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Divorce Comparisons: Side-by-Side Guides

Divorce forces you to make decisions between options that seem similar but have very different financial outcomes. These 7 guides break down the most common “this vs. that” decisions with real numbers.

Process & legal

Mediation vs. Litigation
Cost, timeline, control, and which process works best for your situation.
ProcessCost
Mediation vs. Litigation: Cost Breakdown
Detailed financial comparison of mediation and litigation costs by complexity.
CostGuide

Housing

Keeping the House vs. Selling
The real math behind keeping vs. selling the marital home after divorce.
HousingCalculator

Alimony & support

Lump Sum vs. Monthly Alimony
Tax implications, risk, and which structure works better for each side.
AlimonyTaxes
Alimony vs. Child Support
How they differ in calculation, duration, tax treatment, and modification rules.
AlimonyChildren

Assets & investments

401(k) vs. Brokerage Account
Which assets to fight for based on tax treatment, penalties, and long-term value.
RetirementTaxes
Community Property vs. Equitable Distribution
How the two property division systems work and which states use each.
Property50 States
Run the numbers yourself
→ Settlement Calculator→ Alimony Calculator→ Housing Calculator→ Compare Two Settlement Offers (Pro)

From uncertainty to clarity in 3 steps

No account required. No credit card. Just your numbers.

01

Enter your numbers

Settlement amount, income, expenses, alimony, house — takes about 2 minutes. Everything runs privately in your browser.

02

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.

03

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.

Built on objective, deterministic financial models

Every projection is deterministic — same inputs always produce the same outputs. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you provide.

Deterministic Math EnginePublished Tax & Actuarial DataEducational Tool Only
Free to explore

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.

View Sample AnalysisNo sign-up required

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.

Free
$0
Year-by-year projection
MOST POPULAR
Pro · 30 Days
$19
Know what your settlement is worth
Pro · 6 Months
$89
Cover your full negotiation timeline
Run My Numbers — Free

Not financial or legal advice. DivorceSmart is an educational planning tool. Always consult a qualified attorney and financial advisor before making settlement decisions.

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From uncertainty to clarity in 3 steps

No account required. No credit card. Just your numbers.

01

Enter your numbers

Settlement amount, income, expenses, alimony, house — takes about 2 minutes. Everything runs privately in your browser.

02

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.

03

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.

Built on objective, deterministic financial models

Every projection is deterministic — same inputs always produce the same outputs. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you provide.

Deterministic Math EnginePublished Tax & Actuarial DataEducational Tool Only
Free to explore

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.

View Sample AnalysisNo sign-up required

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.

Free
$0
Year-by-year projection
MOST POPULAR
Pro · 30 Days
$19
Know what your settlement is worth
Pro · 6 Months
$89
Cover your full negotiation timeline
Run My Numbers — Free

Not financial or legal advice. DivorceSmart is an educational planning tool. Always consult a qualified attorney and financial advisor before making settlement decisions.