Divorce Financial Analysis

The Financial and Accounting Questions Your Attorney Can't Answer

Your attorney is handling the law. But who's running the numbers? Divorce settlements carry real tax consequences, and most attorneys will tell you directly that tax and financial analysis falls outside what they can advise on. I fill that gap — as a CPA specializing in divorce financial analysis for divorcing individuals and the attorneys who represent them across New York City and Long Island.

A Settlement That Looks Fair May Not Be After Taxes

The face value of an asset and its after-tax value are two different numbers. A $200,000 retirement account and a $200,000 brokerage account are not worth the same amount once taxes are factored in — one carries embedded tax liability that the other doesn't. When you're dividing a marital estate, those differences matter enormously, and they're easy to miss if no one is doing the analysis.

 

My role in a divorce proceeding is to make sure you know the real value of what you're agreeing to before you sign. I model proposed divisions, run the tax consequences on spousal maintenance arrangements, and help you understand what child support and alimony structures actually mean for your tax situation going forward. The goal is simple: you shouldn't walk into a settlement without knowing what you're actually getting.

Three Ways I Work With Divorcing Clients

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Asset Division Analysis

Dividing a marital estate fairly on paper doesn't always mean dividing it fairly in practice. Different asset types carry different tax treatment, different liquidity, and different embedded gains. I analyze proposed divisions to show you the after-tax picture — not just the face values — so you can negotiate from an accurate baseline.

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Spousal Support & Maintenance Analysis

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2019 changed the tax treatment of alimony for divorces finalized after December 31, 2018 — payments are no longer deductible for the payer or taxable to the recipient. That shift has real implications for how maintenance should be structured, and it's something many clients and even some attorneys aren't fully accounting for. I model the actual after-tax impact of proposed maintenance arrangements so both sides understand what the numbers mean.

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Divorce Tax Planning

Some decisions made during a divorce have tax consequences that lock in at settlement and can't be undone afterward. Filing status elections, retirement account division methods, the tax treatment of the family home — these aren't details to sort out after the agreement is signed. I work with clients before settlement to identify the decisions that matter most and make sure they're made intentionally.

support for every stage of planning Your Next Steps.

Available as an Expert Witness in Divorce Proceedings

In addition to advising divorcing individuals directly, I'm available as an expert witness in divorce proceedings for matters involving asset division and spousal support and maintenance. If your case involves a disputed valuation, a complex asset structure, or a maintenance arrangement being litigated rather than negotiated, I can provide formal analysis and testimony to support the proceedings.

 

This credential is relevant both for attorneys looking for a qualified financial expert and for individuals whose cases have moved into contested territory. If you're not sure whether expert witness involvement applies to your situation, that's a good question to bring to a consultation.

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A Note for Attorneys

If you're a family law attorney, this page is also written for you. I work with a number of attorneys across New York City and Long Island as a referral resource for clients who need financial and tax analysis that falls outside the scope of legal counsel. My role is explicitly complementary to yours — I handle the numbers, you handle the law, and your client gets complete coverage before they sign.

 

I'm familiar with how divorce proceedings work, I communicate clearly with clients who are often in a difficult emotional moment, and I don't create friction in your referral relationship. If you'd like to talk about how I work with attorneys and their clients, I'm easy to reach.

frequently asked questions

Guidance That Feels Clear and Grounded

  • When in the divorce process should I talk to a CPA?

    As early as possible — ideally before any settlement terms are proposed. The tax consequences of asset division, maintenance, and child support arrangements are largely locked in once an agreement is signed. A conversation before negotiations begin gives you the most options and the most leverage.

  • Do I need a divorce financial analyst if I already have an attorney?

    Yes, and your attorney would likely agree. Attorneys are trained in family law, not tax analysis. Most will tell you directly that they can't advise on the tax consequences of a proposed settlement — that's exactly the role I fill. The two functions are complementary, not redundant.

  • How did the TCJA change the tax treatment of alimony?

    For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony payments are no longer tax-deductible for the paying spouse and no longer counted as taxable income for the recipient. This is a significant change from prior law and affects how maintenance arrangements should be structured and negotiated. If your divorce was finalized before that date and you're modifying an existing agreement, different rules may apply.

  • Can you work with clients outside of New York?

    Yes. Divorce financial analysis doesn't depend on state-specific filings the way New York estate tax work does. I work with divorcing individuals and their attorneys remotely across the country for asset division analysis, maintenance modeling, and divorce tax planning.