Real-Life Example: The Danger of Untrained Input
Consider a case where a divorcing homeowner was advised by an inexperienced mortgage professional to sell
the marital home immediately to divide the equity. While this appeared to be a straightforward solution, it
failed to account for the homeowner's desire to keep the property for stability during their children's
transition. When a CDLP® was brought in, they devised a plan to structure an equity buy-out, allowing one
spouse to retain the home while ensuring the other received their share of the equity. The initial advice led to
unnecessary emotional turmoil and potential financial loss, which could have been avoided with trained
guidance from the start.
How to Prevent Untrained Influence
To safeguard the integrity of the mediation and settlement process, divorce professionals should take
proactive steps:
Vet Professionals Carefully: Ensure that all professionals involved in the divorce process have relevant
training and credentials. Look for designations like CDLP®, REM-S, CDRE, CDFA, or certifications
in family law and financial planning.
Educate Clients: Inform clients about the importance of working with trained professionals. Emphasize
the risks of relying on well-meaning but unqualified individuals for critical advice.
Foster Collaborative Networks: Build relationships with other trained professionals who share a
commitment to excellence in divorce cases. This ensures that clients have access to a trusted team of
experts.
Moving Forward: Prioritizing Expertise
Divorce is a pivotal moment in a client’s life, and the professionals guiding them play a significant role in
shaping their future. By prioritizing expertise and minimizing the influence of untrained professionals,
mediators, attorneys, and financial planners can ensure more equitable, stable, and peaceful outcomes.
The risks of outside influencers underscore the value of specialized training and collaborative approaches. By
working with divorce-trained experts, professionals can transform a challenging process into an opportunity
for clarity, stability, and hope for their clients.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIORITIZING EXPERTISE
10 DIVORCE REAL ESTATE & MORTGAGE JOURNAL
Prioritizing expertise ensures every decision is rooted
in knowledge, paving the way for trust, clarity, and
success.