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Rebuilding your financial life starts with clarity, confidence—and a solid plan.

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Divorce can turn your financial world upside down. Assets that once felt shared and secure may now seem uncertain. But while the emotional toll is real, it’s also a powerful opportunity to take control of your financial future—with intention and strategy.

From dividing retirement accounts to updating estate plans, there are crucial moves you can make right now to protect what’s yours and rebuild on your own terms.

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💡 Need a financial partner who understands divorce planning?
Visit Advisor.com to compare fiduciary advisors who specialize in post-divorce wealth management.

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Step 1: Assess Your New Financial Landscape

The first step post-divorce is understanding your new financial reality. That means getting crystal clear on:
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• What you own (assets, property, investments)
• What you owe (mortgages, credit, shared debts)
• What your new income and expenses look like
• What documents need to be updated (titles, accounts, beneficiaries)

This is the foundation for every other decision.

🧾 Tip: A financial advisor can help organize and evaluate your full post-divorce balance sheet. Find yours →
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Step 2: Rebuild Your Budget (and Your Confidence)

Your cost of living has likely changed—and so have your priorities. Now’s the time to build a budget that reflects your life now:
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• Housing, healthcare, child support or alimony
• Emergency savings for unexpected transitions
• Travel, self-care, or education if you’re reentering the workforce

A clear, empowered budget isn’t about limits—it’s about freedom.
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Step 3: Rethink Retirement

Divorce often disrupts retirement plans. Maybe accounts were divided. Maybe you left the workforce for a period. Maybe you’re starting from less than you'd hoped.
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Now is the time to:
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• Rebuild your retirement projections
• Adjust contributions based on new income
• Consider catch-up contributions if you're 50+
• Review QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders) if applicable

📈 Strategize smartly. A financial advisor can help align your retirement goals with your new timeline. Compare top matches at Advisor.com
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Step 4: Update Your Estate Plan

Even if your divorce decree is final, your financial documents may not be.

Be sure to update:
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• Wills and trusts
• Beneficiaries on retirement accounts, life insurance, and annuities
• Healthcare proxies and powers of attorney
• Guardianship designations if you have minor children

Your legacy should reflect your new life—not your past relationship.
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Step 5: Reevaluate Your Investment Strategy

Now that your risk tolerance and goals may have shifted, your portfolio should too. You may want:
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• A more conservative approach while stabilizing income
• A more aggressive strategy to rebuild wealth
• Diversification across different asset classes
• Lower-fee options to maximize growth over time

💼 Not sure what fits your future?
Find a financial advisor who can create a personalized investment plan that works for your new chapter. Get started free →
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Step 6: Build a Financial Support Team

Divorce doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Many women and men seek out a financial advisor they trust after divorce—not just for planning, but for peace of mind.
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The right advisor can help you:
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• Make objective decisions during an emotional time
• Advocate for your interests in mediation or negotiation
• Create a long-term financial roadmap tailored just to you

🧠 Look for a fiduciary—someone legally obligated to act in your best interest.
Advisor.com makes it easy to compare pre-vetted advisors by specialty, including divorce and transition planning.
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You’ve handled the hard part.

Now it’s time to take back control—financially and emotionally.

✨ Find a financial advisor who understands where you’ve been—and where you want to go.
👉 Start your search at Advisor.com

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