Assisting Families in Transition: Divorce and Estate Disputes
Background:
In private practice with financial expertise and focus on helping families in divorce. Since late 1990s, Cathy has been instrumental in the development of the financial professional role in Collaborative Divorce not only at home in the San Francisco-Monterey Bay area, yet worldwide. An interdisciplinary team approach to dispute resolution has expanded the financial role in a way that helps to facilitate the process and assist the family through divorce. Lawyers are more engaged with focus on their own roles. Cathy’s areas of experience, skill and knowledge include:
- Facilitation, Financial Education, and Teamwork (helping to make sense of it all)
- Financial Issues in Divorce
- Non-defensive Communications
- Divorce Settlement Analysis
- Cash Management (spending patterns, budgeting)
- Equity Incentives/ Stock Options/ RSUs, Investments, Digital Assets & Cryptocurrencies
- Retirement & Pension Plans
- Risk Management (insurance/annuities, life, disability, long-term care)
- College Funding
- Social Security
- Financial Assessment and Cash Flow Modeling
Organizations & Honors:
- CPSV – Collaborative Practice Silicon Valley, member since 1999
- Board member (2002-2021), past-President (2005)
- past-Treasurer (2007-16)
- Program Committee, Chair – 2017-2021
- Trusts & Estates Committee, member – since 2022
- Public Education Committee, member – since 2023
- CPVT – Collaborative Practice Vermont – since 2018
- IACP – Int’l Academy of Collaborative Professionals, member – since 1999
- Trainer Faculty member – 2020-2022
- Board member – 2015-2017
- Training Advisory Committee, Chair/coChair – 2015-2016
- Standards & Ethics drafting Committee – 2003-2006, 2017
- Advisory Council on Collaborative Training – 2004-2005
- Active Forum workshop Presenter – since 2000
- CP Cal – Collaborative Practice California, member – since 2005
- Eureka Award Honoree 2006 ‘Awarded to those who “have made significant contributions and have demonstrated an abiding dedication to establishing and sustaining Collaborative Practice in California.’
Professional Memberships:
- CFP Board of Standards; Certified Financial Planner – since 1997
- Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA) – since 1998
- Association for Divorce Financial Planners (ADFP), Calif. Chapter – co-founder 1998
- Financial Planning Association (FPA) – Silicon Valley Chapter – 1998-2018
- Santa Clara County Bar Association – 1999–2015
- Toastmasters International – Downtown Santa Cruz Chapter – since 2013
- Santa Cruz Longboard Union (SCLU) – since 2010
Education:
- San Jose State University – B.S. Finance and Economics
- CFP Board of Standards – CFP® License
- Institute for Certified Divorce Planners – CDP/CDFA® Certification
Articles / Publications / Blogs:
- 10 Common Money Mistakes in Divorce
- What You Need to Know About Divorce, Money and Taxes
- The Financial Piece – Divorce Financial Planners Assist the Family, the Attorneys, the Process . . .
- Financial Specialists Prove To Be Key In Collaborative Divorce
- Ten Tips from the Financial Specialists
- Partnering with Your Financial Professional
- Engaging the Financial Professional in Collaborative Practice
- The Neutral Financial Professional: A Unique Opportunity, a Singular Responsibility
Additional Training:
in Conflict Resolution, Collaborative Divorce, Mediation, Communications and Facilitation.
- Non-Defensive Communications – Sharon Ellison (PNDC) (70 + hrs)
- Insight Approach to Conflict and Mediation (28 +hrs)
- DNA Behavior: Teams and Leadership incl. Virtual Teams (12+ hrs)
- Working With Virtual Teams in Conflict Resolution
- The RACE Method: Anti-Racism and The White Ally Toolkit -The Dialogue Co. (10+ hrs)
- Mediation – facilitative, interest-based & narrative (240+ hrs)
- Facilitation – Effective Facilitation Training (48+ hrs)
- Collaborative Divorce. Fundamentals of Collaborative Law (1999)
- Collaborative DivorceSM (Interdisciplinary approach) (1999, 2001, 2002, 2016, 2021, 2022)
- Collaborative Team Training for Probate, Trusts & Estates (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
- Advanced Trainings – Collaborative Law (2000, 2001, 2003) +
- Calif. Family Law Refresher Courses – CFLR (since 2000)
- Ethics and Team Ethics
- High Conflict Co-Parent Communication – BIFF by Bill Eddy, JD, LCSW
- Blockchain and Digital Assets (Certificate DACFP) & Classes (35+ hrs)
- H&R Block Income Tax Course (66 hrs)
- Income Tax and Tax Aspects of Divorce & Equity Incentives – annual 8-hour updates
- Equity Incentives (support, property)
- Investments, Annuities, Life Insurance and Financial Planning
- Pensions & QDROs, Pension cases
- Employee Benefits
- Statutes: California Family Codes
- Tracing and Reimbursements
- Business Interests
Teaching: Trainings and Programs Provided by Cathy.
