A client came into my office the other day in tears. She was just about to sign papers to purchase her new home, but was now feeling unsure of her decision. My client was in the middle of negotiating her financial agreement and wanted to prepare herself for the fresh start she desired once her divorce became final.

After a few more tears and 30 minutes of talking, she began to understand how the “emotional divorce” could impact “the legal divorce.” What this means is that there are two sides of divorce to wade through — the emotional and the legal. Divorce is upper-case Emotional, and if not managed properly, it can wreak havoc on the legal process and financial outcomes. While it would be really nice if the two elements could be handled one after the other — you could spend a few years dealing with the emotional issues, and then, heart and head clear, go through the legal process — but the truth is that emotions and legal processes cannot be clinically separated, and usually have to be managed at the same time.

To read the rest of my article which appeared on The Huffington Post, click on the link

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deborah-moskovitch/the-finances-of-divorce_b_1214050.html

Get Through Your Divorce While Saving Time, Money – and Your Sanity!

The Smart Divorce Resource ToolKit is designed specifically to meet your needs — to help reduce stress, educate and inform you about the divorce process in a cost-effective, easy to understand way. Guidance and information from leading family law lawyers, mental health professionals, and parenting experts well versed on the needs of those in the divorce process are included.  And, it’s put together in one smart package, making it uncomplicated, and effortless to understand.  This program has also  been endorsed by the foremost  Judges, Lawyers and Mental Health Professionals. And, this ToolKit was praised by Justice Harvey Brownstone on his popular TV show Family Matters http://www.familymatterstv.com/why-families-matter and http://www.familymatterstv.com/how-to-be-smart-about-divorce

Move Through Your Divorce with Focus, Hope and Confidence 

The Smart Divorce Audios

These unique and informative CDs provide tips and strategies to help navigate this difficult time, educate listeners about the divorce process and provide practical information on getting through it with focus, hope and confidence.

• Audio 1 – The Emotional Divorce
• Audio 2– The Legal Divorce
• Audio 3 – Smart Co-Parenting: Putting Your Children’s Best Interests First
• Audio 4 – Rebuilding Your Life Post Divorce

Smart Guides

Tip sheets that guide you through divorce specifics, covering a myriad of helpful topics – empower yourself with information and knowledge.

Smart Guides:

• Planning for a Smart Divorce
• Getting Your Finances Organized for Divorce
• Coping with the Stress of the Emotional Divorce
• How to Increase Your Ability to Cope When Divorcing
• Understanding Your Divorce Options
• Finding a Good Divorce Lawyer
• Smart Co-Parenting
• Living Separate and Apart
• Strengthening the Blended Family Bonds
• Divorce Financial Check List
• Understanding Marital Property Laws
• Important Financial Steps Required to Prepare for Divorce

The finances of divorce and how they are managed and worked through during the divorce process can significantly impact your post divorce future.  Tune in to understand the most common mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

Topics in this program include:

• How to make decisions based on facts, not emotions
• How to create a realistic post-divorce budget
• The impact of joint debts
• Protecting your income streams
• Considering the long-term consequences of your choices
• Developing your dream divorce team

By: Randy Morrow

Certified Real-estate Divorce Specialist

The family home represents comfort and safety, and when divorce starts looming the immediate reaction is to look to that which is comfortable and safe.  The home.

This reaction is not gender-specific, although I don’t believe I would be courting any controversy if I said the wife is the partner who generally wants to keep the home, especially if children are involved.

Let’s assume it is the wife.  There is no doubt it is usually better for the family if the old family home remains the family home.  But (and this is a huge But) should she stay in the home?  Can she afford to stay in the home?

The decision to stay in the home is generally based on pure emotion.  Very little thought is placed on the reality of staying in the home.  This is where a professional becomes increasingly important.  They can add Reality to your surreal situation.

