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
📧 [email protected]

🌐 https://www.freedomfsg.com/

Learn more about California divorce mediation and family law with Scott Levin:
https://www.sandiegofamilylawyer.net/

 📞 858-255-1321
 📧 [email protected]

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

This is a recording of an Online Webinar presentation in which Scott Levin and Daniel Yasharel provided insight to other attorneys, financial experts, and families navigating marriage, separation, divorce, property, or inheritance decisions.  

Presenters:

• Scott Levin CDFA Esq -  California Prenup Attorney Expert — Divorce Mediator (not practicing law) - Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
• Daniel F. Yasharel, MSFS, CFP®, CDFA® — Wealth Advisor & Certified Divorce Financial Analyst

You’ll Learn:

• How California’s community property laws impact family real estate and inheritance
• The difference between Prenups and Postnups — and when each is appropriate
• Common real estate issues in divorce and how to resolve them fairly
• Strategies to safeguard family wealth and minimize future disputes
• Real-world case studies and actionable next steps

Who Should Attend:

• Couples who are engaged or newly married and want financial clarity
• Married individuals seeking to protect inherited or family assets
• Homeowners and real estate investors in community property marriages
• Individuals contemplating separation or divorce who want to understand their financial options before making major decisions

We dig into how California’s community property rules collide with real estate, inheritance, and retirement, and why prenups and postnups create clarity that courts rarely do. We show how mediation and a CDFA protect families from avoidable tax traps, buyout mistakes, and commingling.

• defining community vs separate property in California
• how commingling wipes out separate property claims
• real estate pitfalls with title, refinancing and buyouts
• inheritance protections and tracing burdens
• retirement accounts, QDROs and IRA transfers
• mediation steps that cut time, cost and conflict
• using a CDFA for tax-aware, long-term planning
• structuring fair, enforceable prenups and postnups

We will follow up with an email. As far as the survey. And also, if you have any questions, you’re more than welcome and free to contact us.

For further information and details, you can read our articles on related topics or contact California postnuptial lawyers who care: 

San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
9820 Willow Creek Road, Ste 410
San Diego, CA 92131
858-255-1321

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

Jon Bassford joins Mediator and Chief PeaceKeeper™ Scott Levin to share The Co-Parenting Secret—his powerful story of transforming conflict into cooperation after divorce. Together, we explore how curiosity, empathy, and a child-first mindset can turn even the hardest separations into opportunities for peace and growth.

Drawing from his personal journey co-parenting with his former spouse, Jon shares how curiosity and compassion helped him build a peaceful, child-centered relationship grounded in mutual understanding rather than control. Together, Jon and Scott explore the principles of peacekeeping mediation, emotional intelligence, and the daily choices that help families heal and thrive after separation.

🕊️ A must-listen for anyone navigating co-parenting, family conflict, or the path to harmony after divorce.

CONNECT WITH JON
🌐 Get the Book

For other parenting and mediation resources, visit our online co-parenting library for book suggestions, podcasts, great videos, and just a collection of the best, unique, educational sources found anywhere on the web. 

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

Panic screams for quick wins like “just keep the house,” but long-term stability depends on what the numbers say five and ten years from now. We sit down with Certified Financial Planner and CDFA Tatiana Sunik to turn fear into strategy—using clear projections to test settlements against time, taxes, liquidity, and real-life constraints. Together, we break down the most costly divorce mistakes and show you how to make one wise decision now that protects the next decade.

We start by reframing the house obsession. A primary residence can drain cash while investment assets quietly fund freedom. When you compare carrying costs, tax friction, and opportunity cost, that “dream home” can sabotage retirement. Tatiana shares practical ways to keep more money in the family—timing property sales before separation when it helps, avoiding unnecessary refinances at punishing rates, and structuring agreements that stabilize kids without sacrificing your future.

Then we stress-test lump-sum alimony: Why is it offered? What’s a fair discount rate? How do taxes hit? When does a buyout actually improve co-parenting by removing monthly money friction?

Career and custody realities matter too. High-earning executives often overestimate income durability past their mid-50s—tenure risk and industry churn make straight-line assumptions dangerous. We model volatile bonuses, negotiate support around actual caregiving hours, and avoid trading all liquidity for illiquid assets that force a fire sale later.

The theme is simple: let the math speak, then let emotions cool. Mediation and collaboration work best when both sides agree on shared facts and use creativity to preserve cash flow, reduce fees, and align with the life you want after the decree.

If you’re standing at the start of divorce and feel the urge to rush, pause. Gather the numbers. Run the scenarios. Choose with a clear head. Subscribe for more practical guidance, share this with someone who needs a calmer plan, and leave a review with the toughest tradeoff you’re facing—we’ll tackle it in a future episode.

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

In this short but powerful episode, I share a real-life moment I overheard while standing in line at a youth sporting event. A woman was confiding in her friend about her impending divorce, venting frustration after frustration about her husband. What struck me most wasn’t just her pain, but her friend’s response—she didn’t offer comfort or perspective, she simply fueled the fire by adding more negativity. To me, that’s not friendship.

I believe true friends, neighbors, and loved ones should do better. If we really care about the people in our lives, we should encourage them to explore mediation before ever stepping foot in a courtroom. Divorce is already life-altering, and court battles only make it worse. In just four minutes, I share why guiding someone toward mediation is one of the most supportive, loving things we can do.

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

Divorcing with a Business in California? Here's How Valuation and Income Affect Support

When you're dividing a business in divorce, one key rule matters: you can’t count the same money twice.

In this episode, California divorce mediator and attorney Scott Levin is joined by forensic accountant and valuation expert Sara Nanchanatt, owner of S.N. Forensics, LLC, to unpack the complex relationship between business income, valuation, and support obligations in California divorce cases.

