Tag Archives: financial planning

Planning for the Three Phases of Divorce with Stacy Francis (Ep. 5)

Her Divorce Source.. with Leah, , , , , , , , ,

There are three stages you should be planning for when you decide that divorce is the right option.

It’s critical that you do your research, plan, and manage your finances during these three stages to avoid potential issues.

In this informative episode, Leah Jones speaks to Stacy Francis, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and the founder of Savvy Ladies. Leah and Stacy discuss how women should prepare pre, during and post divorce to ensure a smooth transition into their new lifestyle.

Leah and Stacy discuss:

  • Pre-divorce planning tips, including steps to take towards taking full control of your own finances, and talking to a matrimonial attorney prior to divorce
  • Add-on expenses, and what you should focus on when divorcing to assure the wellbeing of your children
  • Your investment portfolio and tailoring it to suit you and meet your needs
  • And more

Connect With Leah:

About Our Guest:

Stacy Francis is the President and CEO of Francis Financial, a fee-only boutique wealth management, financial planning and divorce financial planning firm dedicated to providing ongoing comprehensive advice for successful individuals, couples, and women in transition such as divorce or widowhood.

She is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®), Certified Grief Recovery Specialist® and Certified Estate and Trust Specialist (CES™) with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Stacy is also the founder of the non-profit, Savvy Ladies™, host of the Financially Ever After podcast, and the author of Financial Help for Widows: A Complete Resource Guide as well as Unveiling the Unspoken Truth: The Financial Challenges Women Face During and After Divorce. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Three Emotional Money Mistakes Made By Women During a Divorce With Christine Luken (Ep. 3)

Her Divorce Source.. with Leah, , , , , , ,

The emotional stress of going through a divorce can cause some to act irrationally with their money. It’s important to seek guidance during those trying times to avoid making costly, emotional mistakes.

In this episode, Leah Jones and Christine Luken, founder of Financial Dignity Movement, discuss three emotional money mistakes women make during a divorce. Christine explains what financial dignity means, and highlights the importance of not feeling ashamed to ask questions of people advising you, whether that’s your attorney or financial planner.

Christine discusses:

  • Three emotional money mistakes women make while going through divorce
  • What financial dignity means
  • Why you should have a counselor or therapist you can speak with while going through divorce
  • Why you shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask questions of your attorney or financial planner
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Christine Luken:

Connect With Leah:

About Our Guest:

Ready to master your money and become a financial success? Then you need Christine Luken, the Financial Lifeguard in your corner!

As the Founder of the Financial Dignity® Movement & a Certified Financial Counselor, Christine has coached hundreds of high earning professionals to pay off staggering amounts of debt and massively increase their net worth over the past twelve years.

Christine’s books, Money is Emotional: Prevent Your Heart from Hijacking Your Wallet & Manage Money Like a Boss: A Financial Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs, have landed her almost 100 podcast and TV interviews, establishing her as the authority on money and emotions.

When she’s not coaching clients from her office in Cincinnati, you can find this Certified Divorce Specialist & member of the Financial Therapy Association curled up with a good book, a fluffy cat, and a strong cup of coffee.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Meet Leah Jones, CFA, CFP®, CDFA®, AEP® (Ep. 1)

Her Divorce Source.. with Leah, , , , , , ,

In general, people make bad financial decisions based on emotions. Divorce is one of the most emotionally taxing experiences someone can go through, and often, your finances may suffer at the hands of your emotions.

Welcome to Her Divorce Source with Leah Jones, CDFA®! 

In this episode, get to know host Leah Jones, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®. She shares details about why chooses to help divorcing women manage their finances and investments, and how education plays a big role in the work she does.

Leah discusses:

  • How she got into her role working with divorcing women
  • Who she works with (her ideal client) and why she chooses to work with them
  • What she does for her clients
  • Why education is big component of the work she does
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Leah:

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

BONUS EPISODE: Financial Implications During A Divorce When the Woman is the Primary Bread Winner with Heather Hostetter

Her Divorce Source.. with Leah, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

Meet Heather Hostetter, she is a family law attorney located in Bethesda Maryland with a long list of awards and a partner at Hostetter Strent. This is a domestic relations law that deals with divorce, property distribution, alimony, custody, and child support.

