Divorce Financial Planning Blog
Practical financial guidance for navigating divorce. No jargon, no fluff — just the numbers and decisions that actually matter.
Keeping the House After Divorce in Los Angeles
LA home prices make the keep-or-sell decision especially high-stakes. Here is how to run the numbers for a Los Angeles divorce.
NYC Alimony: What to Expect
New York maintenance uses a specific formula. Here is what NYC residents should know about alimony amounts, duration, and taxes.
Dividing Stock Options & RSUs in Divorce (San Francisco)
Tech compensation makes San Francisco divorces uniquely complex. Here is how stock options and RSUs are valued and divided.
International Assets in Divorce (Miami)
Miami divorces often involve assets in multiple countries. Here is how international property, accounts, and businesses are handled.
The Property Tax Trap: Keeping the House in Chicago
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation. Here is the real cost of keeping the house after divorce in Chicago.
No Income Tax Advantage in Divorce (Houston)
Texas has no state income tax, but that changes the divorce math in ways most people overlook. Here is what Houston residents need to know.
Military Divorce Financial Guide (San Diego)
Military pensions, BAH, and the 10/10 rule add unique complexity to San Diego military divorces. Here is how to navigate the financial side.
Starting Over After Divorce in Denver
Denver's rising cost of living makes post-divorce financial planning critical. Here is a practical guide to rebuilding in Colorado.
5 Ways to Protect Yourself Before Filing for Divorce
What you do before filing can determine your financial outcome. Here are five steps to take before you start the process.
Starting Over at 50: A Financial Roadmap
Gray divorce means less time to recover financially. Here is a step-by-step roadmap for rebuilding your finances after divorce at 50 or older.
How to Negotiate Your Divorce Settlement (Without Leaving Money on the Table)
Most people negotiate their divorce settlement without a strategy. Here are seven steps to protect your financial future, from knowing your numbers to avoiding the most common mistakes.
Health Insurance After Divorce: COBRA, the Marketplace, and Your Other Options
Losing your spouse's health coverage is one of the most immediate financial concerns in divorce. Here is how each option works and what it costs.
The Alimony Cliff: What Happens When Support Ends
Alimony does not last forever. Here is how to plan for the day support payments stop and avoid the financial cliff that catches many people off guard.
How Inflation Quietly Destroys Divorce Settlements
A settlement that works today may not work in five years. Here is how inflation erodes purchasing power and what to do about it in your divorce planning.
Social Security After Divorce: The 10-Year Rule That Could Be Worth Thousands
If your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you may be eligible to collect Social Security on your ex-spouse's record. Here is how the rule works and why timing matters.
Why a "Fair" 50/50 Split Can Still Leave You Broke
A dollar in a 401(k) is not the same as a dollar in cash. Here is why equal division does not always mean equal value, and how to compare assets properly.
How to Compare Two Divorce Settlement Offers (Without Getting Confused)
A house worth $400K and a retirement account worth $400K are not the same thing. Here is the framework for comparing properly.
Stay-at-Home Parent Alimony: What Courts Actually Consider
Alimony for stay-at-home parents varies enormously by state. Here are the specific factors courts weigh, from formulas to duration caps.
The Divorce Settlement Red Flag Most People Miss
If you have not projected your settlement forward through retirement, you are making the most common mistake in divorce. Here is the red flag to watch for.
Divorce at 50: Will My Money Actually Last?
Gray divorce has doubled in the past two decades. The financial stakes at this age are fundamentally different. Here is what to plan for.
Not on the Mortgage? Here's What Happens to the House in Divorce
The mortgage and the deed are two different documents. Understanding the difference is critical to protecting your claim to the house.
3 Retirement Account Mistakes That Cost Divorcing Couples Thousands
Splitting retirement accounts in divorce involves QDROs, tax differences, and timing. Here are the three most expensive mistakes and how to avoid them.
5 Hidden Costs of Keeping the House After Divorce
Keeping the family home can feel like a win — until you add up the real costs. Here are the five expenses most people overlook.
