Collaborative Law Center of Atlanta

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When you are ready for help, call us at (404) 475-0333 or contact a professional from our directory	Financial Experts as Collaborative Law Professionals Some of the biggest decisions made during a divorce involve the division of the family’s assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Choices will impact clients’ finances for the rest of their lives. Just as attorneys work to advise on the legal aspects of divorce and the mental health professionals support the emotional aspects, the financial experts bring education, knowledge, strategies and answers in the financial and tax aspects. By using financial experts, clients will be well-positioned to make the critical, and often irrevocable, financial decisions required during the divorce process. What can the Financial Experts do to help create an optimal financial settlement? Provide financial education to parties with less experience or knowledge in this area Collect and organize documents relating to the family’s assets, liabilities, income and expenses Prepare the marital balance sheet Prepare future budgets Assess each party’s needs post-divorce and suggest settlement options that can accomplish them. Determine which assets and liabilities are marital, and which are separate In cases where marital and separate assets may have been commingled, trace the assets to help determine what portion is marital versus separate Determine the value of assets such as a business, pension, stock options, real estate, collections or other tangible assets Obtain life, disability, health, long-term care, homeowners and auto insurance that will need to be replaced or obtained as a result of the divorce. Advise on how to divide assets and liabilities in a way that meets each person’s needs and illustrate the results of different settlement options Make recommendations about alimony and child support and illustrate the results of different options Create financial and/or tax projections that show each party the financial results of any given settlement proposal Identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate taxes for both parties, whether income, capital gain or estate. Recommend options to protect assets for your children Think creatively to suggest financial solutions that improve the financial security of both spouses. Choosing a financial professional that has the right experience, training and credentials for a situation is important. Using only those trained in Collaborative Law is essential. And just as the mental health experts have different areas of specialization (i.e. some work more often with creating parenting plans, others with coaching the parents through their divorce), so do the financial experts. Attorneys can assist clients in choosing the financial expert or experts that will fit their needs and personality.

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals www.collaborativepractice.com CLCA members are all members of the International Academy of Collaborative Practice

Collaborative Law Center of Atlanta, Inc.

1756 Century Blvd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30345

(404) 475-0333

www.collaborativelawatlanta.com

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