At best, divorce is a time of distraction in one's life, when emotional and family concerns take center stage and financial issues often take a back seat. Yet divorce is one of the biggest triggers of bankruptcy in a world where bankruptcy has gotten a lot tougher to file. That means that financial planning is crucial when a marriage breaks up.

Anyone filing divorce should seek the help of financial and tax advisers as well as attorneys skilled in divorce, experts say, because financial issues that get pushed to the background eventually can take a surprising and disastrous toll on the newly single ex-spouse and his or her children.

Planning

• Taking Inventory of Your Marriage in Divorce
• What Divorce Planning Insights Should You Know About Support Obligations?
• Reaching a Suitable Divorce Resolution Option for Your Family
• Financial Planning Matters for Amicably Tackling a Divorce Settlement
• Creating an After-Divorce Action Plan to Provide More Gold for the Golden Years
• Divorce? Financially Prepare Yourself
• The Biggest Financial Mistakes People Make in Divorce – and How to Avoid Them
• How Can a Divorce Financial Planner Help You with Your Resolution?
• Getting a Divorce? Avoid Common Financial Mistakes
• How to Handle a Divorce Settlement

Family Issues

• Divorce and Your Special Needs Child
• Financial Planning for Your Special Needs Family in Divorce
• Relocating With Children After Divorce
• Financial Planning for Relocation During Divorce
• Are We There Yet? Making Summer Plans for Your Kids When You are Divorced
• College Planning Tips and Guidance for Divorcing Parents
• A family member has been ordered to pay child support to her former spouse. Where should she derive the funds from?

International Divorce

• Financial Planning Insights for International Divorce
• Divorce Across Borders

Additional Resources

• Assessing Your Retirement and Employee Benefits During Divorce
• The House Decision in Divorce
• Tax Issues and Divorce Financial Planning Considerations
• Retirement Planning Insights for Divorcing Baby Boomers
• Retirement Considerations When Divorcing
• The Perfect Storm: Divorcing Baby Boomers
• The Idea of Remarriage During Divorce and Estate Planning Complications
• Divorce and Estate Planning for Future Blended Families
• Dividing the Nest Egg in Divorce
• What Common QDRO Mistakes Should You Avoid in Your Divorce?
• Getting a Divorce? What It Means for Your Business
• For Love & Money: Divorce-proofing Finances in a Domestic Union (Part 2)
• For Love & Money: Divorce-proofing Finances in a Domestic Union (Part 1)
• Divorce Planning: Understanding Retirement Plan Distribution Options
• I became separated last year and my ex-spouse wants me to file jointly and split the refund. Do I have an obligation to include him?
• How a Financial Planner Can Help You ... and How to Choose the Right One Brochure (PDF | 2.59MB)