Hi, welcome to The Divorce Allies Podcast, a podcast and video series where we dive into all things divorce, the process of creating a settlement offer with a team of financial professionals, including divorce, mortgage, parenting, and relationship coaches. We cover all the areas of the divorce settlement process from financial to emotional wellbeing. I'm Melissa Gragg, our financial mediator and business valuator, and I'm with Emile Flowers, our divorce mortgage planning specialist.

Today, we're discussing how to prepare for divorce, particularly focusing on decisions about home ownership. We've often talked about this in our discussions, and it's clear that when deciding whether to keep the house during litigation, mediation, or personal deliberation, there are generally three options: one spouse keeps the house, the other keeps the house, or you sell the house. Are there any other options we should consider?

Questions address in the episode:
What are the key factors to consider when deciding whether to keep or sell the house during a divorce?

How does the stage of divorce affect mortgage planning?

Can you explain the role of income and support payments in qualifying for a mortgage post-divorce?

How do credit scores and other financial liabilities impact one's ability to secure a favorable mortgage?

How should the house be addressed in the settlement agreement to ensure a smooth mortgage process during or after a divorce?

Key Podcast Takeaways:
Understanding Housing Options in Divorce: It's crucial to understand the available options regarding home ownership during a divorce—whether one spouse keeps the house, the other does, or it's sold. This decision is central to negotiating settlements.

Evaluating Financial Feasibility: The podcast emphasizes the importance of thoroughly evaluating whether one can afford to keep the house post-divorce, considering mortgage obligations, refinancing options, and personal financial capacity.

Impact of Credit and Income on Mortgage Qualification: The discussion highlights how your credit score, income stability, and debt-to-income ratio influence your ability to qualify for a mortgage post-divorce, which is vital for anyone looking to retain their home.

Legal and Mortgage Planning: Proper planning and understanding of the legal and mortgage processes involved in divorce are underscored, especially how support payments and property ownership affect mortgage planning and refinancing.

Strategic Negotiation and Planning: The podcast stresses the importance of strategic negotiation and thorough preparation in the divorce process, particularly how financial planning and understanding mortgage implications can empower individuals in making informed decisions.

Melissa Gragg, CVA, MAFF
Expert testimony for financial and valuation issues 
Bridge Valuation Partners, LLC 
melissa@bridgevaluation.com 
http://www.BridgeValuation.com 
http://www.ValuationPodcast.com 
http://www.MediatorPodcast.com 
https://www.valuationmediation.com
https://www.thedivorceallies.com/
Cell: (314) 541-8163

Emile Flowers, CDLP®
Divorce Mortgage Consultant
https://www.divorcemortgageplanningservices.com/
https://www.thedivorceallies.com/

Welcome to The Divorce Allies Podcast, a podcast and video series where we dive into all things divorce, the process of creating a settlement offer with a team of financial professionals, divorce, mortgage, parenting, and relationship coaches. We cover all of the areas of the divorce settlement process from financial to emotional wellbeing.

I'm Melissa Gragg, our financial mediator and negotiation specialist, and today I am with Cristin Terri, our divorce coach and parenting specialist.

Key Takeaways:
Prioritizing Children's Needs: Despite financial complexities, children's needs often become a top priority during divorce negotiations. A focused approach on parenting plans is crucial as it sets a foundation for co-parenting and children's stability.

Parenting Plans' Role in Mediation: Parenting plans are not just about scheduling; they encompass detailed co-parenting arrangements including holidays, education, healthcare, and more. They aim to minimize misunderstandings and secure children's best interests long-term.

Customizing Parenting Plans: Parenting plans should be tailored to the family's specific needs, factoring in children's ages, emotional states, and parental dynamics. In volatile situations, more detailed and long-term plans are advisable to reduce future conflicts.

Importance of Detail in Parenting Plans: The parenting plan should address not only immediate concerns but also long-term situations like education and healthcare. It's essential for these plans to be comprehensive to prevent future disputes and legal costs.

The Role of Specialists: Engaging specialists like parenting coaches or mediators can help ensure that all aspects of parenting during and after divorce are considered, providing stability and consistency for the children involved.

Cristin Terri
https://www.cristinterri.com/
cristin@cristinterri.com

Melissa Gragg
CVA, MAFF, CDFA 
Expert testimony for financial and valuation issues 
Bridge Valuation Partners, LLC 
melissa@bridgevaluation.com 
http://www.BridgeValuation.com 
http://www.ValuationPodcast.com 
http://www.MediatorPodcast.com 
https://www.valuationmediation.com
https://www.thedivorceallies.com/
Cell: (314) 541-8163

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Divorce Settlement Case Study and Spreadsheet Example - Property Statement | Financial Mediation

Watch the YouTube video for the full experience: https://youtu.be/O4uuQLiv15s

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For more divorce related content, head here: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorceAllies

Welcome to The Divorce Allies Podcast, where we delve into all aspects of the divorce process, from financial settlements to emotional well-being. I’m Anna Graham, your small business mentor, here to help you explore your next chapter. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Melissa Gragg, financial mediator and negotiation expert, as we take a deep dive into a real-time settlement case study.

Melissa demonstrates how to use her proprietary spreadsheet to organize assets, debts, and financial data to create a clear and effective settlement offer.

5 Key Takeaways:
The Role of a Settlement Spreadsheet
Melissa’s spreadsheet is a vital tool for visualizing and organizing assets, debts, and financial details, allowing for informed and equitable settlement offers.

Key Financial Details to Gather
Include property values, mortgages, retirement accounts, bank statements, car values, and any debts like credit cards, student loans, or back taxes. Start with factual data to build a solid foundation.

Consideration of Special Cases
Situations like inheritances, separate assets, or hidden finances require detailed documentation and may involve legal challenges if not agreed upon.

Splits Aren’t Always 50/50
Settlements focus on equitable distribution, factoring in income-producing (e.g., businesses, investments) versus income-depleting assets (e.g., homes, cars). Adjustments ensure fairness rather than equal splits.

Take Control of Your Divorce Journey
Whether through tools like Melissa’s spreadsheet or resources from The Divorce Allies, being proactive in gathering information and creating a clear settlement offer can save time, money, and stress.

Melissa Gragg
CVA, MAFF, CDFA 
Expert testimony for financial and valuation issues 
Bridge Valuation Partners, LLC 
melissa@bridgevaluation.com 
http://www.BridgeValuation.com 
http://www.ValuationPodcast.com 
http://www.MediatorPodcast.com 
https://www.valuationmediation.com
https://www.thedivorceallies.com/
Cell: (314) 541-8163

Anna Graham
https://www.ellimarketing.com/
https://www.thedivorceallies.com/
https://www.valuationmediation.com
314-313-5033

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