Divorcing without a certified divorce financial analyst by your side sets you up for unwanted financial surprises in the future. As you negotiate a settlement through mediation or litigation, what may seem like a fair division of assets may result in an unfair situation in the future. I am Laurie Itkin, a certified divorce financial analyst (also known as a CDFA) and author of the Amazon best seller, Every Woman Should Know Her Options.
I have worked on over 250 California divorce cases, educating men and women on the future impacts of proposed property division and support agreements, and empowering them to make smart financial decisions. In addition to divorce-related services, I provide financial planning and investment management as a financial advisor with Coastwise Capital Group.
I have worked on over 250 California divorce cases, educating men and women on the future impacts of proposed property division and support agreements, and empowering them to make smart financial decisions. In addition to divorce-related services, I provide financial planning and investment management as a financial advisor with Coastwise Capital Group.
Services
Fee based on percentage of assets under management. Fiduciary duty with no commission-based products. Ideal for clients who lack time or expertise to implement an on-going investment strategy including stocks, ETFs, and in some cases options to generate income or hedge risk. Consulting charged by the hour or flat-fee.
Laurie Itkin is a financial advisor, wealth manager, and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA). She serves on the national board of directors for the Association of Divorce Financial Planners. She is also the author of the Amazon best-seller, Every Woman Should Know Her Options: Invest Your Way to Financial Empowerment.
Working with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) is a cost-effective way to protect against big financial mistakes that could impact you and your family in the future. Based on information you provide, I use Family Law software to run various scenarios that help individuals or couples explore the impacts of options regarding child and spousal support and property division.
Mediation Money Mentor helps you understand your financial situation, determine what you need for your future, and effectively advocate for yourself during divorce mediation. Laurie Itkin is a certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) and is not authorized to provide legal advice. You'll receive guidance on how to quickly and accurately complete your required financial disclosures regarding assets, debts, income, and expenses.
Hiring one financial expert instead of two is a good way to save money during divorce and ensure both parties are educated and informed about options to fairly divide assets and debts as well as minimize hassles and confusion. Whether you work with a mediator or each party is represented by an attorney, a CDFA acting in the role of a neutral can provide valuable services that can reduce the time and cost of divorce.
Reviews (20)
Shelley S.
Jan 26, 2022
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Laurie was such a helpful resource to have as I was going through my divorce. I highly recommend her. It was wonderful to have her in my corner. She was highly knowledgeable in the financial aspects of a divorce. I wanted to go into mediation knowing my rights and with her guidance I felt comfortable during my meditation process. Don’t hesitate to reach out to her!!
Shaun Collett
Jan 20, 2022
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Adriana Obregon
Jan 17, 2022
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Doug Bca
Jan 07, 2022
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Laurie Itkin did a great job during my divorce negotiation and mediation process. She performed financial analyses of our retirement accounts, including some where the older statements and records were lost. Even with this difficulty, her analyses were clear, accurate, and persuasive. It allowed me to have a good negotiation process.
Laurie Itkin communicates well, she is very responsive, and her work is trustworthy.
Laurie Itkin communicates well, she is very responsive, and her work is trustworthy.
J. Colucci
Nov 18, 2021
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Laura McGee
Aug 04, 2021
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I am a seasoned divorce mediator and I have had the pleasure of working with Laurie Itkin in her capacity as a CDFA for about seven years now. She is my first choice time and again for clients who need the skills of a CDFA to help decipher their complex financial issues.
Laurie's ability to explain, detail, and break down the appropriate allocations of community versus separate property, schedule RSUs, and Options, delineate income available for support versus community property, and trace through complex Moore/Marsden fact patterns and produce a report that both parties can understand is truly
Laurie's ability to explain, detail, and break down the appropriate allocations of community versus separate property, schedule RSUs, and Options, delineate income available for support versus community property, and trace through complex Moore/Marsden fact patterns and produce a report that both parties can understand is truly
Sas Info
Jul 26, 2021
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As a divorce coach, I greatly appreciate Laurie's savvy and compassion. My clients who meet with her through our group coaching program, Annie's Group, are assured of getting great feedback and also a sympathetic ear. Her info sessions in Annie's Group classes never fail to receive rave reviews from participants. Many report that she is just the RIGHT push to really get moving on understanding their finances; because Laurie genuinely understand the divorce journey for women. Thank you, Laurie!