2023:
- CPSV Ethics & Protocols for Collaborative Divorce
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
2022:
- LACFLA Interdisciplinary Introductory Collaborative Practice Training – hybrid live and zoom
- Suzy Miller’s Divorce TV video podcast – A no-court approach to divorce
- IACP Interdisciplinary Introductory Collaborative Practice Training
- CPSV Annual Retreat coFacilitator: Developing Curiosity & Interests in Peacemaking
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
2021:
- CPSV Annual Retreat coFacilitator: Diversity, Inclusion, Messaging and the RACE Method
- CP VT Engaging the Financial Neutral; Building Trust & Predictability
- CP Cal & CP VT Divorce Options Workshops
2020:
- CPSV Annual Retreat: A Founder’s Story –
- What Drew me to Collaborative Practice, Challenges, Fears and Personal Shifts
- CP New England Collaborative Project – 2nd Annual Event. Planning Committee
- CP Cal and CP VT Divorce Options Workshops
2019:
- CP Cal Conference XIV:
- Creative Storytelling-Educating & Engaging Clients About Collaborative Dispute Resolution
- Assessing Collaborative Suitability- Challenging Characteristics of Individuals and Couples
- CP New England – 1st Annual Event: Commitment & Creativity in Collaborative Practice
- IACP 20th Annual Forum:
- Enrolling Clients into the Collaborative process
- Shifting Our Perceptions: Small Changes, Big Impact
- A Trainers’ Gathering – Worldwide Trainers Unite to Schmooze & Learn
- CP Cal & CP VT Divorce Options Workshops
2018:
- CPSMC Annual Retreat: Bridging the Gap, Options to Consensus
- CPSV -Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017: The Biggest Change Since the 1980s.
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
- CP Vermont – Introduction to Divorce Options workshops
2017:
- CP Cal Conference XII: Can’t We All Just Get Along? Professional Responsibility & Ethics within Interdisciplinary Collaborative Teams
- CPSV Annual Retreat: Developing Team Skills Together – An Interest Based Approach
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
2016:
- IACP webinar: Collaborative Practice and Evolving Ethical Standards
- IACP 17th Annual Forum: Revisiting the IACP Ethical Standards
- Collaborative Divorce Vancouver and BC Collaborative Roster Society: Increasing the Use of Financial Professionals in Collaborative Practice
- Rotary Club Campbell Ca.: Collaborative Trusts & Estates
- CP Cal Conference XI: Training for Trusts & Estates Options
- CPSV – Interdisciplinary Trusts & Estates Training
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
2015:
- IACP 16th Annual Forum: Building a Collaborative Relationship from Client/Team Strengths
- IACP 16th Annual Forum: Ethics & Estates: Are the Sins of the Past Fatal?
- CPSV – The First Interview!
- CP Cal Celebration 10: Building a Collaborative Relationship from Client/Team Strengths
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
2014:
- IACP Institute Milan, Italy – How Money and Emotions Impact our Collaborative Work
- IACP Int’l Forum, Vancouver, BC – Real-World Ethical Predicaments in Collaborative Matters and Ethics Cafe for Advanced Practitioners
- Victoria, BC Practice Group Training – Next Steps: Working with the Whole Team Approach
- MCPG, Marina, CA – A Collaborative Financial Training: Expanding the Neutral Roll – Beyond the Basics
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
2013:
- Mosten Mediation Training, Los Angeles, CA – co-trainer, Basic Divorce Mediation (40 hrs)
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
- Palo Alto Area Bar Assoc (PAABA) – Meet Collaborative Divorce: 2013
- Collaborative Council of the Redwood Empire (CCRE) – Coming Through the Gate: Sharing Our Secrets
2012:
- CP Cal Divorce Options Workshops
- MRI – Interdisciplinary Team Approach to Helping Divorcing Couples
- CPSV – Collaborative Team Training for Trust & Estate Professionals
- Victoria, BC Training – One Step Beyond: A Collaborative Team Training
- IACP Teleconference – Integrating Financial Professionals into your Practice Groups
2011:
- IACP Int’l Forum – Sex, Lies and Money: Techniques and Strategies for Managing Broken Trust
- Pro bono Project Silicon Valley – Family Law Settlement Project Training
