Navigating the Financial Fallout of Divorce: A Guide for Women

Whether you are preparing for a divorce or your divorce was recently finalized, you may find yourself wondering how to survive the divorce financially. At 3 Financial Group, we want to support you through this massive financial and emotional time in your life. We have put together a guide with expert tips and strategies for women navigating the financial fallout of divorce.

Understanding Your Financial Situation During Divorce

Divorce is a very stressful time, both emotionally and financially. It is crucial to take some time to understand your financial situation before you begin the divorce process. This will help you make informed decisions about your finances, protect your assets, and decide how to prepare for divorce.

Determining Your Assets and Liabilities

The first step in understanding your finances is to determine your assets and liabilities. This includes everything you own, such as your home, car, retirement savings, and investments, as well as everything you owe, such as credit card debt, student loans, and mortgages. You can use a financial calculator or spreadsheet to track your assets and liabilities.

Managing Joint Accounts and Debts

If you have joint accounts with your spouse, such as a checking account or credit card, you will need to decide what to do with them. This could mean closing the accounts altogether. If you have joint debt, such as a mortgage or car loan, you will need to decide how to pay it off.

Budgeting for Post-Divorce Life

Once you have a good understanding of your finances, you can start to create a budget for your post-divorce life. This will help you track your income and expenses and make sure you are able to afford your basic needs. You may want to consider working with a financial advisor to help you create a budget and develop a financial plan for your future. Financial planning for women has special considerations that a financial advisor can help you account for.

Negotiating Your Divorce Settlement

One of the most significant aspects of divorce is negotiating a settlement agreement. This agreement will outline the terms of your divorce, such as child custody, child support, alimony, and division of assets and debts. An attorney can help you negotiate a fair and equitable settlement, but for your own information, this is what you should know ahead of time.

Work with a Divorce Financial Planner

A divorce financial planner can help you understand your financial situation and develop a plan for your post-divorce life. They can help you with things like budgeting, debt management, and retirement planning. At 3 Financial Group, we specialize in guiding women through divorce with financial and emotional support.

Divide Assets and Debts Fairly

When you divorce, you will need to divide your assets and debts. This can be a complex process, as you will need to consider factors such as the following: 

• The length of the marriage
• The income and earning potential of each spouse
• The age and health of each spouse
• The needs of any children of the marriage
• The contributions of each spouse to the acquisition of the assets and debts
• Any misconduct by either spouse

Consider Spousal Support and/or Child Support

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is financial support that one spouse pays to the other after a divorce. Child support is financial support that one parent pays to the other to help support their children after a divorce. The amount of spousal support and child support that you will pay or receive will depend on several factors, such as your income, your spouse’s income, and the needs of your children.

Rebuilding Your Finances After Divorce

A divorce can break down every aspect of your life, but you’re also presented with an opportunity to build it back up to your benefit. Here are some tips on how to rebuild your finances after divorce.

Create a Financial Plan for the Future

Once your divorce is finalized, take some time to sit down and create a financial plan for the future. This plan should include your goals for retirement, savings, and debt repayment. You can do this on your own or with the support of a financial advisor.

Build Your Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is a savings account that you can use to cover unexpected expenses, such as a job loss, medical emergency, or car repair. Having an emergency fund can help you avoid going into debt during difficult times. Make sure to dedicate this savings account to unexpected expenses only and resist the urge to dip into it for unnecessary purchases.

Invest for Your Retirement

Retirement planning is important for everyone, but it is especially important for women who are going through a divorce. If you are not already contributing to a retirement account, now is the time to start.

Key Takeaways

Divorce is a burdensome experience that takes a toll on your finances as well as your emotions. These are the takeaways to remember when you are dealing with the financial aspect of your divorce:

• Organize your finances and assets to better understand what you own to make informed decisions about your negotiation settlement and your financial future.  
• Negotiate a settlement that includes child custody, child support, alimony, and a fair division of assets and debts to set yourself up for the future.
• Create a new financial plan that includes an emergency fund and retirement plan.
• During the process, be prepared, be reasonable, be flexible, and be patient.

Remember, you are not alone. Countless people have gone through a divorce and come out stronger on the other side. With time, support, and effort, you can rebuild your life after divorce. If you are a woman looking for financial support through your divorce, contact 3 Financial Group for more information on how we can help you through this treacherous time.