By Bronwen Bruch 
It seems so simple! Divide the property in half, use the guidelines to calculate spousal support, and use the tables to calculate the child support. How difficult could that be?
Unfortunately it is like when you are told that all you have to do to lose weight is to “diet and exercise.” Again, the concept seems simple enough. But as many of us know, you quickly find out there are obstacles that get in the way of your success when you go at it alone.
The same goes for separating couples and their finances. The good news is that they don’t have to go at it alone. In the last decade, a different kind of financial professional has come on to the divorce scene. They are Financial Divorce Specialists (FDS) or Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA). Applicants for either accreditation must already have a recognized professional designation in accounting or financial planning. Financial professionals that have an affinity to conflict resolution may also choose to be trained as mediators. And financial professionals that would like to be part of a Collaborative Law Practice Group are required to take the same courses on collaborative procedures that are required of the collaborative lawyers. However, what all of these financial professionals have in common is that they are all able to provide clients with a thorough evaluation of the financial ramifications of divorce settlement options. This is of benefit to the process because the client is being asked to make irrevocable financial decisions during an emotional roller coaster ride.
That is why more and more lawyers, call on these financial professionals to assist their clients in arriving at a settlement. The lawyer may not feel comfortable giving out some types of financial advice. And it isn’t always cost effective; or they aren’t always able to take the time to analyze the future financial impact of alternate proposed settlements, or educate a client that has less financial knowledge.
These financial professionals:
1) Can work with the spouse that is less knowledgeable financially, so that they come into the negotiations on equal footing
2) Organize financial data that comes in from both spouses and prepare various financial documents, and
3) Prepare financial scenarios around future cash flows and net worth
Financial issues in a divorce can be a challenge. This is exaggerated by the emotional turmoil the couple is experiencing. They say that for married couples, financial stress will magnify any bumps in the road ten-fold. So for separated couples, it follows that the financial stress, will be that much worse.
When trying to put together the “dreaded” financial statements or budgets for your lawyer or looking at your spouse’s financials, it can trigger feelings of anger, mistrust, fear and inadequacy. This explains why a client may freeze in the middle of this process. The financials then go on the shelf until the client is ready to face those numbers or “emotional triggers” again.
Individuals, couples, lawyers and family professionals that are interested in “collaboration” enlist these financial professionals. Their approach to a legal settlement includes the usual analysis of the “Valuation Date Needs.” However, there is an additional component which is the analyses of future financial needs. We know that financial stress is compounded by fears about your financial future. In a separation, there is the added resentment that the other spouse will be unduly better off. Adding this future component to the analysis can reduce these fears and resentments, which will help bring the settlement to resolution sooner, which in turn will save time and money for all involved.
Bronwen Bruch, BMath, CMA, FDS
Certified Management Accountant
Financial Divorce Specialist
Family Mediator
The Tax Management Centre
14-2530 Sixth Line, Oakville, ON L6H 6W5
T: 905-257-6528 F: 905-257-4221
bbruch@taxmanagementcentre.com
www.taxmanagementcentre.com