How can updating your estate plan make a crucial difference in your life post-divorce?
Your estate plan can be a game-changer in ensuring your financial and emotional well-being.
Estate planning attorney Nancy Weissman delves into the complexities of updating estate plans amidst a divorce. She also discusses the practical steps for revising wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations to protect your assets and legacy.
Key conversations include:
Understand the importance of revising estate planning documents, including wills and trusts, during and after a divorce
Learn how Massachusetts laws, such as the ‘nisi period,’ can impact your estate planning decisions
Discover common pitfalls in trust and estate planning related to divorce and how to avoid them
Get expert guidance on managing beneficiary designations to align with your post-divorce financial goals
Divorce is hard enough—figuring out what to do with your home doesn’t have to feel like another mountain to climb.
This week, Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Estate Planner, sits down with Katie Greeley, Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP), to discuss the options. Whether you’re thinking about selling, refinancing, or buying out your spouse, Gabrielle and Katie break it down in simple, straightforward terms.
From understanding how spousal support fits into mortgage applications to tackling high-interest rates or tricky separation agreements, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make decisions you can feel good about. Because it’s all about helping you gain confidence, clarity, and financial independence as you move forward.
Key Insights:
Why a CDLP Matters: Discover how a CDLP bridges the gap between legal and financial challenges in divorce, offering customized solutions
Deciding on the Marital Home: Should you sell, refinance, or buy out your spouse? Learn how to choose the best path for your situation
Spousal Support and Income Documentation: Understand the requirements for using spousal support as qualifying income for a mortgage
Refinancing in High-Rate Markets: Explore options like HELOCs and second mortgages to minimize financial strain
Drafting Effective Separation Agreements: Ensure your agreement protects you from future liabilities and supports your goals
Short- vs. Long-Term Planning: Make strategic refinancing decisions based on your future plans
Katie Greeley is an experienced mortgage professional with a background in project management and financial services. She brings a well-rounded perspective to her clients. She holds a B.A. from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management.
Active in Greater Boston’s real estate and mortgage communities, Katie specializes in guiding clients through major life transitions such as divorce, loss of a spouse, or relocation. She also helps integrate mortgage financing into broader financial plans, working with everyone from first-time homebuyers to seasoned investors.
Katie focuses on education, communication, and preparation to ensure a smooth, stress-free financing process.
You don’t have to navigate the financial and emotional rollercoaster alone.
This week, Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Accredited Estate Planner, and psychotherapist Oona Metz, bring you a fresh perspective on how to find solid ground and move forward with confidence.
Gabrielle and Oona cut through the noise, breaking down the essentials. They show you why having a rock-solid team—a financial advisor, attorney, and therapist—could make all the difference. Plus, Oona walks you through her five-phase model of divorce grief, from the heart-wrenching early days to the “moving on” stage.
So, tune in as they explore why financial stability and community support aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re must-haves for reclaiming your life.
Key Insights:
Building a Supportive Team: Gabrielle outlines the essential roles a financial advisor, attorney, and therapist play in providing well-rounded support for all aspects of divorce
Emotional Phases of Divorce: Oona shares her five-phase model—Heartbreak, Roller Coaster, Mending, Letting Go, and Moving On—to help women navigate the emotional impact of divorce
Support Groups for Women: Oona’s weekly support groups offer a safe, connected space for women to share, heal, and empower one another.
Navigating Social Shifts: Divorce often brings changes in friendships and family dynamics. Gabrielle and Oona discuss finding support among those who understand the journey
Financial Stability as Empowerment: Gabrielle highlights the importance of financial planning post-divorce, helping clients rebuild with confidence and independence
Moving Beyond Divorce: As time progresses, support group members often find themselves ready to focus on life beyond divorce, embracing new beginnings
Oona Metz is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Group Psychotherapist, and a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, bringing 30 years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups. With private practice offices in Brookline and Arlington, Massachusetts, Oona remains active on numerous committees and boards related to group therapy, prioritizing ongoing learning in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The practice focuses on individual adults and group therapy, specializing in supporting women navigating significant life transitions. Whether it’s transitioning from college to graduate school or work, beginning or ending a relationship or job, becoming a parent or empty nester, or coming out to family and friends, Oona views these moments as opportunities for reflection, insight, and meaningful change.
Divorce is tough enough—don’t let unexpected surprises make it even harder.
Without the right insurance in place, child and spousal support could disappear when you need it most.
Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner, gets real about why life and disability insurance aren’t just “nice-to-haves” but absolute musts in your divorce plan. She breaks down how to make sure support payments are protected, even if the payor becomes disabled or worse. From tips on who should actually own the policy to how to keep coverage up-to-date, she’s got you covered.
