What Does a CDFA® Do? (What a CDFA® Actually Does)

If you read Part 1 of this series, you now know what a CDFA® is. But knowing the title and understanding the work are two very different things. So in this post I want to pull back the curtain and show you what it actually looks like to work with one.

Because here's what I've found. Most women come to me knowing they need help. They just don't know what kind of help, or where to start. And a lot of times, they're so overwhelmed by the time they find me that their brain can barely think past today, let alone think about retirement accounts and tax implications and QDROs.

So we start small. On purpose.

First, we get the full financial and expense data picture.

When you come to me, the very first thing we do is figure out what we’re working with. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®), I guide clients through the divorce process by gathering every financial document tied to your marriage. Tax returns. W-2s. Bank account statements. Investment accounts. Retirement accounts. Insurance policies. All of it. That review includes financial disclosures and a comprehensive financial analysis of assets, liabilities, and financial responsibilities, so we can start making sense of the financial matters ahead with real expertise.

I know that sounds like a lot. And it is. But here’s how I handle that so it doesn’t crush you, especially when divorce financial planning feels overwhelming. I send you a checklist. A short one, just the essentials to start. We tackle it in small, bite-size pieces so you’re never staring down a mountain of paperwork all at once. One thing at a time. Then the next thing. Then the next.

I’ve had women tell me, “I at least didn’t cry today.” And they said it like it was a win. It is a win. Getting through this without completely shutting down is the goal, and the way we get there is by never asking you to carry more than you can handle at one time.

Then we go deeper.

Once we have the documents, we start really looking at them, beginning with your financial disclosures as part of a comprehensive financial analysis. And this is where a CDFA® earns her keep, because what looks straightforward on paper almost never is.

We look at your spouse’s financial records too, not just yours. As part of divorce financial planning and getting a handle on all financial matters, we gather records for every account, asset, debt, and income source. This gives you a clear understanding of your assets, liabilities, and financial responsibilities. If there are assets that have been underreported or undervalued, we find them. We look at every account, every asset, and every liability so you can see the financial implications, weigh settlement options, account for tax consequences, and make informed decisions.

Most women going through divorce don’t know what they have, what he has, or what any of it is truly worth. By the time we’re done with this part of the process, you will, with a better view of your financial future and accurate valuation of marital assets, not just a stack of paperwork.

We also prepare you for your certified divorce financial analyst® and your attorney.

This is one of the most valuable things I do, and most women don’t even know to ask for it.

Before you walk into a meeting with your attorney, we prepare together. Once the documents are in, we use that deeper review to build a clear understanding of the financial implications of each major choice. I walk you through exactly what’s going to be discussed, what questions you’ll likely be asked, and what answers you need to have ready. We answer everything in a low-pressure environment, before the clock is running and the stakes feel impossible.

Think about it this way. You wouldn’t walk into the most important financial conversation of your life without preparing. What looks straightforward on paper almost never is, and a settlement that seems fair at first can shift once tax consequences and long-term outcomes are modeled. But most women do, because nobody told them they didn’t have to. Part of my role on your divorce team is to provide insights that help you and your attorney spot financial issues early and make stronger financial decisions.

That’s what I’m here for. I also assist by evaluating settlement options through long-term forecasting, including how property division and support payments may affect retirement and long-term wealth. Cash flow projections can simulate income and expenses for each spouse over 10 to 20 years.

Lifestyle analysis can help estimate realistic alimony or child support and prevent costly mistakes, like keeping the marital home when it is no longer affordable. That way, you can make data-driven, informed decisions about your divorce settlement and your financial future.

And we do all of this one step at a time for your financial future.

The process I use is comprehensive, meaning nothing gets missed. Part of that preparation is giving you clear insight into the financial issues most likely to come up with your attorney, so you can organize facts, review expenses, and make better decisions before each meeting. But it’s also built to keep you from ever feeling like it’s all crashing down on you at once. Every checklist, every conversation, every document request is designed to move you forward without overwhelming you.

Because here’s what I know to be true. You are more capable than you feel right now. You just need someone to walk through it with you, one step at a time, as part of your divorce team and with your financial goals and long term financial goals in view. This can also help improve communication between spouses around money by giving each spouse a neutral third party focused on the numbers. While hiring a CDFA® may feel like an additional expense, the goal is to help you avoid costlier mistakes later. When needed, I can also provide litigation support or expert testimony.

*I’m Julie Jenkins, CDFA® and CFP®, and founder of Guided Divorce, with relevant experience helping clients make informed financial decisions during divorce. If you’re ready to understand what working together would actually look like, schedule a free call and let’s talk.

‍