Going through a divorce is a very difficult experience. It can also be a very confusing time, but there are resources available that will provide you with the clarity that you need.
How did you get here?
While you were building a life with your spouse, you made many decisions that encompass the standard of living that you now enjoy, the assets that you have, and how you financed your life. While you were making those decisions you worked with many other professionals along the way to make personal business decisions.
First you decided how you would earn your income. You may have worked with career coaches or recruiting professionals as you and/or your spouse established your career(s). Someone may have advised you on the importance of planning for your retirement and helped you establish a plan that could include a 401K, 403B, and/or a pension. Those decisions provided income for your current needs as well as income you will enjoy later.
You also had to have a place to live. This was a huge decision that could not be taken lightly. Where you live impacts all aspects of your life. How long will it take you to get to and from work? Where will your children go to school? What type of neighbors will you have? Where will you shop? Where will you go for entertainment? How much will it cost and how will you pay for it? You probably worked with a realtor, a mortgage broker, possibly contractors and decorators, movers, and a real estate attorney.
You and your spouse had to determine what your standard of living would be? Will you be a spenders or savers or a bit of both? Did you seek advice from a wealth manager or investment advisor? As you acquired things along the way how did you pay for them? Did you use credit or savings? Do you have investments? Do you have debt?
As you journeyed through life, did you start your own business? What are your goals for the business beyond generating an income? Do you have an exit strategy? What role does your spouse play in the business and/or decisions about the business? Did you seek advice from your CPA, banker, business attorney, or an equity group? How did you finance the business? What did you do with the earnings in excess of what you need for your ‘salary’? Did you invest the surplus in growing the business and/or invest in your personal nest egg? How are business taxes paid?
It Takes A Village
So many questions. The list could go on and on. Perhaps some of the situations felt overwhelming as you were going through them, but you made it through with the help of many professionals along the way. Now, as you are going through a divorce, you have the same types of questions and decisions to make. One of the biggest differences is that you have to make those decisions in a relatively short period of time when you are not emotionally or mentally at your best. This is why we say that it takes a village. You deserve to surround yourself with a team that will help you understand all of the emotional, financial, and legal aspects of your life, help you arrive at the best settlement possible, and then help you build your new life.
Where do I Start?
You will want a team of professionals to support and advise you. Your team should provide you with the information and tools to make informed decisions for the future.
At Mitchell Hayes, we address the business aspects of your life to provide you with financial clarity to make informed decisions. We will help you organize and understand the income, expenses, assets, and debts. Mitchell Hayes will develop settlement scenarios that will empower you to make informed decisions about your financial future. We will also provide child support and alimony calculations where appropriate. We can work with your attorney and provide them with financial analysis and expertise that enable them to achieve the best possible settlement for you. Mitchell Hayes will also provide you with budgets that will guide your future financial decisions and ensure that you have the resources you will need post-divorce to ensure that your future financial goals will be met.
As Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™, we are here to help and ensure that you have a better outcome. Please call Mitchell Hayes at 404-870-9040 to schedule a consultation.
© 2017 Mitchell Hayes