Financial Divorce Specialist

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sjandme

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Has anyone ever tried getting financial advice to plan their divorce? I'm thinking that this would be a better use of funds than trying to set up an appointment with my lawyer.

(I think the guy is deliberately avoiding me while generating income in the process! It's been almost 3 weeks trying to set up an appointment - about 4 email exchanges just to get a time set - not yet accomplished. He doesn't have a secretary. I get charged for every communication. That's one of the reasons why I didn't send him a Christmas card. I figure he'd charge me for that too!)

Anyway... have you ever seen those ads about not getting fleeced?

My stbx and I don't have a vast fortune. I'm just trying to avoid being burdened with bogus family loans, a line of credit debt ... most of it taken by my stbx after he knew I was leaving.

(That loc sat there for several years, used responsibly, moderate amounts only. Plus the first lawyer I saw ever cautioned me to leave the loc or a judge would not look favourably upon me. She should have also told me to at least freeze it - before $180,000 vanished.)

I'm thinking some financial advice is in order.... even if there is no complicated government pension, out of country property, etc., etc.
 
Someone sent me a funny song about how lawyers see their clients.
Search in Google for "I'm billing time".

The problem with hiring a lawyer is the first thing they ask for is a financial statement. That way they can decide if they can "help you". You've basically told them how much you have to spend on this.
 
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Was that a typo, and you meant 180 dollars or 18k? If the amount you say is right, then that is embezzlement :eek:

For the noobs on here, listen, learn and act fast if your joint line of credit debt is still open.

Involveddad....ask and you shall receive

I'm Billing Time Video - YouTube
 
They are really just a form of mediation.

Some companies will only see you if both parties sign up, although they see you separately throughout the process.

Others will see you and the other party does not need to be involved.

I was involved with a company that we both signed up for. After parting ways with that company, I found a 'Divorce Financial Specialist', that I saw on my own. She was instrumental in helping me understand the financial aspects of my divorce.

If you are going to enlist the help of this professional, I would recommend you also seek legal advice. Remember that a mediator will lean heavily on the party that is most reasonable, and get them to compromise. When one person is difficult, the mediator looks to other ways to find a way to settle.
 
Sj, are you still in the mat-home? I take it the loc was a home-equity line? And the status of it now - it's maxed?

Who is making the monthly pymts?

Yes, the loc should have been frozen. It sat there ripe for the picking. I got pretty smoked too. Well *after* I wasn't 'joint,' on anything.
 
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I am not endorsing this except to say that I find her TV shows amusing. But Gail Vaz-Oxlade recently started The Common Sense Divorce | Gail Vaz-Oxlade | Divorce in OntarioThe Common Sense Divorce | Ontario Divorce Plan Service | Gail Vaz-Oxlade which purports to help navigate the financial parts, among others, of divorce.

Never having done more than watch some of her shows, I do not know how expensive, effective or biased it may be. But at first glance, it seems to be a good idea, to gather up all the professionals you may need all in one place.

And if there's one things she's very very good at, it's telling you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
 
I am not endorsing this except to say that I find her TV shows amusing. But Gail Vaz-Oxlade recently started The Common Sense Divorce | Gail Vaz-Oxlade | Divorce in OntarioThe Common Sense Divorce | Ontario Divorce Plan Service | Gail Vaz-Oxlade which purports to help navigate the financial parts, among others, of divorce.
Click to expand...

I love Gail Vaz Oxlade. She is so no nonsense. (Oddly she's had 3 failed marriages.) I happened to pick up one of her books at the library today. Here's a good sentence:

"And if you feel you have failed because your marriage is ending, at least you can count your blessings that you will not have spent your whole life failing."
 
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how does one plan or receive financial advice when the rugs are pulled up from under a person via fraud, theft and bankruptcy? Nice concept. Hope it works for you - I'm total envious.
 
@hadenough

Left mat home in 2011.