In this episode, Leah speaks with Heather about the process of property distribution during a divorce primarily with alimony and child support when the woman is the main breadwinner.

Listen in to learn the difference between alimony and child support and why they both exist. You will also learn why as a woman; you need to think hard before entering a legal marriage and what to consider before and during the marriage in terms of finances and support.

What you will learn:

  • The factors that come into play before the court awards alimony during a divorce and the types that exist.
  • She explains why it’s difficult for the fault to play part in alimony.
  • The factors that determine how the length of the marriage affects the alimony.
  • The difference between paying alimony and child support and how women breadwinners react to it.
  • She explains the legal consequences of an ending marriage and understanding them beforehand.
  • The alimony negotiations process and what the court has the power to do and not do.
  • How both women and men react to the issue of alimony during a divorce.
  • How child support is calculated and its relationship to alimony.
  • She explains how the child support money is divided to make sure it caters to children.
  • The importance of having a conversation before and during a marriage about the roles of both partners.
  • The purpose of thinking hard as a woman before getting married and understanding the consequences and whether you can live with them.

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HighTowerBethsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

BONUS EPISODE: Is Amicable Divorce Possible w/ Regina DeMeo

Her Divorce Source.. with Leah, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

In this episode, Leah Jones, Director of Financial Planning for Hightower Bethesda, talks to Regina DeMeo, a family law attorney. Regina has worked with family law issues for 22 years, serving her clients to make divorce easier and more cost-effective as they work towards a resolution. She shares what an amicable divorce looks like and the difference between mediation and a collaborative approach. She also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the process.

“If you can’t sit in that meeting and sort of have a clear mind, you shouldn’t be making legal decisions that are going to impact the rest of your life or the rest of your kids’ lives. Someone’s really got to be in a good emotional place and have a pretty good understanding of the issues that we’re about to discuss.” -Regina DeMeo

What You Will Learn:

  • If it possible to have an amicable divorce
  • What does an amicable divorce looks like
  • Mediation vs collaborative approach
  • The difference in costs
  • How the COVID-19 pandemic affects divorce process
  • Why you should look at divorce as an investment and preversing good will

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahPlans4You

Resources:

Visit our website: https://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com

Visit Regina DeMeo’s website: https://www.reginademeo.com/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

BONUS EPISODE: Financial Literacy and Transparency in Marriage and Divorce

Her Divorce Source.. with Leah, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

Meet Meg McKenny, the former founding partner of Delaney McKinney and recently founded McKinney Figini. She has over 27 years of experience practicing family law and is sought after for her negotiations, trial skills, and has made integrity and reliability central facets of her legal practice.

In this episode, Leah is joined by Meg McKinney as she explores the topic of financial literacy and transparency in marriage and divorce. She dives deep into the process she as a family lawyer takes couples through to educate them on how to manage their financial situations.

Listen in to learn the importance of having an open mind when considering a prenup agreement before marriage. You will also learn how divorce law works in the state of Maryland.

What you will learn:

  • How she helps couples understand their financial situation during a divorce process- how the now and the future looks like for their finances.
  • How a client’s tax return shows their financial situation and the process that follows after examining it.
  • She describes the interview she conducts with clients to determine their financial literacy and why they need to get their own credit report.
  • The red flags that show a lack of financial transparency with a client.
  • The importance of financial literacy in marriage and ways in which people hide money with or without leaving footprints.
  • The difficulty of splitting income when supporting two households.
  • The importance of understanding your partner’s financial goals and expectations in marriage through a prenup- making sure you’re reading on the same page.
  • Divorce law in Maryland- understanding how credit card debt and business ownership works.
  • Meg shares her two favorite books that offer help with marriage and relationship management.

Books Mentioned:

  • The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work- John M. Gottman
  • Marriageology: The Art and Science of Staying Together- Belinda Luscombe

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahPlans4You

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.mckinneyfigini.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-mckinney-26111813/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download