What Is a QDRO? Splitting Retirement Accounts in Divorce, in Plain English
A QDRO is the legal document that actually divides a retirement account in divorce. Without one, you could lose tens of thousands to unnecessary taxes and penalties.
How Much Alimony Should I Ask For?
The formula is just a starting point. Here is how to find the amount and duration that actually work for your life.
5 Financial Questions to Ask Before Deciding to Keep the House
The family home is often the most emotional asset in a divorce. But emotion and math rarely agree. Here are the questions that actually matter.
Can You Afford to Keep the House After Divorce? The Real Math
The true cost of keeping the house goes far beyond the mortgage. Here is the real math, including property taxes, maintenance, and opportunity cost.
Can I Afford to Live Alone After Divorce?
The fear that keeps people in unhappy marriages. Here is how to replace uncertainty with an actual answer based on your real numbers.
How Divorce Affects Your Taxes: What Changes and What Doesn't
Divorce changes your filing status, alimony tax treatment, capital gains exclusions, and more. Here is a clear guide to the tax implications of divorce.
What Happens to Your 401(k) and Retirement Accounts in Divorce?
Retirement accounts are often the largest asset in a divorce. Here is how QDROs work, why pre-tax and post-tax dollars are not equal, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
How to Calculate Your Divorce Settlement (And Why It Matters)
A divorce settlement includes more than splitting assets in half. Here is how to calculate what you are actually getting after taxes, inflation, and time.
Alimony: How to Know If the Duration Is Actually Enough
Your attorney says you can get 5 years of alimony. But will that carry you to financial independence? Here is how to think about it.
How Is Alimony Calculated? A State-by-State Overview
Alimony formulas vary widely by state. Some use income-based calculations, others leave it to the judge. Here is how spousal support is determined across the U.S.
How Much Does Divorce Really Cost? A Realistic Breakdown
Divorce costs go far beyond attorney fees. Here is a realistic breakdown of what divorce actually costs, from filing fees to the hidden expenses most people miss.
The #1 Financial Mistake in Divorce (And How to Avoid It)
Most people accept a settlement without projecting it forward. That single oversight is the biggest financial mistake in divorce.
How Long Does Divorce Take? Timelines by State
Divorce timelines range from weeks to over a year depending on your state, whether it is contested, and mandatory waiting periods. Here is what to expect.
The Complete Divorce Financial Checklist: 20 Numbers You Need to Know
Every number you should know before you sign anything. Print it out, fill it in, and bring it to your attorney meeting.
What to Bring to Your First Meeting with a Divorce Attorney
Walking into your first attorney meeting prepared can save you hundreds in billable hours and set the tone for your entire case.
Alimony vs. Child Support: What's the Difference?
Alimony and child support serve different purposes, have different tax treatment, and end at different times. Here is a clear comparison of the two.
Financial Planning for Divorce: A Step-by-Step Guide
A chronological framework for managing your finances before, during, and after divorce. From gathering documents to building your post-divorce budget.
How Assets Are Split in Divorce: Community Property vs. Equitable Distribution
The two systems that govern how assets are divided in divorce work very differently. Here is what each means for your settlement.
From uncertainty to clarity in 3 steps
No account required. No credit card. Just your numbers.
Enter your numbers
Settlement amount, income, expenses, alimony, house — takes about 2 minutes. Everything runs privately in your browser.
See the projection
Get a year-by-year chart showing your net worth from now through age 100. Green, yellow, or red — you'll know where you stand instantly.
Model & export
Test different settlement terms to find which saves you the most money, compare offers side-by-side, and export a report for your attorney.
Every projection is deterministic — same inputs always produce the same outputs. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you provide.
See what a Pro analysis looks like
We built a complete Pro analysis for a fictional person named Sarah. Explore every section — charts, what-if scenarios, risk timeline, negotiation leverage — so you can see what’s included before running your own numbers.
You don’t need a $5,000 CDFA retainer to understand your own numbers
Start with the free projection. If the numbers raise questions you can’t answer, upgrade to Pro for $19 — one-time, no subscription — and discover which settlement terms could save you thousands.
Not financial or legal advice. DivorceSmart is an educational planning tool. Always consult a qualified attorney and financial advisor before making settlement decisions.