Collaborative Divorce
A Collaborative approach to divorce offers the privacy of mediation and the security of having your own advocate to guide you. A typical Collaborative Divorce Team consists of an attorney for each individual, one or two Divorce Coaches and a Financial Neutral like Brenda. Depending on need, other professionals like a Child Specialist may be involved.
What are the fundamental responsibilities and benefits of the CDFA® in a Collaborative process?
Working with you as a neutral CDFA®, Brenda can help you and your spouse to make informed decisions about your financial futures.
As a financial neutral, Brenda compiles, organizes, and educates the couple about the financial information relating to your divorce. They are not on a “side,” rather their role is to help you understand enough about your finances to make informed decisions about your settlement and the impact on your future.
In a Collaborative Divorce
- The parties sign a collaborative participation agreement describing the nature and scope of the matter.
- The parties voluntarily disclose all information which is relevant and material to the matter that must be decided.
- The parties agree to use good faith efforts in their negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable settlement.
- Each party must be represented by a lawyer whose representation terminates upon the undertaking of any contested court proceeding.
- The parties may engage mental health and financial professionals whose engagement terminates upon the undertaking of any contested court proceeding.
- The parties may jointly engage other experts as needed.
Additionally, Collaborative Divorce allows you the benefit of coaches, child and financial specialists all working together with you on your team. In Collaborative Practice, core elements form your commitments to this process, which are to: Negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution without having courts decide issues. Maintain open communication and information sharing. Create shared solutions acknowledging the highest priorities of all.
A Better Life Beyond Divorce
Brenda Bridges is a Divorce Mediator and CDFA® – Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® who provides a step-by-step plan, education, and resources to help you get through your divorce and on with your life – without going broke or breaking down during the divorce or after.
Brenda operates with the utmost discretion and flexibility to help you make critical decisions about your family and your future in a confidential, non-adversarial, and cost-effective manner.
Our Philosophy
Knowledge and Expertise
Our certified Mediator and CDFA® is a trained financial professional who can help you navigate the divorce process and all financial aspects of divorce.
Personalized Strategy
We recognize that each divorce is different and carefully plan a custom strategy that is right for you and your solution, no matter what stage you are.
Confidential
Our work together is sensitive, discreet and confidential, while we provide a customized, non-judgmental safe-haven keeping you focused and on task.
Schedule a Discovery Session
At Bridging Divorce Solutions, we help determine the short-term and long-term financial impact of a proposed divorce settlement to make sure it works now as well as down the road. We examine and analyze the numerous financial issues of a divorce, providing our clients, their lawyers, and CPAs with data to help strengthen their case. We help our clients avoid the common financial mistakes of divorce by offering important insight into the advantages and disadvantages of various settlement proposals.
Schedule a personalized strategy session with Brenda Bridges, a Mediator, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®), Retirement Income Certified Professional RICP®, and Certified Divorce Coach®.
During your strategy session, she will:
- Explore your divorce options and get clear on the right solution for your situation
- Review your finances and explore creative settlement ideas
- Map out a plan for transitioning to the next phase of your life
- Identify your biggest fears and decide the best way to address them
- Connect you with any other resources you’ll need in your process
News and Resources
Taking the Step Towards a Brighter Future: Unpacking What Divorce Can Mean for You
How to Divorce Without Hurting Your Kids
The gifts of divorce, places where you may surprisingly find gratitude
What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and why do I need one?
How to co-parent happy and healthy kids after divorce
Webinar: Ten Things Couples Should Do As They Near Retirement
What’s collaborative divorce, and is it right for my family and me?
Podcast: The Cost of Two Households
Three simple steps to starting divorce the right way (and having the best outcome)
Podcast: Dividing Assets After A Long Marriage
For my 50th birthday, I got a divorce (and no, it wasn’t what I asked for!)