Jami F.
Jun 18, 2021
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I am a Family Law Collaborative Attorney and Mediator and finances are always a challenging topic for divorcing couples to discuss. I have been fortunate to attend presentations Laurie has given for Southern California Mediation Association and work with her on some of my cases. She is super smart and knowledgeable and able to present financial data to the clients in understandable terms. Laurie has been a real asset and I hope to continue working with her in the future.
Jenna Blackmon
Mar 12, 2021
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Laurie recently presented to a group I am a part of consisting of family law attorneys and mediators. We all were so impressed by Laurie's expertise and professionalism, and will certainly be reaching out to her for her assistance with future matters! I would highly recommend Laurie for any financial issues related to divorce.
Rob Humbracht
Feb 08, 2021
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Laurie is exactly the kind of person you want in your corner during a divorce: experienced, brilliant, and completely willing to tell you what she thinks you should do. These people are hard to find, and the best part is Laurie could charge A LOT more for her services than she does. Did I mention that she's also incredibly responsive?
Tamar A.
Jun 07, 2020
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Laurie was a godsend for me! I am in my second year of working through a divorce and needed some immediate financial guidance. My lawyer recommended I reach out to Laurie, and that same day she was able to book an appointment for me (it helps that Zoom is the norm these days)! She spoke candidly with me and gave me all of the advice I needed to move forward. I would recommend her to anyone seeking financial guidance, particularly going through a divorce. Laurie is amazing!
Kelli M.
May 18, 2020
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My fiance and I met with Laurie Itkin via Zoom to verify we were on the right track financially to buy a home, welcome a baby, and determine how to invest for retirement. She reviewed our accounts, listened to our priorities, and gave us valuable tips. Laurie really earned our trust as she really put our needs and goals first. Thank you so much Laurie.
Mila Michelle
Sep 06, 2019
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I met Laurie through the Worthy network and she has been invaluably helpful in my divorce process. She has helped me devise an investment strategy which works best for me and my goals. She has also put me in touch with top professionals in other fields where I needed advice. Laurie is knowledgeable, helpful, ethical and she’s truly passionate about helping her clients. I would HIGHLY recommend Laurie to anyone looking for financial or investment guidance; she’s a great asset to have on your team!
Sarah M.
Jul 06, 2019
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Melody K.
Apr 30, 2019
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Trese Y.
Feb 23, 2019
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Laurie is a tremendous source of knowledge and insight into a multitude of financial situations, while also being kind and compassionate along the way. My situation is probably more common than most know; almost at retirement age with no previous guidance and very few resources. Based on life's curve-balls, and various bad decisions in the past, I needed some real down to earth guidance, opinions and options. That is exactly what Laurie did for me. Within the first ten minutes, she found a mistake in my taxes that will increase my refund this year. She went over all my financial information
Adia G.
Nov 18, 2018
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Don't hesitate to contact Laurie. With the vast amount of information on the internet, sometimes it's difficult to know where to start. I always had good intentions about saving, investing, and preparing for future financial endeavors but inevitably would refrain because I was afraid of making a costly mistake. I was lucky enough to find Laurie via Yelp and I'm so grateful to her. We had an informative consultation and a very productive 90 minute meeting where she reviewed my finances and gave me a game plan that I could execute on my own. She was amenable to weekend and Skype
M. T.
Mar 23, 2018
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Laurie spoke to us at a WITI (Women in Technology International) luncheon. She is very knowledgeable and gave an overview of how to transition from your current state to a desired state (single to married, working to retired or how to start off saving for your retirement). The audience found her knowledgeable, personable and extremely helpful creating win win solutions for both sides (if there are two parties involved). Ms. Itkin has the ability to see it from the clients' point of view and responded to inquiries with her vast experience and knowledge. Her newsletters are an additional resource
Heidi M.
Aug 18, 2017
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Laurie was an incredible resource and help to me in the course of my divorce process. She asks all the right questions and provided support and financial guidance throughout a very difficult process of ending a 31 year marriage and all the financial and emotional issues that entails She is exceptionally responsive and really cares about her clients. She is diplomatic and ethical and was able to represent both my ex-husband and me (2 lawyers) through the mediation process with exceptional professionalism and diplomacy. Highly recommend to anyone before filing for or even considering divorce
Elaine M.
Jul 10, 2017
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