A divorce settlement can look good on paper and still create financial problems that don't become obvious until months or even years later. Sometimes nobody is trying to hide money or take advantage of anyone. The problem is simply that the people making the decisions didn't have the complete financial picture.
In this episode, Strategic Divorce Consultant Mardi Winder talks with Sue Plisch, CFP® and CDFA®, founder of Resilient Divorce Solutions, about some of the financial mistakes she sees people make during divorce and why understanding the details can matter just as much as agreeing on the numbers.
Sue explains why divorcing individuals often need to think of themselves as the CEO of their own divorce and understand the different roles their professional team members play. She and Mardi discuss joint debt, the potential consequences of leaving financial obligations intertwined after divorce, tax concerns when one spouse has traditionally handled the finances, and why a child support or maintenance calculation is only as accurate as the income information entered into it.
They also explore why bonuses, rental income, businesses, stock options, RSUs, and other forms of compensation can easily be overlooked when determining someone's true financial picture. The goal isn't to make divorce finances more complicated. It's to understand what you're agreeing to before you agree to it.
Questions We Explore
Q: Why can a 50/50 division of assets still produce an unequal financial outcome?
A: Assets and obligations that appear equal on paper may have very different financial characteristics. Understanding taxes, debt, liquidity, and how each piece affects your life after divorce can provide a much clearer picture of what a proposed settlement actually means.
Q: Should your divorce attorney also be your financial expert?
A: Not necessarily. Sue explains that attorneys bring essential legal expertise, but not every attorney has specialized financial training. Understanding which professional should handle which part of the divorce can help you get the information you need without expecting one person to do everything.
Q: Why is leaving joint debt after divorce potentially risky?
A: A divorce decree may assign responsibility for a debt to one former spouse, but that doesn't necessarily change the underlying agreement with the creditor. Sue discusses why completely disentangling financial lives whenever possible deserves careful attention.
Q: Can child support or maintenance calculations be wrong even when an official calculator was used?
A: The calculation depends on the information entered. Sue calls it the “garbage in, garbage out” principle. If bonuses, business income, rental properties, stock compensation, or other sources of income aren't included, the resulting number may not reflect the complete financial picture.
Q: What if you're worried about tax decisions your spouse made during the marriage?
A: Sue and Mardi discuss why this is an issue to raise with qualified tax and financial professionals, particularly when a business, unreported income, unusual withdrawals, or other concerns are involved. The important point is not to ignore those concerns simply because your spouse has always handled the taxes.
This conversation is for general educational and informational purposes and is not individualized financial, tax, or legal advice.
About the Guest:
Sue Plisch, CFP®, CDFA®, is the founder of Resilient Divorce Solutions, LLC, where she helps individuals and couples navigate divorce with financial clarity and confidence. Drawing on her background in mathematics, financial planning, and divorce finance, she translates complex financial decisions into practical, understandable choices. Her goal is to help people make informed decisions that support long-term financial security and a stronger future.
For Sue’s gift: https://resilientdivorcesolutions.com/
To connect with Sue:
Website: https://resilientdivorcesolutions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartsplitsue/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResilientDivorceSolutions
About the Host
Mardi Winder is a Strategic Divorce Consultant and High-Conflict Divorce Coach who helps high-achieving individuals navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and control. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in mediation, divorce coaching and conflict resolution, she supports clients in making smart decisions while reducing emotional and financial fallout, particularly in high-conflict, high-asset and complex divorces. Mardi is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC, and the Strategic Divorce Directory, LLC.
For Mardi’s gift: The Resilience Building Blueprint: A 28-Day Journey To A Stronger You https://www.divorcecoach4women.com/rbb
Connect with Mardi on Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Divorcecoach4women
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinder/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach4women/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@divorcecoach4women
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the Podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave an Apple Podcast Review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