LOC maxed out at one point around that time. STBX returned a small amount and froze the account at that point. He pays interest sometimes. I cannot pay anything. (I get those calls sometimes from the bank.)

My financial situation is pretty rock bottom these days. Just went on another roller coaster ride this past week... preparing like crazy for an interview, waiting, hoping, then nada. I hate that. I digress...

There is no mortgage on that house. It increased in value about $150K during our marriage. I think the occupational rent I requested will be "balanced" by payment of interest and property taxes. (Similar house on the same street was renting for approx. $2K per month.)

Don't know what might happen now that he's vacated the premises. He didn't want to sell but was forced to do so. It's still on the market. No need for him to leave. Wish he had done that 2 years ago. So many things would have been different for me and our kids.

I haven't been able to go in that house since I left. He changed the locks, garage door code in 2011.

He claims that he's spent all the money he took. That was one of two tricks of his... trying to get back the only asset in our marriage that should be/could be shared.

I hope I am not forced to share that loc debt 50%. I believe legally I am responsible for it 100%.

At least the bank will be first in line for getting back its money... plus due to my STBX greed, need to control, etc..... will have earned about $20K or more. (See I need help with sorting out financial stuff.) Then there are the lawyers, the real estate agents....
 
how does one plan or receive financial advice when the rugs are pulled up from under a person via fraud, theft and bankruptcy? Nice concept. Hope it works for you - I'm total envious
Click to expand...

Retrospectively... financial help is not going to help much in that situation - outright, massive financial deception, etc.

You can only rebuild and cherish what money cannot buy.

Here's one story: How to thrived financially after divorce | MoneySense

***

At the end of the day... I may have no assets - wiped out RRSP's (mine from before marriage). (My savings are now gone).

My STBX will remain underemployed until he can "retire". Consequently, he will never pay much in the way of c/s. (I will look into imputing a reasonable income - i.e. more than $20-25K for a guy with a professional, technical background, graduate degree.)

Unfortunately, I'm middle aged, my career left behind with my first pregnancy. I am having a hell of a time getting a job... even after a year of retraining. (Doesn't help that I am stuck in a city in which most jobs I could pursue require bilingualism.) I don't think I'll ever earn much; have much. I'm in panic mode these days... set off by finally getting a bill from my very vexing lawyer.

At this rate I'll be going to the food bank soon.

I worry about giving my kids the basics. They deserve a future, even if I don't have much to look forward to.

I guess I will be lucky to have no debt. I once thought I would have enough to buy a modest town house, after relaunching a career and getting my share of the matrimonial property. Nope... don't think so now.
 
Give it 5 years then see.

That's my situation too... living in basements and student accommodations since they are cheap. Trying to "wait out" spousal support to finish before I will have enough income to hope to rebuild a life and get my own place. It's really distressing when renting a room for $550 per month puts you $400 over budget every month.

Taking the equity from one home, chopping in half (or less) and then the crazy rate at which housing prices seem to rise makes it very hard to contemplate being able to own a home again. I for one I'm excited at the idea of a real estate crash and the prices to fall a little. Maybe it will put something within my reach someday.
 
Gail Vaz-Oxlade and the Common Sense Divorce

Gail Vaz-Oxlade and the Common Sense Divorce

Rioe said:
I am not endorsing this except to say that I find her TV shows amusing. But Gail Vaz-Oxlade recently started The Common Sense Divorce | Gail Vaz-Oxlade | Divorce in OntarioThe Common Sense Divorce | Ontario Divorce Plan Service | Gail Vaz-Oxlade which purports to help navigate the financial parts, among others, of divorce.

Never having done more than watch some of her shows, I do not know how expensive, effective or biased it may be. But at first glance, it seems to be a good idea, to gather up all the professionals you may need all in one place.

And if there's one things she's very very good at, it's telling you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
Click to expand...


Thank you for referencing our services. Let us know if our services can be of practical assistance to you.:)
 
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