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Smart Divorce Decisions: Your Resource for Financial Stability
Helping women organize, protect, and rebuild their finances during and after divorce.
Divorce brings major life changes — and understanding the financial side of divorce is essential to building a stabile future. At Smart Divorce Decisions, LLC, we created this blog to provide women with clear, practical financial guidance before, during, and after divorce.
Here, you'll find resources to help you organize your finances, protect your assets, plan for retirement, and move forward with confidence. Whether you're just starting to think about divorce or are rebuilding your life after it, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and strategies you need to make smart, informed decisions.
Explore our latest articles and take the first step toward financial clarity and confidence.
Want More Clarity in Your Attorney Meetings?
Divorce attorney meetings can feel overwhelming. Learn how I help women prepare financial documents, affidavits, and priorities so every meeting is clear and productive.
Read More5 Financial Mistakes Women Make After Divorce
Divorce may be over, but the financial decisions you make afterward are just as important. Many women underestimate how much their money habits, expenses, and future planning change once the papers are signed. Here are the five most...
Read MoreDivorce Financial Checklist: What to Do in the First 90 Days
The first 90 days after divorce set the stage for your financial future. Use this divorce financial checklist to update documents, track cash flow, and protect your credit.
Read MoreShould You Keep or Sell the Home After Divorce?
The marital home is often the biggest asset in divorce. Explore whether to keep, sell, or refinance after divorce, including tax rules and mortgage requirements.
Read MoreDivorce Trends 2025: What Women Need to Know
Divorce trends in 2025 show rising gray divorce, financial stress as a top cause, and more women seeking financial clarity earlier. Learn what every woman should know.
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Divorce & Kids: 3 Hidden Expenses
Divorced moms know child support doesn’t cover everything. From braces and sports fees to school trips, shared expenses for kids can pile up fast after divorce. Learn how to plan, track, and divide these costs so you can protect your budget
Read MoreI never thought I'd say this, but....
Yesterday, I was on the phone with my Ex discussing the kids and making some decisions together. I asked him if he was going to get married again (he's going through a second divorce), and he said "not for awhile." That's when I said it.
Read MoreLife After Divorce: How to Strengthen Your Retirement
Divorce can reshape your financial future—especially your retirement. Learn steps to protect your independence, from updating beneficiaries to exploring Social Security and long-term care options. Start building financial stability today.
Read MoreHow Divorce Affects Social Security Benefits for Women
Divorce can impact your Social Security benefits in important ways. Learn how divorced women can maximize their benefits and protect their retirement income.
Read MoreBefore You Hire An Attorney....
Thinking about divorce? Learn why organizing your finances before hiring an attorney can save time, reduce legal fees, and help you secure a fair settlement. Start with clarity and confidence—your future depends on it.
Read MoreFinancial Checklist for Women After Divorce
Managing your finances after divorce can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Use this essential financial checklist to organize, protect, and plan your future.
Read MoreDividing Retirement Accounts During Divorce
Learn how retirement accounts are divided during divorce, including key mistakes to avoid and how to protect your future financial stability.
Read MoreOrganizing Your Finances Before Divorce
Preparing for divorce starts with organizing your finances. Learn the key steps women should take before filing for divorce to protect assets and plan ahead.
Read More5 Financial Mistakes Women Often Make During Divorce — and How to Avoid Them
Divorce can lead to costly financial mistakes. Learn the 5 most common missteps women make during divorce—and how to protect your wealth, protect your future, and move forward with confidence. Read more from Smart Divorce Decisions.
Read More“You’re Divorced… Now What?
Finally. The papers are signed, the hard decisions were made—your divorce is officially final. Whether you feel relief, sadness, or a bit of both, take a breath. You’ve made it through the hardest part. Now, it’s time to take a few...
Read MoreEstate Planning and Prenuptial Agreements
I have seen firsthand the emotional and financial turmoil that can arise when proper planning is not in place. Estate planning and prenuptial agreements are crucial when children from a previous marriage are involved.
Read MoreA Heartbreaking Lesson
Life has a way of teaching us lessons in the most unexpected and often painful ways. Recently, I experienced a loss that has profoundly impacted me, both personally and professionally.
Read MoreThe Power of Mediation
Recently, I had the opportunity to assist a client in a mediation session. This experience highlighted the importance of mediation and the critical role of financial analysis in achieving a fair and equitable settlement.
