Jessica M. Garcia MBA CDFA CDC

Jessica M Garcia is a highly accomplished and trusted  professional  who specializes in helping women preserve their wealth as they navigate the complexities of divorce. With a Master of Business Administration degree and certifications as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and Certified Divorce Coach (CDC), Jessica possesses the knowledge, expertise, and compassion necessary to guide her clients through this challenging time with grace and dignity.

With over a decade of experience in finance and business management, Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her clients. She has worked for both small and large organizations, including a Fortune 500 company, and has a deep understanding of the unique financial challenges faced by affluent women going through divorce.

Jessica's approach is rooted in empathy, understanding, and a deep commitment to her clients' well-being. She recognizes that divorce can be an emotionally charged and overwhelming experience, and she is dedicated to providing her clients with the support and guidance they need to make informed decisions and secure their financial future.

Beyond her work with clients, Jessica is a respected thought leader in the field of divorce finance. She has been a sought-after speaker and presenter at conferences and events, and been interviewed on podcasts and local news. Jessica is committed to empowering women to take control of their financial lives and make informed decisions during and after divorce.

With her unique combination of financial expertise and compassionate guidance, Jessica is the trusted divorce financial professional that affluent women turn to during the divorce process. She is dedicated to helping her clients achieve a fair and equitable settlement that protects their financial interests and sets them up for long-term success.

Education

• Masters in Business Administration from the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte

• Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and Business from Queens College (now Queens University of Charlotte)

Credentials

• CDFA®️ Certified Divorce Financial Analyst

• CDC®️  Certified Divorce Coach

Additional professional certifications for specialized Divorce Coaching and Dispute Resolution Coaching

• DFC™ Divorce Financial Coach• CDFC™ Certified Divorce Financial Coach

• CDP™   CDP Divorce Practitioner™ 

• CDRC™ Certified Dispute Resolution Coach

Licenses previously held, no longer active 

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

A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst is a professional skilled at organizing and analyzing financial data and providing expertise on issues related to the finances of divorce. A CDFA can help you reduce the stress and overwhelm that come with the process before, during and after. We bring methodologies of financial planning to the divorce process, crafting individualized settlement solutions. We provide our clients with a greater sense of confidence in their decisions through a fuller understanding of how their marital settlement agreements will affect short and long-term financial future.

What is the role of a CDFA in Divorce?   CDFA professionals may serve multiple roles in the separation and divorce:

• Individual Advocate for those facing divorce difficulties. We can join with the attorney to strengthen and maximize your settlement outcome
  
• Collaborative Divorce Professional as a financial neutral  in a team-mediation approach involving professionals like attorneys, family therapists, and others
  
• A CDFA professional serves clients' needs as a strong financial advocate in litigation OR as a third-party neutral for those seeking higher control over their divorce outcomes with Mediation

Financial Expertise and Strategy

A CDFA provides the client and attorney with data analysis that shows the financial effect of any given settlement. They become part of the divorce team and provide support on financial issues such as:

• Examining your pre- and post-divorce situations, including Cash Flow
  
• Understanding the short-term and long-term effects of dividing property
  
• Analyzing pensions and retirement plans
  
• Determining if the client can afford the marital home, and if not, what he or she can afford
  
• Recognizing the tax consequences of different settlement proposals and bringing in a tax professional as needed
  
• Propose settlement options to individuals and couples seeking knowledgeable advice.
  
• Data Collection and Analysis
  

CDFA professional’s role mostly is to help gather and organize the client’s financial data and perform analysis. CDFAs can help manage a client’s expectations of their financial future by presenting different scenarios and talking through the client’s budget and expenses. 

CDFAs are trained to help clients:

• Define a division of assets and financial settlement that is individual to the client’s needs
  
• Collect financial and expense data
  
•  Identify their current and future financial goals
  
• Develop a realistic spending plan