Most people know that divorce can take a financial toll. So what’s the best way for clients to protect their assets during a divorce? And more importantly, how can you help your clients plan for the future given their new financial reality? Today’s guest will answer these questions and more. Debbie Hartzman is a financial advisor, holding CFP, CLU, CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst), TEP and CEA designations. She’s also an author and a national expert on helping individuals undergoing separation or divorce proceedings. Listen in to hear what she has to say about becoming an advisor, understanding the nuances of working with divorcing or separating couples, and the benefits of using a financial advisor during separation or divorce.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  Understanding the difference between separation and divorce (12:30) The benefit of having a financial advisor during a divorce (16:20) The tax implications of divorce (29:10) How Debbie approaches potential conflicts of interest (23:30) How new advisors can begin specializing in divorce (48:30) Staying focused when helping clients through a separation (53:40)  Links and Resources:  Hartzman and Associates To order Debbie’s book, Divorce isn’t Easy, But it Can be Fair, contact her through her website above.  Quotes by Debbie Hartzman:  “If I’m going to be in this business, I’m going to be that bus driver. I’m going to be the coordinate between the lawyer, between the accountant, and the client so that there’s somebody watching the big picture and helping the client make good financial decisions.” “That’s where my value comes in. It’s being able to help them understand how that’s going to impact them not today, not tomorrow, but in ten or fifteen years down the road.” “I wouldn’t be a good planner if I didn’t plan for myself. So my plan for myself was: I love this business, I love giving back, I love helping people, but I also want to do it on my terms instead of the business running me.” Now approaching a quarter-century in the business, Debbie has (literally) written the book on having a divorce that is fair and ensures long-term financial stability. Coming from a legal background, she understands how to work with lawyers to help clients make the most of marital separation. Below, we’re sharing three key ideas from this episode: The benefit of having a financial advisor during a divorce Staying focused when helping clients through a separation How new advisors can begin specializing in divorce   For the rest of the episode, find the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher, or hit the link above. The benefit of hav...