Read MoreEmbracing Life and Finding Happiness
I spend a lot of time helping women navigate the financial complexities of divorce. Here, I step away from the professional side and give you a glimpse into who I am and what brings me joy.
Read MoreHow to Recover from Financial Abuse
In my practice, the most common type of abuse I see is financial abuse. Usually, my client is not even aware she's being abused because there's no physical violence happening.
Read MoreLeaving an Abusive Marriage
I once had a client who spent a year on her friend’s couch because she left her husband with no financial preparation. Her attorney immediately drafted a separation agreement to distribute the property, but her husband dragged things out.
Read MoreA High-Conflict Communication Method
I've discussed a few contentious situations I've had with my ex in previous blog posts, and I wanted to share my key takeaways from a recent session I attended on "Managing High Conflict Personalities," given by Bill Eddy.
Read MoreHome-buying After the NAR Settlement
After my divorce, I rented a townhouse while I saved money to make a down payment on a new home. It took me two years to save the money for a down payment--and that did not include the Buyers' Agent Commission.
Read MoreHow Life Insurance Helps Me Plan For Retirement After Divorce
I want to share how life insurance has become a key part of my strategy, giving me the freedom I’ll have in my retirement years without the nagging concern of how my spending will affect the legacy I wish to leave for my loved ones.
Read MoreEmpowering Yourself Through Financial Education
I wanted to share a few insights into mastering the basics of personal finance, which helped me navigate my post-divorce world with more confidence and control.
Read MoreCoping with Financial Stress
Having gone through a divorce and helping many women as they go through their own, I know firsthand the tremendous emotional and financial strain it can place on anyone. I hope these insights gathered on my journey can help you too.
Read MoreCelebrating Mother's Day
Managing finances as a mom post-divorce is a balancing act that requires patience, perseverance, and a lot of planning. I share some financial tips that have empowered me to face the future with confidence and to ensure financial stability.
Read MoreRebuilding Your Financial Future
Rebuilding your financial future after divorce requires a careful reassessment of your current situation and a strategic approach to planning ahead.
Read MoreNavigating Gray Divorce Difficulties
Many anticipate their later years will be spent enjoying the fruits of a long career, the comfort of a familiar home, and the assurance of a nest egg for retirement. Yet, this gets complicated when splitting assets in a gray divorce.
Read MoreRetirement Assets In Divorce
The division of retirement assets can significantly affect your long-term financial health. It's not just about splitting assets down the middle; it's about understanding the true value of these assets.
Read MoreEarly Signs of Financial Abuse
Financial abuse doesn't always start with overt actions; it often begins subtly, making it difficult to recognize until the situation has escalated. Understanding these early warning signs is crucial for early intervention and prevention.
Read MoreFinancial Advocacy Before Negotiations
As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, I serve as a financial advocate for my clients going through divorce. It's a perspective informed by my personal experience.
Read MoreThe Hidden Reality of Financial Abuse
In my years of helping women navigate through and beyond divorce, I've encountered a deeply troubling yet often invisible issue: financial abuse. It's a stark reality that financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases...
Read MoreFinancial Freedom Through Divorce
Over the years, I've had the privilege of hearing many powerful stories. I recently interviewed close to 100 inspiring women, and they provided invaluable insights into women's unique financial planning needs during and after divorce.
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Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
Divorce, while often viewed through a lens of challenge and adversity, can also be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and financial empowerment.
Read MoreSmart Spending and Money Management
After my divorce and as a financial advisor, I've seen firsthand how the transition to a single-income household can be overwhelming, and how managing finances effectively becomes more crucial than ever.
Read MoreBudgeting with Love and Strength
Managing your finances might feel overwhelming, but it's a crucial step towards financial independence and stability. Think of budgeting not just as number crunching but as an act of self-love and empowerment.
Read MoreNegotiating Alimony
Alimony's not about the numbers; it's about securing your financial future and peace of mind. In this post, I'll guide you through understanding and negotiating alimony, offering insights from my professional and personal experience.
Read MoreEducation: Planning for Your Children's Future
It's been a big week at our house--both my son and my stepson have been accepted to their first choice colleges! We've been working on their FAFSAs and looking at admission packages, and talking about loans and scholarships.
