Divorce Lending Association, LLC
CDLP® CERTIFICATION COURSE
SYLLABUS
Copyright Divorce Lending Association, LLC | CDLP® Certification Syllabus
CDLP® CERTIFICATION COURSE SYLLABUS
Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®)
Divorce Lending Association, LLC
Course Overview
The Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) Certification is a comprehensive
training program designed to equip mortgage professionals with the knowledge and skills
necessary to operate at the intersection of family law, real property, and mortgage
financing.
This program provides a structured framework for analyzing and addressing the financial
implications of divorce, including housing, mortgage qualification, and long-term financial
sustainability.
Participants are trained to evaluate divorce-related financial scenarios, collaborate with
legal and financial professionals, and develop mortgage strategies that align with court
orders, settlement agreements, and applicable lending guidelines.
The CDLP® designation reflects advanced competency in divorce mortgage planning and
the ability to contribute meaningfully, within defined professional boundaries, to the
divorce process.
Course Format
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Self-Paced Online Instruction (Core Modules)
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Instructor-Led Training (Live Virtual or Hybrid Sessions)
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Case Study Analysis and Applied Learning
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Module Assessments and Final Certification Evaluation
Estimated Total Completion Time: 20+ Hours
Copyright Divorce Lending Association, LLC | CDLP® Certification Syllabus
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
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Interpret divorce-related legal documentation as it pertains to mortgage financing
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Analyze income, assets, and liabilities in accordance with mortgage underwriting
standards
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Evaluate real property distribution scenarios, including retention, sale, and equity
division
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Identify risks associated with mortgage qualification post-divorce
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Develop structured mortgage strategies aligned with settlement terms
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Collaborate with attorneys, mediators, and financial professionals within
appropriate professional boundaries
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Prepare and present structured financial analyses to support divorce-related
decision-making
Scope of Practice & Professional Boundaries
CDLP® professionals are trained to operate within the scope of their licensure and are not
authorized to provide legal or tax advice.
The role of a CDLP® is to:
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Provide mortgage and financial analysis related to housing decisions
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Interpret financial data within the context of lending guidelines
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Support the divorce process as a financial neutral
CDLP® professionals must:
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Avoid the unauthorized practice of law
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Defer legal interpretation to licensed attorneys
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Collaborate with tax professionals where applicable
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Maintain objectivity in contested matters
Copyright Divorce Lending Association, LLC | CDLP® Certification Syllabus
Course Modules
Module 1: Divorce Principles and Process
Introduces the legal framework of divorce and its financial implications, with a focus on
how mortgage financing, real property, and financial decision-making intersect throughout
the divorce process. Participants will gain a working understanding of case structure,
professional roles, and the points at which financial and housing-related analysis—
including potential litigation support and expert testimony—may influence outcomes.
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Divorce methods (litigation, mediation, collaborative divorce), including how each
process impacts the timing and structure of financial and real property decisions
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Case timelines and procedural considerations, with attention to when mortgage,
income, and housing strategy should be evaluated during the process
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Roles of legal and financial professionals, including attorneys, mediators, and
financial neutrals, and how a CDLP® contributes objective mortgage and housing
analysis within that framework
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Role of the CDLP® in supporting case strategy through financial analysis, including
participation in litigation support and, where appropriate, providing expert witness
testimony related to mortgage feasibility and housing outcomes
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Impact of divorce on financial decision-making, including the risks of uninformed
housing decisions and the importance of aligning settlement terms with realistic
mortgage qualification and long-term sustainability
Assessment: Module quiz and applied scenario analysis
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Module 2: Family Law and Real Property
Examines how legal determinations in divorce impact the ownership, valuation, transfer,
and financing of real property. This module focuses on the intersection of family law and
housing, providing participants with a clear understanding of how property rights, title, and
financial obligations influence mortgage feasibility and long-term outcomes.
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Equitable distribution and community property concepts, including how different
legal frameworks impact the division of real property and associated financial
obligations
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Title and vesting considerations, including how ownership is held before, during,
and after divorce, and the implications for liability, control, and future financing
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Marital vs. separate property distinctions, including how commingling and
contributions may affect property classification and division
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Determining the value of the marital home and other real property, including
appraisals, market analysis, and the role of valuation disputes in settlement
negotiations
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The default effect of divorce on title and property insurance, including potential gaps
in coverage, liability exposure, and the importance of updating ownership and policy
structures post-settlement
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Property transfer mechanisms, including deeds, buyouts, and court-ordered
transfers, and how these impact ownership rights and mortgage obligations
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Loan assumptions and financing considerations, including when assumptions are
permitted, limitations of existing loan structures, and risks associated with retaining
joint liability
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Legal and financial risks associated with improperly structured real property
settlements, including enforceability issues and post-divorce financing challenges
Assessment: Case-based evaluation
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Module 3: Financial and Tax Considerations in Divorce
Focuses on financial structuring as it relates to divorce and mortgage qualification,
emphasizing how income, assets, and tax implications influence real property decisions
and long-term financial sustainability. Participants will learn to evaluate and align financial
components of a divorce settlement with realistic lending guidelines and after-tax
outcomes.
