Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) professionals Certification Success Stories

Onward. Upward.

A number of Divorce Financial Analyst professional candidates who have successfully passed their CDFA exams have gone on to achieve tremendous successes. It is our pleasure to introduce you to a few of them now.

Megan Kern:

“I chose the CDFA® designation because I saw how much clients and attorneys needed specialized guidance through the financial complexities of divorce. It wasn’t enough to just run the numbers; I wanted to help people truly understand the long-term impact of their financial decisions. Now, as a forensic accountant and CDFA® professional, I bridge the gap between legal strategy and financial reality. Whether I’m helping attorneys build court-ready cases or walking clients through cash flow projections, the CDFA® lens brings clarity and confidence to every step of the process.”

“In one case, my client was ready to accept a settlement that looked fair on paper, but would have left her financially unstable. Her spouse had stock options, retirement accounts, and a small business, and the proposed division ignored tax impact, liquidity, and future income risks. I broke down the actual post-tax values, projected her long-term cash flow, and helped the legal team negotiate a more secure outcome. Instead of illiquid equity, she received a buyout, kept the home, and gained spousal support that matched her needs. That’s what CDFA® professionals do: we protect futures, not just today’s numbers.”

- Megan Kern, CDFA®, Forensic Accountant, Kern Forensics, LLC

Brenda Bridges:

“When I went through my own divorce, I realized how few professionals truly understood the long-term financial implications of the decisions being made. That experience led me to pursue the CDFA® designation, not just to run numbers, but to bring strategy and insight to people making life-altering choices. Today, as a CDFA® professional at Bridging Divorce Solutions, the designation is central to everything I do. It adds credibility and precision to my work, whether I’m mediating, collaborating with legal teams, or reviewing settlement proposals.”

“One client came to me mid-mediation after being told by her attorney to ‘just take the $80,000 and be grateful you’re getting anything.’ Something didn’t sit right, so she brought me in. After reviewing the disclosures, I identified she was likely entitled to over $500,000. My analysis completely shifted the trajectory of the negotiation—and her financial future. Without the CDFA® lens, she would have walked away with a drastically undervalued settlement. This designation isn’t just helpful—it’s transformative.”

- Brenda Bridges, CDFA®, Mediator, CDC

Danielle Darling:

“Too often, people make emotional or rushed financial decisions during divorce and it can cost them dearly. I chose the CDFA® designation because I wanted to offer more than just generic advice. This training equips me to walk clients through the financial side of divorce with clarity and confidence. It’s not just about numbers it’s about protecting people from being shortchanged, and helping them feel empowered during one of life’s hardest transitions.”

“I’ll never forget a recent client a woman overwhelmed by the process, unsure of her financial future. Through patient education, budgeting support, and scenario planning, I helped her go from fearful to financially confident. She walked away with a fair settlement and a solid plan for moving forward. That’s the power of the CDFA® designation. It gives us the tools to truly make a difference.”

- Danielle Darling, CDFA®, Financial Advisor, LPL Financial

Nancy Hetrick:

"My CDFA Designation has become the primary focus of my business. I actually exited my financial planning practice and now focus 100% on assisting parties going through a divorce. Since I gained my credential in 2011, my divorce revenues have multiplied by10X. Like so many of us, my own divorce experience compelled me to help others go through a divorce in a better way. If this work is calling you, listen to that call! There are millions and millions of couples in this country that desperately need our help. I highly encourage those that feel the calling to dive in with both feet and make it the primary focus of their business. For financial advisors, these clients will roll through to the wealth practice in a much more predictable AUM increase each year than if you were marketing in the traditional way. Go big!"

- Nancy Hetrick, CDFA®, CEO & Founder, Smarter Divorce Solutions

Jen Schimbeno:

"The CDFA designation has been helpful in multiple ways. First and foremost, I feel like I am much more equipped to assist clients and have a greater depth of knowledge to guide them through the divorce transition. Additionally, I have gained additional credibility with local and national attorneys. This has been crucial in my ability to set myself apart from other advisors who do not have the CDFA credential. You will not regret obtaining this designation, The amount of support you can provide to clients is profound. With the amount of divorce in our country, we owe it to our communities to bring this knowledge to our local marketplaces. I chose IDFA because they have a great reputation and their staff is incredibly helpful throughout the process."

- Jen Schimbeno, Co-Founder, Parent Team

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