Why an Attorney and Financial Professional Are Priceless in the Collaborative Process
By Attorney Ann Newman & Brenda Larkin CDFA
The collaborative process includes a team of professionals: an attorney for each party, a neutral financial professional and a mental health coach. Each professional offers a unique prospective and is extremely helpful.
The role of the attorney in a collaborative divorce is to:
- Educate you about the law;
- Help you navigate the legal process; and
- Help you come up with workable options to resolve all of the parenting and financial issues.
The neutral financial professional is priceless, especially in the divorces of couples married a long time. Often these marriages have more complex financial circumstances. In part, the role of the financial professional is to:
- Educate the parties about the financial intricacies of their case;
- Avoid overlooking financial assets, i.e. identifying premarital and/or retirement vehicles;
- Evaluate tax liabilities of assets;
- Provide clarity and strategies for child-related issue, i.e. tax credits, educational issues; and
- Empower parties to make educated decisions
Working with a Financial Professional (CDFA) provides you with a clearer view of a long-term marriage’s financial picture and an analysis with realistic expectations for the couple’s financial future.
Attorney Ann Newman
Brenda Larkin