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Treatment of alimony and child support income, including qualification
requirements, documentation standards, and timing considerations under
mortgage guidelines
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Identification and analysis of income streams, including wages, support, Social
Security, and other sources, with consideration of how income is defined under tax
code versus mortgage underwriting standards
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Asset division and liquidity considerations, including access to funds, reserves, and
the impact of asset distribution on mortgage eligibility and housing stability
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Retirement accounts, pension valuation, and QDROs, including how retirement
assets are divided, valued, and potentially utilized in supporting real property or
income needs
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Tax consequences of divorce, including filing status changes, dependency
considerations, and the financial impact of settlement structuring on both parties
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Capital gains tax considerations in divorce, including strategies to mitigate tax
exposure when selling or transferring real property
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The after-tax cost of funds when evaluating real property options, including how
taxation impacts affordability, equity decisions, and long-term financial outcomes
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Tax considerations impacting housing decisions, including mortgage interest,
property taxes, and the financial implications of retaining versus selling the marital
home
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Integration of financial data into settlement strategy, ensuring that income, assets,
and tax implications are aligned with realistic mortgage qualification and
sustainable housing outcomes
Assessment: Financial structuring exercise
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Module 4: Real Property and Housing Strategy
Focuses on the practical and legal considerations involved in buying and selling real
property during divorce. This module examines how real estate transactions intersect with
divorce proceedings, the roles of the professionals involved, and the importance of
maintaining clear professional boundaries while supporting clients through complex
housing decisions.
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Working with divorcing sellers, including timing considerations, court involvement,
listing strategy, and coordination with attorneys to ensure compliance with
settlement terms or court orders
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Working with divorcing buyers, including pre- and post-divorce purchasing
strategies, income and financing considerations, and aligning homeownership
decisions with settlement outcomes
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Role of the real estate professional in divorce, including collaboration with attorneys
and CDLP® professionals, managing communication between parties, and
supporting the transaction without influencing legal outcomes
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Coordination between mortgage, real estate, and legal professionals to ensure that
real property decisions are aligned with financing feasibility and the overall
settlement structure
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Overview of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 19 and 24, including considerations
related to required joinder of parties and intervention when real property interests
may be affected in litigation
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Identifying risks in real estate transactions during divorce, including conflicting
interests, incomplete agreements, and transactions executed prior to finalized
settlement terms
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Avoiding the unauthorized practice of law, including maintaining appropriate
professional boundaries, deferring legal interpretation to attorneys, and ensuring all
real property actions are consistent with legal guidance and court orders
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Ensuring that real property transactions support enforceable, sustainable outcomes
and do not create unintended financial or legal consequences post-divorce
Assessment: Case-based application involving real property transaction scenarios
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Module 5: Divorce Mortgage Planning | Disposition of the Marital Home
Focuses on the integration of mortgage financing, real property strategy, and settlement
outcomes in divorce. This module provides detailed instruction on evaluating mortgage
qualifications, structuring housing options, and aligning financial decisions with both
lending guidelines and the terms of the divorce agreement.
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Income calculation under agency guidelines, including treatment of support
income, variable income, and documentation requirements necessary for mortgage
qualification
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Debt allocation vs. liability, including how obligations defined in a settlement
agreement are evaluated by lenders and the risks of continued joint liability
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Credit considerations and timing, including the impact of divorce on credit profiles
and strategic timing of financing decisions before, during, and after divorce
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Documentation requirements, including review and use of divorce decrees,
separation agreements, and supporting financial documentation in the underwriting
process
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Disposition of the marital home, including evaluation of retention, refinance, or sale
options based on financial feasibility and settlement structure
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Equity buyout analysis, including structuring buyouts, sourcing funds, and aligning
equity decisions with mortgage qualification and long-term affordability
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Retention vs. sale scenarios, including financial, legal, and practical considerations
that influence sustainable housing outcomes
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Co-ownership and deferred sale agreements, including risks, limitations, and
implications for future financing and liability
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Long-term housing sustainability, including aligning mortgage terms, income, and
financial obligations with post-divorce stability
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Advanced mortgage considerations, including FHA, VA, and conventional loan
guidelines, multi-property scenarios, and complex or high-conflict cases requiring
strategic structuring
Assessment: Comprehensive underwriting and strategy case study
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Certification Assessment and Implementation
Final evaluation and application of knowledge.
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Comprehensive final exam
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Case-based certification assessment
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Practical implementation planning
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Certification completion requirements
Certification Requirements
To obtain the CDLP® designation, participants must:
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Complete all required modules
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Pass all module assessments
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Successfully complete the final certification exam and/or case study
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Demonstrate competency in divorce mortgage planning principles
Continuing Education and Recertification
To maintain the CDLP® designation:
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Annual continuing education is required
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Ongoing participation in updated training is expected
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Recertification requirements are established by the Divorce Lending Association
Instructional Materials
Participants are provided with:
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Course modules and training materials
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Case study exercises and templates
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Structured analysis tools
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Ongoing access to updated educational resources
Copyright Divorce Lending Association, LLC | CDLP® Certification Syllabus
Professional Designation
Upon successful completion, participants are awarded the designation:
Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®)
This designation signifies advanced training in integrating mortgage financing with divorce-
related financial strategy, and the ability to support housing-related decisions during the
divorce process.
Legal Disclaimer
This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial
advice. Participants are responsible for applying course concepts within the scope of their
professional licensure and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
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