Taking the Next Steps Post-Divorce: Step Two

Consider Your Divorce Financials as the Next Step Post-Divorce

When all you want to do is put the paperwork away and forget about the divorce, take the time to consider your divorce financials instead.

One of the incidents that led me to focus as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) happened in my wealth-management practice several years ago. A woman came in to see me, bringing with her a copy of her husband’s 401k, two years after her divorce, asking how she could get the half of the balance she had been granted in the divorce. Her attorney had negotiated the settlement, but the next step, to actually transfer the funds, was not the attorney’s role. The client simply did not know how to do the next thing.

Clients often wake up the morning after their divorce agreement has been signed expecting that everything will be different, just because the agreement has been signed. They are usually no more prepared to deal with the hands-on practical issues involved in dissolving their economic partnership the next day, than they were when negotiations were still underway. They still need the help and support of their divorce team to move on.

Here are a few of the general issues that clients face, post-divorce. Each case is different, and everyone may not need to deal with every item on the list. Some will need all; all will need some.

Cash Assets and Your Divorce Financials

This includes checking accounts, savings accounts, credit union accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, securities, stock options, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, U.S. Savings Bonds, precious metals, currency, and cyber currency.

• Consider: Where are statements sent? Change of address? Remove spouse’s name? Open new accounts in single name? Change any beneficiary designations, and check agreement for restrictions. Are you still comfortable with your current financial advisor? Any conflict of interest? (Deal with investment suitability below) Make any arrangements that are needed for the transfer of funds.
• What documentation is required to transfer the funds? Is it a simple withdrawal and transfer of joint funds? What are the additional documents needed? Both spouses may need to sign the withdrawal. A stock power, with signature guarantee (not just notarized) may be required. You may need the services of a financial advisor/CDFA® to assist with the paperwork.

Deferred Income Assets

These include pension and profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b), 457 plans, deferred compensation, SEPs, SIMPLEs, savings plans, Keogh plans and IRAs (Roth and Traditional), stock options, incentive plans, annuities, and cash balance plans.

• What does the agreement provide for each of these assets and what needs to be done? Beneficiary designations can now be changed, does the agreement have any restrictions? Where are statements sent and is a change of address needed? Are letters of instruction for change of ownership required?

Determine Your Distributions Post-Divorce

• Motor vehicles – Remember motor vehicles, boats, airplanes, motorcycles, recreational and other vehicles. Do titles need to be transferred? Insurance separated? What kind/how much insurance? Refinance to be done of loan? Keys returned? E-ZPass account separated and tags turned in?
• Jewelry and collectibles – e.g. stamp, coin, gun, camera, sports memorabilia or other collection of almost any item. Is it in the possession of who gets it under the agreement? Has it been properly insured?
• Real estate – Refinance? Mortgage? Home Equity? Who pays? Current bills? Tax deductions? Judgment search? Escrow refund? Tax adjustments? Tax exemptions – remove or add? Have you changed locks, garage door openers and the alarm code? If the marital home is for sale, who pays for repairs? How is the price negotiated? How are proceeds divided? What if it doesn’t sell right away?
• Business and professional interests – How are they addressed in the agreement? Will there be a buyout lump sum versus stream of payments? How will they be made? When? Secured? How? Do changes need to be made with State for any licenses?
• Frequent flyer and rewards programs – Will there be a transfer? Buyout? When? Who is responsible for this? Have you changed the email and on-line passwords/accounts?
• Safe-deposit boxes – In whose name? Where? Empty the box/get the keys.
• Personal property – When will you exchange/remove? Notification? Any triggers if not done? Will there be mediation if it’s not resolved?

Securities offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Davis Financial and Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. are separate entities.