Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®

Divorce is not simply a legal event. It is a family transition—one that reshapes identities, relationships, and financial futures.

I am Jessica M. Garcia, and my work sits at the intersection of finance, family, and thoughtful decision-making during divorce. I am known for bringing calm, clarity, and steadiness to moments that often feel overwhelming, helping individuals and families navigate divorce in ways that minimize unnecessary harm and support long-term stability—especially for children.

With more than 20 years of experience in banking, investments, and financial strategy, including my career at Bank of America and predecessor institutions, I bring a grounded, real-world understanding of how financial decisions ripple across households and generations. Long before I focused exclusively on divorce, I saw how money—when misunderstood or poorly structured—can destabilize lives, and how, when handled with intention, it can support resilience and meaningful change.

Today, I work with individuals, couples, and professional partners in both advisory and neutral roles. I collaborate with law firms, mediators, and structured divorce processes, as well as with private clients seeking deeper, individualized financial guidance. I work with women and men alike, always with the goal of replacing confusion and conflict with transparency, structure, and informed choice.

My approach is educational, collaborative, and grounded in respect for the complexity of this transition. Rather than telling clients what to do, I help them understand the financial decisions before them—so they can move forward with confidence, dignity, and a sense of authorship over what comes next.

The work I do is informed by decades of professional experience, rigorous training, and a commitment to ethical, client-centered practice.  

Education & Professional Credentials

• MBA — McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte
• BA in American Studies & Business, Queens University of Charlotte

Divorce Credentials & Affiliations

• CDFA®️ Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
• CDC®️ Certified Divorce Coach
• Collaborative Family Law Training (IACP)
• Family Financial Mediation Training — Carolina Dispute Settlement Services

Additional Certifications

• DFC™ Divorce Financial Coach
• CDFC™ Certified Divorce Financial Coach
• CDP™ CDP Divorce Practitioner™
• CDRC™ Certified Dispute Resolution Coach

Past Licenses (no longer active)

• NC Real Estate Sales License
• NC Health & Life Insurance License
• FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, 65, 66

Speaking & Teaching Engagements

• Second Saturday Financial Presenter — 2018-2026
• CDC College of Divorce Coaches Financial Instructor — 2021-2026
• Second Saturday - Emotions of Divorce Coach Presenter (2025)
• Dodging Divorce Disasters Podcast with Lori Hawkins (2025)
• Women & Money Financial Literacy Workshop — Cary Chamber of Commerce (2024)
• Working with CDFA Podcast — Jamie Milam (2024)
• Age Slayer Podcast — Traci Butz (2021)
• Spectrum News Interview — Being a Divorce Coach (2021)
• “The 4 Paths to Divorce” Article — Two Families Law (2017)
• CDFA in Divorce Video — New Direction Law (2016)