How, you ask?  By helping you compile a list of the financial obligations you will be facing.  In many cases, the husband may have been paying the bills and you just knew they were being paid without giving any real thought to the actual costs.  In today’s world, with so many women in the workforce and salary gaps gradually narrowing, the woman may have been paying the bills and the man has no clue.

Here are some items you MUST consider, they won’t go away just because you want them to.  You also must consider the ramifications.  For instance:

Insurance:  health, life, automobile.  OR, which one would you be willing to give up?

Utilities:  gas, water, oil, electricity, phone(s)—cell phones, home phone, internet, etc.

Groceries & eating out.  Just think about it, you might not have to go out to eat anymore.

Automobile:  Normal wear & tear repairs; fuel; norm maintenance; new tires.  And…how old is your current vehicle; how much longer will it last?

Home:  Age of the roof?  How long until the home needs to be repainted?  What is the current condition of the home?  In this day and age, is the mortgage higher than the value of the home if/when it comes time to sell?  Will you have the time or inclination to keep the yard mowed and hedges trimmed and flower beds de-weeded?

Clothing.  You AND the kids.  If the kids are under eighteen, it’s a safe bet they are constantly growing out of their size; fashions are changing; they are becoming more independent but still looking to you for spending money.

Children’s Extracurricular Activities.  No matter their age or where you live, the kids will be involved in some activity.  And there are always costs involved.  Hidden costs also, such as payment to see their games.  And don’t forget, your other kids will want to go also.

Credit.  Here’s one you probably haven’t thought about, especially if you have been the stay-at-home parent.  Have you kept established credit or have a current payment record?   Do you have perfect credit but your spouse has some ‘issues’?  This will affect you if you haven’t taken steps beforehand to separate yourself from them.

The Dreaded Unknown.  This is the worst category as far as I’m concerned.  Unknown can wreck every plan you’ve made in an instant, and at any time.  A plumbing leak for instance.  Maybe a fender bender in the car.  There is simply no way to accurately budget for the Unknowns.

None of this is what you want to hear; but if you lie to yourself or bury your head in the sand, the divorce will seem tame compared to the disaster to follow should you get the home and find out soon after that keeping the home was just not realistic.

Wait, you said, I’m going to be getting child support.  There are two things to think about: a) what if you don’t receive the payment? b) Remember, the other spouse is going to be facing the same adjustments you are.  Kind of risky to base your delicate financial balance on this, eh?

There are many more things to consider when making decisions about keeping the divorce home or selling it or consenting that the other spouse to have the home.  If you really want it, I hope things work out for you.  My hope is that you will now see this issue in a clear light and make a safe and sound decision for yourself and your children.

I have been fortunate that my message not only continues to be endorsed, but promoted by so many professionals in the divorce arena.  They further assist with my divorce education on the many aspects of the divorce process — on topics from putting your children’s best interest first to finances, from managing your emotions to rebuilding your life post-divorce and so much more.  And, they provide a forum for me to share this learning.

My role model for taking risks and being a trailblazer in the divorce arena is Justice Harvey Brownstone. Justice Brownstone is an outspoken Judge who speaks passionately about divorce, families and the impact on society without hesitation. Educating the public about divorce, and other family matters seems to be his mission. I was honored to be a guest on the show for another guest appearance this summer.  I was first interviewed when the show premiered last year. For a preview of what we discussed in my second interview, click on the link below.

http://www.familymatterstv.com/2011/07/debra-moskovitch-on-family-matters/

And, to hear the first interview click on this link below:

http://www.familymatterstv.com/2010/08/the-smart-divorce/

Jeff Landers talk about protecting you assets.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/6108555-idea-of-divorce-101-angers-many-happily-married-men/

To learn more about preparing yourself financially, you won’t want to miss this interview on The Smart Divorce on Divorce Source Radio.