Read MoreFinancial Steps to Consider Before Filing for Divorce
Deciding to divorce is never easy, but being financially prepared can make the process more manageable and set the stage for a more secure future.
Read MoreFinancial Resolutions for Single Women
As the new year begins, I'm reflecting on the journey of personal transformation, particularly for newly single women. Going through a divorce is not just an emotional upheaval, it's also a significant financial turning point.
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Financial Stability Through Divorce
I remember how much time I spent researching the steps I should take and the questions I should be asking my attorney when I was first separated. Looking back, I realize how much easier it could have been...
Read MoreNurturing Your Well-being for Better Financial Decisions
Self-care and financial wellness might seem like separate realms, but they are deeply intertwined. As women, we often tend to put others' needs before our own, and especially during the holidays, it can be a particularly stressful time.
Read MoreCelebrating the Holidays without Debt
As a Financial Advisor, I've witnessed countless scenarios where the holiday season becomes a financial burden for many families, especially those navigating through life-changing events like a divorce. It's understandable that parents...
Read More10 Reasons Why Disability Insurance Should Be in Every Separation Agreement
In my last blog post I reviewed what disability insurance is and why it’s so important to have. Disability insurance is the answer to when you suddenly find yourself as the primary breadwinner and others, such as your children,...
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Why Disability Insurance is a Critical Tool in Your Post-Divorce Toolbox
Why Disability Insurance is a Critical Tool in Your Post-Divorce Toolbox We're coining December as Disability Insurance Awareness Month, and it's an opportune time to dive into the significance of disability insurance. This...
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Securing Your Children's Future: Establishing a Revocable Trust Post-Divorce
In tandem with obtaining a life insurance policy to replace an alimony obligation and a child support obligation, establishing a trust dedicated to benefiting your children ensures that they will be provided for after your death.
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Securing Your Children's Future: The Importance of Life Insurance in Separation Agreements
Securing your children's future in the event of your death includes making sure their other parent is able to maintain their lifestyle. #divorcedonedifferently #healthyco-parenting
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Securing Your Children's Future: The Importance of Life Insurance in Separation Agreements
Including life insurance to cover a child support obligation is a powerful tool in a separation agreement proposal. Find out why. #divorcedonedifferently #healthyco-parenting
Read MoreSocial Security and Divorce
A discussion of Social Security and your rights after divorce, and before marriage.
Read MoreSending kids to college, or not
I used to think I wanted my kids to graduate from college debt-free. Now that I'm facing the realities of a mid-life divorce and what that did to my retirement savings, I'm of a different mind. This blog discusses how I'm handling it.
Read MoreFinancial Literacy Series--Investment Accounts
The final post in a financial literacy series discussing different financial products and how they can be used to meet certain needs and to play different roles in your plan. Are you ready to take on market risk?
Read MoreFinancial Literacy Series--Disability Insurance
The fourth post in a financial literacy series discussing different financial products and how they can be used to meet certain needs and to play different roles in your plan. How can disability insurance protect you post-divorce?
Read MoreFinancial Literacy Series--529 Savings Plans
The third post in a financial literacy series discussing different financial products and how they can be used to meet certain needs and to play different roles in your plan. How do you consider a 529 plan in a divorce settlement?
Read MoreFinancial Literacy Series--Annuities
The second post in a financial literacy series discussing different financial products and how they can be used to meet certain needs and to play different roles in your plan. How can an annuity provide guaranteed income in your retirement?
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Financial Literacy Series--Whole Life Insurance
The first post in a financial literacy series discussing different financial products and how they can be used to meet certain needs and to play different roles in your plan. How can whole life's tax advantages benefit you in retirement?
Read MoreAlimony--A Different Perspective
A discussion of alimony--what I think spouses should consider when negotiating alimony, and my recommendations for how to address alimony for your financial stability after divorce.
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Child Support & Shared Expenses
Poke the bear, and she'll come out growling. It's important to choose your battles wisely, and this blog discusses child support, shared expenses, Court Orders and how I dealt with my Ex's refusal to send his child support payment.
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Choose Your Battles Wisely
Choose Your Battles Wisely Co-parenting lasts a lot longer than the divorce negotiations, and I think it’s important to remember that as you’re choosing which battles to fight during the settlement negotiations.
Read MoreFour Divorce Resources
Moving from grief to acceptance was a game-changer for me during my divorce. Making a list, and using these four resources will help you find purpose and hope.
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