We explore how courts treat business income, retained earnings, and owner distributions when calculating child and spousal support—and how to avoid double-dipping when dividing business value and determining income.

Whether you're a business owner, the spouse of one, or a professional navigating financial divorces, this conversation will help you understand how to protect your interests and simplify the process.

In this episode, we cover:

• What counts as income from a business for support
• How distributions, retained earnings, and salary are treated
• When “double-dipping” becomes an issue
• How a fair replacement salary is determined
• Why agreeing on business value early can streamline everything

Learn more about Sara Nanchanatt and her firm at: www.snforensics.com

Need help with a business-owner divorce in California?
Schedule a free consultation with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Mediator Scott Levin at:
www.sandiegofamilylawyer.net/schedule

And learn more about dividing a business in California divorce here. 

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

In this episode, California divorce mediator and attorney Scott Levin breaks down what you need to know about prenuptial agreements, community property laws, and the creative ways couples can protect their futures. Learn from California prenup attorney and CDFA about when a prenup makes sense, what mistakes to avoid, and how mediation can simplify the process.

Perfect for engaged couples, remarriages, and anyone planning wisely.

Topics Covered Include: 

• How community property laws affect your joint finances
• When a prenup makes sense (and when it might not)
• Innovative clauses and provisions to customize your agreement
• Common mistakes couples make—and how to avoid them
• Why mediation can be a smarter, gentler way to manage legal planning

If you’re interested in learning how to safeguard your assets and foster clarity from the start, this episode is for you. Scott combines legal expertise with practical, client-friendly advice—making complex topics accessible and actionable.

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

In this episode, Attorney, Mediator, CDFA, and Chief PeaceKeeper™ Scott Levin sits down with Financial Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Laurie Itkin to break down one of the most complex issues in divorce: how to divide a 401(k).

401(k)s present a unique set of challenges in divorce. These retirement assets often contain both community and separate property, grow in value over time, and require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to divide properly. So how do you determine what portion is marital? How is appreciation handled? What’s the smartest, most tax-efficient way to divide the funds?

👉 Whether you're going through a divorce, advising clients, or simply want to understand the financial intricacies of retirement accounts in family law, this conversation provides essential guidance and real-world clarity.

👩‍💼 About Our Guest – Laurie Itkin

Laurie Itkin is a financial advisor, wealth manager, and CDFA®, and author of the Amazon best-seller Every Woman Should Know Her Options: Invest Your Way to Financial Empowerment. Named one of Investopedia’s Top 100 Financial Advisors, Laurie specializes in divorce-related financial planning through her firm The Options Lady.

🔗 Learn more at: https://www.theoptionslady.com/

🧑‍⚖️ About Scott Levin, Chief PeaceKeeper™

Scott Levin is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, full-time mediator, and family law attorney serving clients throughout California. Founder of San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law, Scott leads couples toward informed, respectful divorce solutions that protect both finances and relationships.

📍 Areas We Serve:

Kensington, La Jolla, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Point Loma, Poway, Del Mar, Santaluz, Coronado, Scripps Ranch, Sabre Springs, Rancho Peñasquitos, Torrey Pines, Bankers Hill — and throughout California.

🌐 https://sandiegofamilylawyer.net/

📲 Connect on Social Media:
 • Facebook: ChiefPeaceKeeper
• Instagram: @SanDiegoDivorceMediation
• LinkedIn: San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law

📝 Read the full transcript:
 Transcript – How to Divide a 401(k) During Divorce

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

Hey everyone, it's family mediator Scott Levin, the Chief Peacekeeper™, and I’m excited to share my recent appearance on the Divorce Doesn’t Suck podcast! In this episode, I talk about why I completely shifted my law practice away from litigation and dedicated my career to helping families navigate divorce peacefully through mediation.

I share how my personal journey, including the birth of my third child, made me realize that divorce should not be a war—and how mediation is the key to protecting families, finances, and co-parenting relationships.

🔹 In this episode, we cover:
✅ Why I left litigation behind to focus 100% on divorce mediation
✅ The biggest mistakes I see divorcing couples make—and how to avoid them
✅ How real estate, finances, and child custody are handled in mediation
✅ Why the traditional courtroom divorce model is outdated and harmful
✅ How you can divorce with dignity, clarity, and financial stability

If you’re going through a divorce, thinking about it, or just want to learn more about how mediation can save you time, money, and stress, this episode is for you.

💬 Drop a comment below—what’s your biggest question about mediation?

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on how to divorce peacefully and protect what matters most!

San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
9820 Willow Creek Road Ste 410
San Diego, CA 92131
Contact San Diego divorce free consultation
858-255-1321

#DivorceMediation #ChiefPeacekeeper #PeacefulDivorce #ScottLevin #FamilyLaw #MediationMatters #DivorceWithDignity #DivorceDoesntSuck

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net

In my discussion with divorce coach Lara Brunstrom, our discussion sheds light on amicable divorce strategies and mindset needed to navigate a separation process with clear objectives. This discussion focuses on a peaceful path forward to end your marriage with no regret or remorse. 

With a compassionate approach and a wealth of expertise, Lara and I share the same guidance we provide clients to help them make informed decisions that prioritize what matters most to their futures.  From understanding the legal landscape to managing emotional challenges and safeguarding financial stability, our insights will hopefully empower listeners and motivate them to choose an affordable future focused divorce mediation approach.

Discover how to divorce coach Lara Brunstrom helps clients navigate divorce with focus on growth and transformation with her thoughtful guidance.

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
[email protected]
858-255-1321
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
www.SanDiegoFamilyLawyer.net