Divorce Math Made Clear
Thu Dec 18 2025
The financial decisions you make during a divorce can have long-lasting effects. In this episode, we talk with Ryan Finley CPA and Divorce CDFA, and valuation expert who works across the country. He explains practical steps to help you turn a confusing balance sheet into a plan you can follow. Ryan covers how to list your assets and debts, explains tax rules in simple terms, and shows how understanding the numbers can help you feel more confident about your choices.
We talk through real-life choices, like deciding whether to buy a home with cash or take out a mortgage while keeping a Roth IRA invested. Ryan explains how to think about current interest rates and plan for the future, and why a $100,000 IRA is not the same as $100,000 in cash after taxes and penalties. He shows how to look at different scenarios for cash flow, risk, and long-term growth, so you can find stability without giving up future opportunities. We also discuss prenuptial agreements, support waivers, and the risks of mixing separate property, such as how adding a spouse to a deed can change ownership and outcomes for good.
A lot of mistakes happen in the details of dividing assets. We explain QDROs and the expensive error of transferring too much into retirement accounts if one person plans to cash out. We also cover why it’s important to split investments by tax lots to avoid unfair capital gains. The answer is to use clear settlement language that tells custodians to divide each lot fairly. Ryan reminds us that divorce is a math problem with real-life consequences, and he offers a steady, practical approach to solving it.
If you are going through a divorce or helping someone who is, this episode will help you understand all the key issues: taxes, timing, housing, investments, and the emotions that affect decisions. Subscribe, share this episode with anyone who needs guidance, and leave a review with your hardest money question. We might answer it in a future episode.
Why You Should Listen
Divorce is not just an emotional or legal process — it’s a major life transition with financial consequences that last for decades. Ryan and Scott bring complementary expertise to help listeners understand their options, protect what matters most, and plan strategically for life after divorce.
📩 Guest Contact & Booking Info
Ryan Finley — Freedom Financial Services Group
📞 941-745-2846
📧 info@freedomfsg.com
🌐 https://www.freedomfsg.com/
Learn more about California divorce mediation and family law with Scott Levin:
https://www.sandiegofamilylawyer.net/
📞 858-255-1321
📧 scott@sandiegofamilylawyer.net
Thanks for listening and I hope you'll continue to learn more about how you can peacefully divorce.
As a divorce mediation attorney in California, Scott Levin helps couples figure out the settlement terms and draft enforceable settlement agreements so they can divorce fairly without needing to go to court. Obtain closure peacefully through an amicable divorce. process that protects families and kids.
Visit San Diego Divorce Mediation for more information and to learn more about our mission to help divorcing couples make informed decisions and fair agreements through mediation or book a free virtual consultation.
Scott Levin, attorney, mediator, CDFA®
Chief PeaceKeeper
scottlevinmediation@gmail.com
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net
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The financial decisions you make during a divorce can have long-lasting effects. In this episode, we talk with Ryan Finley CPA and Divorce CDFA, and valuation expert who works across the country. He explains practical steps to help you turn a confusing balance sheet into a plan you can follow. Ryan covers how to list your assets and debts, explains tax rules in simple terms, and shows how understanding the numbers can help you feel more confident about your choices. We talk through real-life choices, like deciding whether to buy a home with cash or take out a mortgage while keeping a Roth IRA invested. Ryan explains how to think about current interest rates and plan for the future, and why a $100,000 IRA is not the same as $100,000 in cash after taxes and penalties. He shows how to look at different scenarios for cash flow, risk, and long-term growth, so you can find stability without giving up future opportunities. We also discuss prenuptial agreements, support waivers, and the risks of mixing separate property, such as how adding a spouse to a deed can change ownership and outcomes for good. A lot of mistakes happen in the details of dividing assets. We explain QDROs and the expensive error of transferring too much into retirement accounts if one person plans to cash out. We also cover why it’s important to split investments by tax lots to avoid unfair capital gains. The answer is to use clear settlement language that tells custodians to divide each lot fairly. Ryan reminds us that divorce is a math problem with real-life consequences, and he offers a steady, practical approach to solving it. If you are going through a divorce or helping someone who is, this episode will help you understand all the key issues: taxes, timing, housing, investments, and the emotions that affect decisions. Subscribe, share this episode with anyone who needs guidance, and leave a review with your hardest money question. We might answer it in a future episode. Why You Should Listen Divorce is not just an emotional or legal process — it’s a major life transition with financial consequences that last for decades. Ryan and Scott bring complementary expertise to help listeners understand their options, protect what matters most, and plan strategically for life after divorce. 📩 Guest Contact & Booking Info Ryan Finley — Freedom Financial Services Group 📞 941-745-2846 📧 info@freedomfsg.com 🌐 https://www.freedomfsg.com/ Learn more about California divorce mediation and family law with Scott Levin: https://www.sandiegofamilylawyer.net/ 📞 858-255-1321 📧 scott@sandiegofamilylawyer.net Thanks for listening and I hope you'll continue to learn more about how you can peacefully divorce. As a divorce mediation attorney in California, Scott Levin helps couples figure out the settlement terms and draft enforceable settlement agreements so they can divorce fairly without needing to go to court. Obtain closure peacefully through an amicable divorce. process that protects families and kids. Visit San Diego Divorce Mediation for more information and to learn more about our mission to help divorcing couples make informed decisions and fair agreements through mediation or book a free virtual consultation. Scott Levin, attorney, mediator, CDFA® Chief PeaceKeeper scottlevinmediation@gmail.com 858-255-1321 San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net