Becoming the CFO of Your Household After Divorce

Divorce changes many things at once, but for newly divorced moms, one of the biggest shifts is financial. Almost overnight, you are asked to step into a new role: CFO of your household.

That title doesn’t come with a manual. Instead, it comes with decisions.

Most women leave a divorce with a combination of assets and obligations such as investments, debt, maintenance, and child support. What often feels overwhelming isn’t any one item, but how everything fits together. The real question becomes: How does this all work together to support me and my children, both now and in the future?

From my experience as a CPA and divorce coach, there are three foundational areas that matter most in this next chapter: investments, estate planning, and tax planning. When these areas are aligned, clarity replaces confusion.

Investments: Shifting From Division to Direction

After divorce, investments often feel static. Accounts were divided, balances were transferred, and the focus was simply on getting through the process. But this is the moment to shift from division to direction.

Understanding what you own, how it’s invested, and how it supports your long-term goals is essential. Investments should work for your life now, not reflect decisions made in a different season.

Estate Planning: Protecting What Matters Most

Divorce is a major life event that should always trigger an estate plan review. Beneficiaries, guardianship decisions, and powers of attorney often need to be updated to reflect your new reality.

Estate planning isn’t about fear. It’s about protection, intention, and peace of mind, especially when children are involved.

Tax Planning: The Quiet Power Tool

Taxes quietly impact everything, from cash flow to investment growth. Filing status changes, dependency rules, child-related credits, and the tax treatment of maintenance and support can all significantly affect your financial picture.

Proactive tax planning helps you keep more of what you earn and avoid costly mistakes that often surface years later.

Confidence Comes From Clarity

You don’t need to become a financial expert overnight. But understanding how your financial pieces work together empowers you to make decisions with confidence rather than fear.

Clarity builds confidence and confidence changes everything.

Stepping into the CFO role isn’t about perfection. It’s about ownership. And with the right guidance and planning, this chapter can become one of strength, stability, and growth.

Let's get your financial journey started.