Our guest, Jeffery Landers advocates for women. Jeff is a Divorce Financial Strategist and the founder of Bedrock Divorce Advisors, LLC, a divorce financial strategy firm that exclusively works with women, who are going through, or might be going through, a financially complicated divorce.  Jeff reviews the Top 6 Serious Financial Mistakes Women Make.  But, men can learn some valuable lessons here as well.  Jeff advises “put your emotions on the side and think financially.”

Topics in this program include:

• The top 6 serious financial mistakes made during divorce
• The important steps to organize your finances and maintain control
• Preparing for your financial future
• Financial considerations to ensure long term financial stability
• How to avoid divorce settlement mistakes
• Divorce proofing your business

Click on the link to hear this very informative discussion

http://www.divorcesourceradio.com/how-women-can-avoid-making-serious-financial-mistakes-before-during-and-after-divorce/

The Smart Divorce® Resource Tool Kit is now available, order yours today– one easy phone call or email, to get this valuable resource.  It’s one of the  most comprehensive programs providing a full overview of the divorce process — and endorsed by judges, lawyers, and mental health professionals.  The Smart Divorce Resource Toolkit will help you make smart decisions for you and your family – taking you through the entire divorce process, removing the mystery and misconceptions about the outcomes of divorce, how to cut down on your legal bills and so much more.

This comprehensive resource  provides an understanding of all aspects of the divorce process; helping you understand the two sides to your divorce – the “emotional divorce” and the “legal divorce”

Move through your divorce with focus, hope and confidence.

The Smart Divorce Resource Toolkit makes the divorce process easy to understand, helping you to be strategic while making sound, smart decisions.  After all, information is knowledge and knowledge is power.

   Call 905 695 0270 or email info@thesmartdivorce.com to get your copy of The Smart Divorce Resource Toolkit. 

Included in The Smart Divorce Toolkit are tips, strategies and ideas, packaged as never seen before.  This smart toolkit comes with:

The Smart Divorce Resource Toolkit is designed specifically to meet your needs — to help reduce stress, educate and inform you about the divorce process in a cost effective, easy to understand way. Guidance and information from leading family law lawyers, mental health professionals, and parenting experts well versed on the needs of those in the divorce process are included.  And, it’s put together in one smart package, making it uncomplicated, and effortless to understand.

The Tool Kit contains 4 CDs covering the myriad of issues, concerns and questions most people have about divorce – removing the mystery, complexity, and confusion about divorce.  Also included are Smart Guides which add another layer of detail to The Smart Divorce Audios, and provide a step by step plan for going through the divorce process.

The Smart Divorce Audios. 

These unique and informative CDs provide tips and strategies to help navigate this difficult time, educate listeners about the divorce process and provide practical information on getting through it with focus, hope and confidence.

• Audio 1 – The Emotional  Divorce
• Audio 2– The Legal Divorce
• Audio 3 – Smart Co-Parenting: Putting Your Children’s Best Interests First
• Audio 4 – Rebuilding Your Life Post Divorce

Smart Guides.

Tip sheets that support the information in the audios providing detail and understanding of the specific topic.

Smart Guides:

• Planning for a Smart Divorce
• Getting Your Finances Organized for Divorce
• Coping with the Stress of the Emotional Divorce
• Coping with Stress in a High Stress Environment
• Understanding Your Divorce Options
• Finding a Good Divorce Lawyer
• Smart Co-Parenting
• Living Separate and Apart
• Strengthening the Blended Family Bonds
• Divorce Financial Check List
• Understanding Marital Property Laws
• Important Financial Steps Required to Prepare for Divorce

Don’t delay, order your kit today

Call 905 695 0270 or email info@thesmartdivorce.com to get your copy of The Smart Divorce Resource Toolkit.

This valuable Tool Kit is designed to reduce stress, educate and inform about the many aspects of the divorce process, and is cost effective and easy to understand.

