EP 01: Get Organized During Divorce
In this episode of the Divorce and Your Money Show, I’ll introduce myself to any newcomers and explain what this show is all about. Then we’ll talk about getting organized, which is a critical step early in the divorce process. It can be overwhelming but I’ll help you through it.
Why does Divorce and Your Money exist? Put simply, my goal is to guide you as you navigate the complex business of divorce. Financial mistakes that you make during your divorce can cost you for the rest of your life. Divorce is complicated – emotionally, legally and financially.
I’m Shawn Leamon, MBA. I’m a Divorce Financial Analyst, which means that I’m a financial planner who specializes in divorce. I’ve helped negotiate over $200 million in settlements for clients who I’ve worked with directly (not including the tens of thousands of people who listen to this podcast). I want to help you get through your divorce in the best manner possible.
On this site, you’ll find numerous resources:
- Podcast: This podcast covers almost every divorce topic imaginable. If I’m not an expert in a particular subject, I invite one onto the show – accountants, attorneys, divorce coaches, mediators, parenting experts, and so on. There are over 30 hours of podcast episodes in the archives to help you through this process.
- One-on-one coaching: I’ll work with you one-on-one, regardless of where you live in the US. I’ll help you understand your financial picture, negotiate the best settlement possible, and plan for your life after your divorce. I work on a fixed-price basis, so you don’t have to worry about paying by the hour.
- Blog posts: I have detailed blog posts talking about the financial aspects of divorce. In particular, check out my blog posts on ways that attorneys screw up financially in divorce. Attorneys are great for negotiating your settlement and informing you of the local laws, but sometimes they make expensive financial mistakes that will cost you for years to come. I want to help you avoid those mistakes.
- Courses: I offer a course to help you prepare for divorce called “Steps to Take Before Divorce.” I also offer a course called “How to Get a Divorce Without Losing Everything,” where I go over 12 common divorce mistakes and how to avoid them.
- Book: I have a book available on Amazon called “Divorce and Your Money: The No-Nonsense Guide.” I’ll discuss some of what’s in the book in a moment.
These resources are all at your disposal as you navigate the divorce process. Feel free to email me with questions, comments, concerns or feedback at shawn@divorceandyourmoney.com. I read everyone’s email, and I’ll reply to you as soon as I can.
Now, on to getting organized for your divorce. You should start organizing your financial information early in the divorce process. In the first chapter of my book, you’ll find checklists to help you get organized. Basically, you’ll need documentation for everything you own and everything you owe. You’ll need to document your income with 3-5 years of tax returns and at least a year of paystubs. You’ll need statements from all of your bank accounts, investment accounts, loans or other debt. Real estate, personal property, and any insurance policies will also have to be documented. For the complete checklist, email me at shawn@divorceandyourmoney.com, and I’ll send you the first chapter of my book for free.
All of these documents will help get an accurate picture of what your life was during the marriage. You’ll use these documents to prepare a financial affidavit, which is an overwhelming, time-consuming document that will be nearly impossible to fill out correctly unless you’re organized. The financial affidavit will help determine spousal support, division of assets, child support, and custody arrangements. Without getting organized, your divorce is sure to be more messy and complicated than it needs to be. It’s best to spend the time up front to get everything together so that your divorce can go as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Thank you for listening to the Divorce and Your Money Show. Visit us at www.divorceandyourmoney.com for 1-on-1 coaching and be sure to check out the NEW courses Steps to Take Before Divorce and How to Get a Divorce without Losing Everything.
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