Whether you’re in the middle of a divorce or just thinking ahead, tune in and get the insights you need. Don’t leave your future to chance—find out how to plan ahead.
Key Insights:
Life Insurance and Divorce: Early planning is key. Gabrielle explains why having a life insurance policy in place before finalizing the divorce could ensure child and spousal support obligations are met, even if the payor passes away
Disability Insurance Essentials: Learn how adding disability coverage to your divorce agreement could protect support payments if the payor becomes unable to work
Ownership and Control: For added security, Gabrielle advises that the support recipient should own the life insurance policy, allowing control over policy terms and reducing risks such as changing beneficiaries or coverage lapses
Beneficiary Updates: Stay vigilant with beneficiary designations and ensure policies remain active. Gabrielle offers tips for avoiding potential issues like policy loans or benefit reductions
Adapting Long-Term Coverage: Implement step-down provisions for coverage reduction over time or obtain private insurance policies to protect against employment changes
Forward-Thinking Agreements: Anticipate future life events in your divorce agreement to avoid costly legal disputes later. Gabrielle discusses alternatives such as using retirement account beneficiaries if insurance isn’t an option
Proactive Tips for Smooth Transitions: Start planning policies early, check all the details, and work towards a cooperative post-divorce relationship to help reduce conflicts
Sorting out educational expenses can be daunting, especially with the added stress of financial aid rules and safeguarding your child’s future.
Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner, shares practical strategies to help co-parents navigate college funding challenges before, during, and after divorce. She covers essential financial topics, including how to craft comprehensive divorce agreements that address tuition and related costs, make the most of tax-friendly 529 plans, and save money with smart transfer strategies.
Whether you’re in the midst of a divorce or planning ahead, tune in and get the insights you need to confidently handle college funding and protect your child’s educational future!
Key Insights:
College Funding in Divorce Agreements: Gabrielle emphasizes the need for detailed agreements addressing college expenses early in the divorce process, covering tuition, prep courses, travel, and other educational costs. Cost-sharing methods can vary, including 50-50 splits or contributions based on income
529 Plans and College Savings: Discover how 529 plans offer significant tax advantages for college savings and why specifying future contributions in your divorce agreement is crucial. Contributions from relatives like grandparents typically don’t count toward the marital estate, offering additional flexibility
Transfer and Cost-Saving Strategies: Gabrielle discusses cost-saving options like transferring from community colleges to more prestigious schools and highlights the importance of confirming credit transferability. She also explains how summer courses at target institutions can boost admission chances and earn credits
FAFSA Changes and Financial Aid Considerations: Learn how new FAFSA rules prioritize the parent who provides the most financial support, altering financial aid eligibility. Understand the complexities surrounding divorce, remarriage, and step-parents’ financial contributions
Co-Parenting Challenges in Financial Matters: Effective co-parenting requires cooperation in financial aid processes, including filing forms and sharing financial data. Gabrielle recommends including provisions in divorce agreements to ensure future compliance
The Impact of Remarriage on Financial Aid: Explore how a step-parent’s income can influence financial aid calculations and what parents should know before remarrying
The Importance of Comprehensive Agreements: Addressing all potential costs and planning for future changes, such as job loss, can prevent disputes later on. Gabrielle advises consulting with a college financial advisor for a customized plan
This week on Marriage Is About Love Divorce Is About Money®, Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner discusses the financial aspects of divorce, focusing on the division of retirement and non-retirement assets.
She emphasizes the importance of understanding tax implications and the processes involved in equalizing assets during a divorce, covering the distinction between marital and separate property, the complexities of qualified plans, and the necessary steps to ensure a fair division of assets.
Key Insights:
Retirement vs. Non-Retirement Assets: It’s essential to differentiate between retirement and non-retirement assets when dividing them in a divorce
Challenges of Commingling Assets: By keeping a clear record of pre-marital assets and working with your attorney, you can better identify what remains solely yours
IRA Transfers: A straightforward option for dividing retirement assets. A “Transfer Incident to Divorce” can move funds without tax penalties if enough is available in an IRA
Tax Planning in Divorce: When dividing retirement assets, be cautious of tax implications, especially if taking distributions before 59.5 years of age, as early withdrawals can trigger both income taxes and a 10% penalty
The marital home is often the heart of a family — but what happens to it during a divorce?
This week on Marriage Is About Love Divorce Is About Money®, Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner, guides listeners through one of the most emotionally and financially charged decisions in divorce: what to do with the marital home.
Divorce is about more than emotional closure — it’s about smart financial planning. Gabrielle skillfully navigates both the emotional ties and practical realities involved, offering critical strategies to help you make informed decisions about your home’s future.
