Divorce can be devastating both emotionally and financially not only to the individuals involved but also to their children, family, friends, and employers.   These impacts, if not addressed early, may ultimately complicate the remaining years of their lives.

Terry’ background as a CDFA and Real Estate Broker provides her with the training, experience and the understanding of how to obtain an equitable financial settlement.

CERTIFIED DIVORCE FINANCIAL ANALYST (CDFA)
Terry’s goal is to assist the divorcing clients by working with their respective attorney’s to understand how the financial decisions they may make today will impact their financial futures.

By becoming a part of the divorce team Terry provides the litigation support for the attorney and client on financial issues such as:

The short-tem and long term effects of dividing property:
The tax issues;
Analyzing pension and retirement plans (including present value calculations) ;
Evaluating the cost basis, capital gains and relative financial impact of  the sale/transfer of the marital home
Examining the insurance needs of the client, and determining if the client qualifies for COBRA;
Projecting earning capabilities;
Establishing assumptions for projecting inflation and rates of return; and
Ensuring that all required documentation related to financial transactions are completed accurately and on time.

REAL ESTATE BROKER

Terry has held a real estate broker’s license for more than 18.  Divorce Real Estate Broker Specialist, Terry works as an expert real estate consultant and advisor, both in listing and/or as a buyer’s agent to prospective divorcees in both litigation and the co-mediation legal process. As a neutral participant, Terry focuses on the financial well being of both parties. Her experience as a court-appointed listing agent, expert witness, mediator/collaborator and her continual work as a financial expert in divorce cases enables her to bring to the table both the empathy and understanding necessary to affect a satisfactory outcome to these legal proceedings.

SMALL BUSINESS APPRAISER
 

Terry is assisted by a Small Business Appraiser in valuing a client’s assets that may be held in sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, LLC’s, or sub-S corporations.  The types of businesses utilizing these business structures range from retailer operators (e.g. dry cleaners), real estate related (e.g. apartments, commercial developments) to professional practices (e.g. medical, legal, and accounting). The appraiser reviews available financial and operational data, including pro-forma statements and provides an estimated market value for the assets in question.

MY APPROACH 

Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)

 As an attorney’s CDFA assistant I will perform the following roles:

Strategist/Litigation Support:  Generate and educate the attorney on the various different divorce financial settlement outcomes.

Financial Expert:  Review and give input on investment data, retirement plans, benefit programs, business records, tax returns, and all other financial data

Data Collector/Budget Preparer:  Meet with the client and help them collect and prepare the financial affidavit and pre and post divorce budgets

Client Expectation Manager: Assist the client in developing a realistic expectation of the future based on the couple’s current financial situation.

Evidence Presenter:  Meet with the client; the client and his /her attorney; the client, spouse and attorneys; mediation sessions; arbitration hearings of trial to present evidence to show the financial impact of different settlement options or information related to financial, tax, investment or retirement plan issues.

Real Estate (Broker) Divorce Specialist

Client’s Orientation

Meet and educate clients on the home selling process
Discus and exhibit charts and surveys on the current market trends
Review and provide a list of minor maintenance items that may impact the price
Assist in staging the home for optimal marketability
Develop a marketing plan and on-going follow up
Discuss the weekly status report format that will used to update attorneys and both husband and wife

Transaction Process

Market the home aggressively, leaving no stone unturned (follow plan)
Provide weekly follow-up to attorneys and both husband and wife, that will include a Trend Matrix Graphs, Comparative Market Analysis and Status Report (Getting Started)
Communicate with both clients equally and impartially to come to agreements on numerous matters of negotiation from listing appointment to close of escrow

Each case is unique, and in addition to the above mentioned items, I will commit to performing beyond your “expectation” when helping your clients through their  real estate transaction. 

If Required

? Handle interim housing arrangements. Arrange for repairs to be made, includingmeeting and negotiating with repairmen

Help both clients find a new place to call home