Finding Trusted Support for Your Journey

There are times in life when it’s best to reach out to skilled, trustworthy professionals to help achieve a goal that’s beyond our reach. During and after your divorce, it will serve you well to have the right group of people on your side. It can make a world of difference to have a support network advocating for your family’s best interest; you’ll also gain valuable peace of mind having the following resources handy during this transition period.

Financial Advisors

A financial advisor offers advice and helps clients strategize on ways to grow financial wealth, through savings, strategic investments and the like. While good financial planning always has the long term in mind, a good planner can also help you achieve important short-term financial goals—for example, purchasing a home or business, or restructuring after a divorce.

Not everyone calling himself/herself a financial advisor or financial planner is properly trained or qualified. It is highly advisable to only work with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), meaning he or she has passed the test administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Real Estate Agents

If your divorce involves a move, you’re likely to need an experienced real estate agent to help you find your new home. If you’re staying local, you might already have a relationship with an agent you trust, but if you’re relocating to another community, finding the right agent can be a challenge. You should look for an agent who has the following characteristics:

• A native of the area, or someone who has lived there a long time
• Someone with demonstrated knowledge of the local housing market
• Someone who comes well-recommended, if possible

For an added layer of protection, choose a REALTOR® – that is, a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and adheres to their code of ethics.

Insurance Professionals

When going through a divorce, you’ll almost certainly be making changes to your insurance policies or taking out new insurance policies, including auto insurance, homeowner/renter’s insurance, life and health insurance. You might need more than one insurance professional to help you through this process since not every agent or broker is licensed to write all types of insurance.

Insurance agents generally fall into two categories: a captive agent works exclusively for one insurance carrier, while an independent agent/broker is licensed to write for a number of different companies. If you’re particularly loyal to a certain carrier, a captive agent may suffice; otherwise, an independent agent can usually offer more options and often better rates. Always check the agent’s credentials; there are many certification designations within the insurance field (e.g., PLCS, CPCU, CIC), so ask about the agent’s certifications and what they stand for to ensure that agent is duly qualified to write the type of policy you need.

Family and/or Mental Health Counselors

Divorce is a traumatic life event, one that many people could use a little professional help processing. It’s both appropriate and recommended for you to see a counselor for regular sessions, especially if you’re having trouble dealing with your own emotional fallout. However, choosing a good counselor or therapist can be tricky because a lot of people calling themselves counselors only have limited training or certification.

It is highly advisable to only choose a counselor, therapist, or psychologist who is duly licensed as such, and preferably one with at least a graduate degree in a mental health or social-related field, such as psychology, counseling, social work or marriage/family therapy. If you’re considering a counselor who claims to specialize in divorce counseling, make sure he/she still has the proper education and credentials and didn’t just go through an unaccredited training program from a self-help organization.

Divorce & Family Law Attorneys

Hiring the right family law attorney will help you avoid many of the pitfalls and problems associated with divorce. But how do you know you’re hiring a legal team who will endlessly advocate for you and your family? Instead of focusing only on the traditional licenses, certifications, and awards, dig a little deeper to determine whether they have your best interest at heart. Trust us when we say it is possible to find honest and compassionate divorce representation to help you through this challenging time in your life.

At the Law Offices of Silky Sahnan, we take every measure to make your divorce as stress-free, efficient, and productive as possible, while protecting your rights and best interests. Please contact us at 888-228-1098 to set up your consultation appointment when you are ready. We are here to help you get started on the path towards a new and brighter beginning.

Additional Resources:

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