What differentiates your business from other specialists in the field?

The Financial Knot offers cash flow projections (a future picture of your income and expenses) to help clients know how the decisions they are making will affect their future. The other professionals in divorce are hired to assist with putting together a legal agreement. It’s not their job to tell you how it will impact your future. Our work continues after divorce to manage our clients’ financial lives.

What is your biggest challenge?

Sometimes people think we are in competition with attorneys, but nothing could be further from the truth. Every client needs to understand his or her legal rights. Our work with attorneys is powerful. We come alongside when financial concerns emerge, such as pension calculations, lump-sum spousal maintenance calculations, investment expertise (our team has 40 years of experience), and more.

What is the latest trend in your business?

We now facilitate Qualified Domestic Relations Orders. We acquire retirement plan documents during the divorce process and, therefore, have the documents needed to facilitate the QDRO much quicker than traditional providers. We also advise clients accordingly on pension payout issues.

How has your life experience made you successful in your field today?

Having gone through a divorce many years ago, I know “brain-fog” is real, and I remember trying to make sense of “divorce math” that does not feel fair. You are being asked to make decisions that will impact the rest of your life while being paralyzed from all the stress. My personal experience enables me to help others faced with these concerns.

How has the Columbia community benefited from your business?

Our clients tell us they feel empowered to make decisions and supported throughout the process because they receive coaching on the appropriate divorce mindset and professional team support continuing after the agreement  is finalized. Our families reap the rewards for creating their own solutions and keeping peace between family members. We turn the fear and doubt our clients are facing into peace and confidence.