Dr. Judith Gerhart, CFP
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst 
Finance
« Previous ArticlesStart with the Numbers
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009
Divorce is traumatic no matter how much goodwill is still remaining or how much money is at stake. The decisions that you make during this time can have a significant impact on your future financial security so take the time to educate yourself and refuse to be pressured or rushed into important financial decisions. The [...]
Money and Divorce: Part 3
Saturday, August 1st, 2009
4. Summarize your assets and liability information by creating a Net Worth Statement so you have a full picture of your finances.
5. Consider what your expenses will be when you are living on your own. Start by looking at how much you have spent in the past then make adjustments for your change in circumstances. [...]
Money and Divorce: Part 2
Friday, July 31st, 2009
Once your immediate financial needs are dealt with, it is time to determine what professional financial or legal assistance you might need. Do you already have an “independent financial advisor” to help you? If not, ask for referrals - ideally from someone who has recently been separated and is in a similar financial situation to [...]
Money and divorce – Start with the Numbers
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
While there’s no getting around the hurt and pain of separation or divorce, understanding the financial implications of a break-up can save you time, money, and grief - and the sooner you consider how your finances will be affected, the better. If your spouse handled the money in the family, it’s crucial that you begin [...]
Divorcing Couples Trying to Save Money
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
Uncertain economic times are leading to an uneasy truce in the War of the Roses, as divorcing couples try to save some money - and perhaps some dignity.
With retirement accounts in tatters and homes losing value, many couples are dividing debt, not assets. The last thing they want is a mountain of legal bills to [...]
Fear: Identity Theft
Sunday, June 7th, 2009
Americans have a great deal of fear of identity theft and for good reason. It can wreck havoc on your personal finances. Mistakes on your credit report, however, are far more likely and can severely damage credit ratings.
Consumers find more than 13 million inaccuracies on their credit reports each year, according to Consumer Reports, Those [...]
Fear: Stock Market Crash
Saturday, June 6th, 2009
While visions of the Nasdaq tech crash still haunt some of us, the reality is, your biggest worry should be
getting mediocre returns from your investments. People often abandon the buy-low, sell-high principle
when they need it most. Good markets make many investors feel invincible so they don’t sell or
rebalance. When markets decrease and prices are low, [...]
Financial Confidence For Facing Divorce
Monday, June 1st, 2009
With the combination of later marriage, divorce, widowhood and longevity, almost 90 percent of women
will end up managing their finances alone at some point in their lives, according to the Department of
Labor. A strong base of financial knowledge can prepare you for that responsibility, regardless of when it
comes.
Unfortunately, when a divorce happens, there’s little value [...]
Finances for Surviving Spouses
Sunday, May 31st, 2009
The abrupt changes in the financial picture can be among the most stressful issues for widows and
widowers. For younger spouses, especially those with children, the sudden and long-term loss of income
can be frightening. Others may feel a false sense of confidence from lump-sum payments of insurance or
retirement plans and overspend. In fact, among widows, 25 [...]
A Safe Place to Grow Your Money
Saturday, May 30th, 2009
It’s not every day that you find the opportunity for potential growth with true safety in the same financial
vehicle. Usually investors are compelled to make one of two choices, either they give up a degree of
safety in exchange for a greater potential for growth or they accept less growth in exchange for a higher
degree of [...]
