When can a CDFA professional begin working on a client's financial assets?

A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) can begin working on a client's financial assets after the closing letter has been sent post-divorce. This point is significant because it indicates that the divorce settlement has concluded and the legal process surrounding the asset division is formalized. At this stage, the CDFA can effectively assist the client in understanding the long-term financial implications of the divorce settlement and help with planning for their financial future.

Before the closing letter is issued, the divorce proceedings might still involve negotiations, mediation, or even trial, meaning the terms of asset division are not final. Therefore, engaging a CDFA before this stage could lead to uncertainty, as the financial analysis and recommendations provided might have to be revisited once the divorce agreement is finalized. The CDFA's role becomes most valuable and impactful when they can work with definitive terms that have been legally established.