Whether you’re considering staying, selling, or renting, this episode will equip you with the insights you need to safeguard your financial future and embrace a new beginning.
Key Highlights:
Should You Stay or Go? Gabrielle explains how to weigh your emotional attachment to the home against practical factors like ongoing costs, taxes, and mortgage qualifications
Selling Smart: Learn why it’s essential to get an independent appraisal and how to calculate your net proceeds after transaction costs
Renting vs. Buying: If you’re not ready to buy again, renting may be a smart temporary option. Gabrielle explains when this move makes sense
Joint Ownership: Some couples opt for temporary joint ownership — Gabrielle shares when this might be a beneficial option, especially for families with children
Calculating Home Equity: Get a step-by-step guide to accurately calculate your home’s equity and understand the buyout process between spouses
Enforceable Divorce Agreements: Gabrielle emphasizes the importance of detailed agreements about the home — everything from repairs to realtor selection must be clearly outlined to ensure legal enforceability
Starting Fresh: Gabrielle encourages involving children in the decision-making process and considering a fresh start rather than holding onto the home for emotional reasons
This week on Marriage Is About Love Divorce Is About Money®, Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner, reveals why divorce isn’t just a breakup — it’s a business deal that demands smart, strategic moves.
Tune in as she shares essential steps to protect your financial future, from building a rock-solid plan to staying vigilant with your money. With her guidance, you’ll be equipped to navigate the twists and turns of divorce, ensuring a smooth transition into your next chapter.
Key Highlights:
Building Your Dream Team: Assemble a power squad of experts — attorney, financial advisor, therapist — who excel in their fields and communicate seamlessly to strengthen your case
Taking Control: Start fresh by opening your own bank accounts and credit cards, and consult with a CPA to explore tax filing strategies that protect you from future liabilities
Boosting Your Credit: Safeguard your financial future by monitoring and improving your credit score. This step is crucial as you transition into single life
Mapping Your Journey: Treat your divorce like a road trip. Whether you take the scenic route or the fast track, a clear strategy will keep you on course for a successful outcome
Stay Organized: Use tools like QuickBooks and Dropbox to keep your financial documents in order, ensuring a smooth transition into your new life
Don’t let the wrong attorney derail your divorce – learn how to choose the best advocate for your case.
Navigating the early stages of divorce can be overwhelming, but the right preparation can make all the difference. Join Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner, as she outlines essential steps for preparing for divorce, focusing on the pivotal role of choosing the right divorce attorney.
Key Highlights:
Summer Strategy: Discover how to use the quiet summer months to gather financial documents, reflect, and prepare for the busy divorce season ahead
Top Attorney Tips: Learn the secrets to finding a lawyer who truly champions your cause
Special Needs Focus: Ensure your attorney understands unique family dynamics. If you have special needs children, disabilities, or other specific circumstances, find out how to select an attorney experienced in these areas
Zealous Advocacy: Discover why having a lawyer who advocates zealously is crucial for a successful divorce outcome
Litigation Insights: Understand the complexities of the litigation process, from filing a complaint to the often costly and time-consuming nature of court decisions
Mediation Magic: Learn how mediation can be a faster, less stressful alternative to litigation, allowing you to address specific issues outside of court
Arbitration Uncovered: Find out how arbitration offers a quicker, more private resolution, with binding decisions made by a retired judge or attorney
Winning Advice: Discover the importance of having an attorney who has the time for your case and is open to alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration
Do you know the secret to managing both your heart and your wallet in a divorce?
Explore the multifaceted world of divorce with Gabrielle Clemens. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and a former divorce tax attorney, Gabrielle blends her personal divorce experience with her professional expertise, offering unique insights. This episode, based on Gabrielle’s book, is full of financial guidance and emotional wisdom for those navigating through divorce.
Key Episode Insights:
Emotional and Financial Readiness: Exploring the emotional intricacies of divorce, with a focus on proactive, future-oriented thinking
Essential Support Team: The importance of a comprehensive team – lawyers, financial advisors, and therapists – in facilitating a smoother divorce
Divorce Support Groups: Highlighting the benefits of peer support and shared experiences in divorce support groups
Holistic Professional Support: Discussing the diverse roles and contributions of divorce coaches, CDFAs, therapists, and attorneys in the divorce process
Financial Planning and Organization: Emphasizing the need for efficient financial management, recommending tools like Quicken and Dropbox
Empowerment Through Financial Management: Inspiring listeners to take control of their finances for a more empowered approach to divorce
Upcoming Episodes and Resources: Future episodes promise insights into selecting the right attorney and more!
