✪ Moving Forward After Divorce
When Felicia, 47, walked into my office, she looked like someone carrying the weight of the world. Recently divorced, with two children—one heading to college next year and another not far behind—she was understandably anxious.
“Rick, I’m just not sure I’ll be okay financially,” she said. “My ex and I split everything, but now that it’s just me, I feel like I don’t even know what I don’t know.”
Felicia had always been the saver and the higher earner in the marriage, but after the settlement and legal fees, her savings and retirement accounts had taken a serious hit. She wanted to be smart moving forward—protecting her future while still helping her kids avoid being buried in student loans.
Step One: Taking a Deep Breath—and a Holistic Look
I assured Felicia that her worries were normal. “Let’s take this one step at a time,” I told her. “We’ll look at the big picture—your income, spending, savings, investments, taxes, and goals—and make sure everything works together.”
We started by building a comprehensive plan that addressed her most pressing questions:
- Could she still retire at her desired age?
- How could she help fund college without sacrificing her future?
- Were there smarter ways to save on taxes and rebuild her nest egg?
Step Two: Getting College Costs Under Control
Felicia’s oldest would be heading to college in less than a year. Her ex was legally responsible for half, but she wasn’t confident he’d follow through.
“I don’t want the kids saddled with huge student loans,” she said. “But I also can’t empty my retirement account to make it happen.”
Together, we created a college funding strategy that balanced both goals—helping her kids while keeping her retirement on track. I showed her which accounts to draw from first, and how to plan for the next child a few years down the road.
Step Three: Rebuilding for the Future
Felicia’s old investment portfolio was built around her ex-husband’s preferences. It didn’t reflect her risk tolerance, her time horizon, or her values.
“Honestly,” she admitted, “I never really understood what we owned or why.”
We reallocated her investments to align with her comfort level and long-term goals. For the first time, she understood exactly how her money was working for her.
We also explored tax-saving opportunities—small adjustments that, over time, would add up. And because Social Security will eventually play a key role in her retirement income, we reviewed strategies that could boost her lifetime benefits.
Step Four: Ongoing Guidance
By the time our plan was in place, Felicia was breathing easier.
“I finally feel like I have a roadmap,” she said. “It’s such a relief to know I’m not guessing anymore.”
And that’s really the point. Financial planning isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. As life changes, we keep revisiting the plan to make sure it still fits.
“You’re not in this alone,” I reminded her. “We’ll adjust as things evolve. The goal is to keep you moving forward—confidently.”
Moving Forward with Confidence
If you’re navigating a divorce—or recently on your own—and wondering whether you’ll be okay financially, you don’t have to figure it out alone. A clear plan can bring peace of mind and put you back in control of your future.
📞 Let’s talk. We’ll take a fresh look at where you are today, where you want to be tomorrow, and how to bridge the gap—together.
Interested in learning more about our post-divorce planning process? Click HERE to schedule a time for a complimentary call.
Rick Fingerman, CFP®, CDFA®, CCPS®, is a founding and managing partner at Financial Planning Solutions, LLC. He has been helping individuals and families make sound financial decisions for over 30 years. Rick has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Retirement Daily, Investment News, The Boston Globe, Investopedia, Financial Advisor Magazine, Financial Experts Network, and the Chicago Tribune.
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Know someone that recently loss a spouse? Here is an article that may be of interest.....The Loss of a Spouse
Disclaimer - This case study is provided for illustrative purposes only and is hypothetical in nature. Names have been changed. An individual's experience may vary based on their individual circumstances.
Financial Planning Solutions, LLC (FPS) is a Registered Investment Advisor. Financial Planning Solutions, LLC (FPS) provides this blog for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this blog should be considered investment, tax, or legal advice. FPS only renders personalized advice to each client. Information herein includes opinions and source information that is believed to be reliable. However, such information may not be independently verified by FPS. Please see important disclosures link at the bottom of this page.