Products & Services

Divorce and separation can be emotionally challenging and financially devastating. That's why it's important to approach it with a clear head and a solid plan.

Divorce/separation planning can be complex, so it's wise to seek the help of professionals who have expertise in the area. They can provide guidance and support, helping you navigate the complexities of the legal and financial issues involved in divorce/separation. Planning for the future can help you move forward with confidence, and secure a better financial future for you and your family.

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU
Here are some of the highlights of this service:

• Taking an asset inventory: When an intention/notice to divorce or separate is served (whether it’s as a result of your own initiative or initiated by your spouse/partner), we’ll help you make a full and verifiable inventory of all assets held in your and your spouses’/partners’ names. While this might seem like a relatively “straightforward” task, many find it one of the most challenging aspects of a divorce/separation – especially if they have largely been insulated from the day-to-day finances of the relationship
  
  
• Assessing impacts of joint beneficiary/survivorship: In situations where couples have announced their desire to divorce or separate, the “normal” rules governing joint ownership assets may not apply.  We’ll help you understand what your rights are, as survivor/beneficiary, and what you can do to best protect/enforce those rights
  
  
• Disposing your assets: With everything going on in such trying times, you need someone to ensure all of the assets under review are disposed for the most fair and equitable consideration. Our experts can help!
  
  
• Alimony, child-support and other assistance needs: Divorce/separation cases where children are involved, where spousal or child support may be payable or due, or those involving other forms of financial assistance, can be extremely complex. We’ll help you navigate the myriad of laws and statutes around such rights/responsibilities
  
  
• Dealing with pension benefits, health plan coverage and other benefits: Our experts can help you make sense of other benefits that may accrue to you, or payable by you, as a result of your divorce/separation. Some of these might not be immediately apparent – but could have long-term impact on your or your partner/spouse’s financial life
  
  
• Planning your future cash flow, income and spending: If you always played a minor role in managing finances during your relationship, it can be difficult doing so when you are divorced/separated. Let us help you create a new financial road-map for you
  
  
• Settlement of debt: Even though you might not have full-say in the financial decisions during your association, you may be responsible for discharging the liabilities – like debt – arising from them in divorce. We’ll advice on the best way for you to deal with your share of such debt
  
  
• Insurance considerations: Even though couples might soon be divorced, there may be longer-term implications from existing insurance policies or plans that you/your spouse/partner need to be aware of
  
  
• Dealing with tax implications of separation: It’s important to assess what the total net worth of your joint assets is, what considerations you could inherit as a result of sale/disposition, and what the tax impact might be. Our experts will also review your past tax returns to determine the most tax-efficient way to structure a post-divorce/separation settlement
  
  
• Establishing your independent identity (new bank accounts, separate credit history): Now that you will go your own way, you need to emerge from the shadow of your partner’s/spouse’s financial profile, and establish your own. We can offer you practical advice on how to most effectively and painlessly accomplish that

From career-woman to wife/partner, and from caring mom to single-motherhood, separation and divorce – women go through more transitions during a lifetime than most of us realize. And through it all, women often juggle several balls simultaneously, doing the best they can, while often hoping for the best. However, LIFE HAPPENS, and that’s why we’re here to help women navigate through all of those transitions safely and securely.

WHY TRANSITION PLANNING AND SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT
Women are often considered the more “resilient” of the sexes – and for good reason. But with so many different hats to wear – some of them simultaneously – there’s always the risk that you might make some missteps.  

Whether it’s the challenge of starting a family, managing a career, paying for that new home, funding your child’s education, dealing with separation or divorce, or acting as caregiver to an aging parent – you need help as you transition through all of those roles.  And that’s exactly what our caring, experienced and qualified professionals are here to provide you.

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU
Our multi-disciplinary teams come together to offer women the right type of transitioning planning and support.  It could be sage advice through a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™), the measured wisdom of a Certified Financial Planner (CFP™), the knowledge of a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS), the expertise of a Certified Estate Planner™ (CEP®), or the experience of a veteran Insurance planning professional. No matter what your needs are, we have the experience to help you through every transition in your life. 

Here’s a preview of what our Women in Transition planning and support service covers:

• Our experience, backed by statistical evidence, shows us that most women aren’t as “plugged-in” to the family finances as they ought to be.  So, when the disability or sudden death of a spouse leaves women facing an unplanned transition into the role of family Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – most are ill prepared! Our trained and certified professionals will help you through these uncertain times
  
  
• Women facing separation or divorce often face a crisis of identity, that’s compounded by the fact that they feel overwhelmed by the financial implications of this stage of their lives. Transitioning from married to single-again often results in financial challenges (some rather acrimonious!) that most women find stressful. Without the right professional advice, uninformed decisions can be made that could leave you and your dependent family members (children or wards) at a huge disadvantage for the rest of your lives   
  
  
• A woman transitioning into yet another phase of her life might need to consider moving house, downsizing, or taking on a second mortgage. Our loan and mortgage specialists can offer you a variety of ingenious options to address those needs
  
  
• Women in transition have a whole set of financial challenges and needs that are unique only to women. But you don’t have to go it alone. From making investment decisions, to dealing with divorce and separation mediation, arbitration or litigation, to planning for life after widowhood, divorce or separation, to assuring a secure retirement on your own terms – our experienced team of women advisors are here to help!