Divorce or a breakdown of a co-habitation relationship is an extremely emotional process. While divorce is a personal matter the emotional impact can spill over into the workplace suddenly making it a public affair. There are so many unknowns about divorce that people are often confused, filled with fear and unsure of how to navigate the process.  In an effort to better heal and deal with divorce process privately, many individuals seek therapeutic counseling.  However, not all therapists are equipped to help their patients understand the specifics of divorce to alleviate many of their concerns i.e. the legal process, financial impact or custody and access issues.  As a result, an individual’s world is temporarily turned upside down, triggering unsettling and distressful emotions. The effects of the emotional distress in the workplace can be devastating.

On a classic rating scale of stressful life events, divorce consistently ranks No. 2–second only to the death of a spouse or child. The process of getting divorced is an emotional roller coaster which can impact people’s ability to be mindful on the job. Although divorce is primarily a personal heartbreak, the effects spill into the workplace; at the extreme – costing one to lose their job – not to mention a good portion of their wealth, and it can even affect the organization’s reputation.  People often feel overburdened and lack confidence; it is not surprising how many buckle under the pressure.

It is well documented that divorce reduces worker productivity.  If one were to do a cost benefit analysis of the effects of divorce in the workplace, one would find that the financial costs to the organization can be enormous.

I understand only too well how devastating the emotions of divorce can be, taking over the legal process while wreaking havoc on one’s career, causing a meltdown on so many fronts, and  the difficulty in overcoming the challenges  of raising children on your own.  It is for these reasons that I created The Smart Divorce® Resource Tool Kit.    I know how important it is to treat your divorce as a business transaction, and arm yourself with as much information as possible.

The Smart Divorce Resource Tool Kit includes:

The Smart Divorce Audios.  These unique and informative audios provide tips and strategies to help navigate this difficult time, educate listeners about the divorce process and provide practical information on getting through divorce with clarity.

• Audio 1 – The Emotional  Divorce
• Audio 2– The Legal Divorce
• Audio 3 – Smart Co-Parenting: Putting Your Children’s Best Interests First
• Audio 4 – Rebuilding Your Life Post Divorce

Smart Guides.  12 very valuable tip sheets that support the information in the audios and cover other important issues; providing detail, strategies and tips for managing a specific divorce related topic.

In addition to the extensive information available in The Smart Divorce Resource Tool Kit, some organizations may also find it beneficial to offer workshops.  These presentations will provide greater clarity about divorce and managing through the process, in an effort to minimize stress, while maximizing an employee’s attention at work during this often distracting time.

The Smart Divorce® facilitator guided workshop

• Workshop 1- The Smart Divorce.  A 1 ½ hour overview of the divorce process based on the book, The Smart Divorce. The divorce process in explained in broad terms, while providing an understanding of the emotional divorce and the legal divorce
• Workshop 2- Strengthening the Blended Family Bonds.  A one hour presentation focusing on considerations when blending families.

Note: Each workshop includes PowerPoint presentation and facilitator script.

Don’t miss out on the introductory offer and save $50 when you place an order a minimum order of 10 kits.  Or, try it out and order just one Toolkit.

For more information click on the link.   To learn more about this unique and innovative program, and how it may help your organization or practice, please contact Deborah Moskovitch at info@thesmartdivorce.com.

The Smart Divorce Resource Tool Kit _ Flyer

Our guest, Jeffery Landers advocates for women. Jeff is a Divorce Financial Strategist and the founder of Bedrock Divorce Advisors, LLC, a divorce financial strategy firm that exclusively works with women, who are going through, or might be going through, a financially complicated divorce.  Jeff reviews the Top 6 Serious Financial Mistakes Women Make.  But, men can learn some valuable lessons here as well.  Jeff advises “put your emotions on the side and think financially.”

Topics in this program include:

• The top 6 serious financial mistakes made during divorce
• The important steps to organize your finances and maintain control
• Preparing for your financial future
• Financial considerations to ensure long term financial stability
• How to avoid divorce settlement mistakes
• Divorce proofing your business

Click on the link to hear Jeff share help you through the finances of divorce:

http://tinyurl.com/Jeff-Landers