- Silicon Valley Bar Assoc (SVBA) – Taking Your Trusts & Estates Team to the Next Level
2010:
- Association for Divorce Fin’l Planners – Annual Forum NYC: Building Professionalism
- San Mateo County Civil Attorneys – Getting Us Off the Ground with Trusts and Estates
2009:
- Hoge-Fenton Law Firm – Collaborative Practice: An Alternative Dispute Resolution Process; No Court Intervention
- CPSV – Creating Common Practices: Protocols and Principles
- CPSV – How Financial Professionals Can Work More Effectively with Other Team Members
- CPSV – Discovery & Disclosure in Collaborative Practice
- CPSV – The Financial Specialist as a Neutral
- CPSV – Putting Protocols in Place: The First Full Team Meeting
- Cupertino School District – Financial Planning: Getting Down to the Basics
- FPA Roundup – New Opportunities Emerge for the Financial Professional
- The Green Group – Financial Professionals Bring the Power of Neutrality to the Team
- Kaiser Permanente – Collaborative Practice: The Team Approach
2008:
- Collaborative Practice Silicon Valley – The Fully Integrated Team: Collab Divorce Cases
- Collaborative Practice San Mateo – Engaging the Fin’l Prof’l in Collaborative Practice
2007:
- American Psychological Assoc (APA) – Collab Practice – An Alt. To Divorce As Usual
- Calif. State Teachers’ Retirement Sys. (CALSTRS) – Planning For Your Future
- CFP® Professionals’ Study Group – Engaging the Fin’l Planner in Collab Practice
- CFP®/CPA Professionals – Collaborative Training for Financial Professionals in Divorce
- Collaborative Training for Financial Professionals – San Jose, CA
- Int’l Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), Statewide Conference – Creative & Durable Settlements: Engaging the Financial Neutral
2006:
- APA- Collaborative Practice – An Alternative To Divorce as Usual
- CA Marriage & Family Therapists – Collaborative Practice – An Alt. To Divorce as Usual
- CALSTRS – Planning For Your Future
- Collaborative Practice Silicon Valley (CPSV) – Fundamentals of Collab Practice
- CPSV – Advanced Training
- CP Cal Statewide Conference – Applying Ethics In Your Collaborative Practice
- IACP Annual Forum – Applying Ethics in Your Collaborative Practice
- Financial Divorce Assoc (FDA) Teleclass -The Financial Planner’s Role in Collaborative Practice
- University of CA, Santa Cruz – CFP® Student Forum – Engaging the Financial Professional in Collaborative Divorce
2005:
- American Home Mortgage – Get Yourself Ready to Buy a Home
- CALSTRS – Planning for Your Future
- CPSV – Advanced Training
- CPSV – Fundamentals of Collaborative Practice
- Financial Planning Assoc (FPA): Silicon Valley – Divorce Isn’t Easy, But It Can Avoid the Court Process
- FPA: East Bay – CFPs Help Sort Through the Dollars & Cents in Divorce
- FDA Teleclass – How the Financial Professional Fits into Collaborative Practice
- IACP Skills Institute – Neutrality and the Financial Professional
- Rotary Clubs: San Francisco Bay Area – Collaborative Divorce; Better for Families/Better for Children
2004:
- CALSTRS – Planning for Your Future
- Collaborative Practice Group – An Evolving Role: The Financial Professional
- CPSV – Basic Training
- IACP Annual Forum – Applying Ethics in Your Collaborative Practice
- FDA – Collaborative Training for Financial Professionals in Divorce
2003:
- CALSTRS – Planning For Your Future
- College for Divorce Specialists (CDS) Teleclass – Collaborative Training for Financial Prof’ls in Divorce
- CDS – Financial Foundations in Divorce Instructor
- IACP Annual Forum – Partnering with Your Financial Professional
2002:
- CALSTRS – Planning for Your Future
2001:
- Attorney/CPA Group – Divorce & Money
- CALSTRS – Planning for Your Future
- Collaborative DivorceSM Professional Inter-Disciplinary Team Trainer
2000:
- CALSTRS – Planning for Your Future
- DivorceHelp Mediation – Divorce & Money
- FPA Annual Finance Fair – Avoid Money Mistakes in Divorce
- IACP Annual Forum – Financial Issues Surrounding Divorce
1999:
- Attorney/CPA Group – Divorce & Money
- CALSTRS – Planning for Your Future
- Collaborative Law Association – Divorce & Money
- FPA – Panel Member – Divorce & Money
1998:
- Attorney/CPA Group – Divorce & Money
- Collaborative Alternatives – Financial Professionals Offer More