EP: 038

MICHELLE SMITH

UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBERS WITH A DIVORCE FINANCIAL ANALYST

If you left the more complex issues of financial planning to your spouse during the marriage, navigating the numbers during the divorce settlement process can be incredibly intimidating. You may need considerable time to process any financial proposal brought to the table, and you would benefit from professional support in understanding what the numbers mean—and whether or not you’re going to be okay when it comes to money in the aftermath of the divorce.

Michelle Smith is the CEO of Smith Financial Strategies Group, the divorce financial team that other professionals turn to. One of the leading Certified Divorce Financial Analysts in the industry, Michelle has spent 25 years providing guidance and expertise in the realm of personal finance. She is a member of the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, a Divorce Mediator, and the co-author of Divorce and Your Finances.

Today, Michelle joins Katherine to explain how and why she carved out a niche as a personal finance expert in the divorce space. She shares insight around the enduring discrepancy between men and women when it comes to the economic balance of power in a marriage. Michelle speaks to the way men tend to view divorce negotiations as a business deal and the necessity of educating the spouse who is less sophisticated in the realm of complex financial issues. Listen in to understand the ‘unfairness’ of divorce and learn why Michelle cautions couples to consider their goals before choosing a course of action.

TOPICS COVERED

Michelle’s niche as a personal finance expert in the divorce space

How Michelle employs user-friendly financial modelings

Michelle’s insight on the discrepancy around economic balance, power in marriage

  • Many women chose not to handle ‘complex financial issues’
  • Inequality when it comes to understanding the numbers

How men tend to see divorce negotiations as a business deal

The necessity of taking time to educate the ‘non-sophisticated spouse’

The potential for intense dysfunction in communication during the divorce process

Michelle’s no-nonsense take on the ‘unfairness’ of divorce

Why divorcing couples should consider their goals before choosing a course of action

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE SMITH

Smith FSG

Email msmith@smithfsg.com

CONNECT WITH KATHERINE MILLER

The Center for Understanding Conflict

Miller Law Group

Katherine on LinkedIn

The New Yorker’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce by Katherine Miller

Email katherine@westchesterfamilylaw.com

Call (914) 738-7765