CDFA - Module 2

Question 1

Why is it important to research state-specific divorce laws?

Answer 1

State laws, local customs, and case precedents significantly impact divorce procedures and outcomes.

Question 2

What online resources can help with divorce law research?

Answer 2

Websites like Legal Information Institute, Westlaw, and LexisNexis provide primary sources and practical tools.

Question 3

Why should clients hire an attorney before filing for divorce?

Answer 3

Attorneys ensure fair asset division, address legal complexities, and reduce risks like tax issues or missed assets.

Question 4

What is a “Pro Se Divorce”?

Answer 4

A divorce where couples represent themselves without legal counsel, often increasing risks of errors.

Question 5

What are some alternative dispute resolution methods for divorce?

Answer 5

Mediation, arbitration, and collaborative divorce offer less adversarial and more cost-effective options.

Question 6

What is the role of a CDFA in alternative dispute resolution?

Answer 6

CDFAs compile financial data, project settlement impacts, and craft tailored financial solutions for families.

Question 7

What is the discovery process in divorce cases?

Answer 7

Discovery gathers evidence through depositions, interrogatories, and document requests to ensure transparency.

Question 8

What are the risks of failing to update legal documents post-divorce?

Answer 8

Unchanged beneficiary designations or accounts can lead to disputes and unintended outcomes.

Question 9

How can emotional decisions affect divorce settlements?

Answer 9

Prioritizing sentimental items can lead to costly legal battles that outweigh the asset’s actual value.

Question 10

Why is a CV important for CDFA professionals in court?

Answer 10

It establishes their expertise and qualifications to act as an expert witness on financial issues.

Question 11

What is the voir dire process in court?

Answer 11

Opposing counsel questions an expert witness’s qualifications to challenge their credibility.

Question 12

How should CDFA professionals handle cross-examination?

Answer 12

Stay concise, confident, and avoid volunteering unnecessary information or guessing answers.

Question 13

What is the focus of effective expert testimony?

Answer 13

Clear, concise financial analysis presented with a straightforward theme to support equitable solutions.

Question 14

What role do judges prefer experts to play in divorce cases?

Answer 14

Provide simple, realistic data and clearly explain financial implications for fair rulings.

Question 15

What is Arbitration?

Answer 15

Arbitration involves a neutral third party deciding a dispute, and the decision is typically binding and final.

Question 16

Define Best Interest of the Child.

Answer 16

A legal standard used by judges to determine custody, visitation, and support arrangements based on what benefits the child most.

Question 17

What is a Collaborative Divorce?

Answer 17

A team approach where professionals from legal, financial, and mental health fields help couples reach amicable settlements without going to court.

Question 18

What does Common Law Marriage mean?

Answer 18

A legally recognized marriage without a formal ceremony, based on cohabitation, recognized in specific states.

Question 19

What is a Contested Divorce?

Answer 19

A divorce where the judge must decide unresolved issues between the parties.

Question 20

Define Decree

Answer 20

The final ruling by a judge that dissolves a marriage or legal separation.

Question 21

What is Discovery?

Answer 21

The legal process of gathering information about the opposing party’s claims, including depositions and document requests.

Question 22

What is No-Fault Divorce?

Answer 22

A divorce granted without requiring proof of wrongdoing by either spouse, based on irreconcilable differences.

Question 23

Define Pendente Lite Support

Answer 23

Temporary financial support ordered by the court until the divorce is finalized.

Question 24

What is a Prenuptial Agreement?

Answer 24

A contract made before marriage outlining how assets and liabilities will be divided in case of divorce.

Question 25

What does Settlement Agreement mean?

Answer 25

A written contract dividing property and settling issues like custody and support, often included in the divorce decree.

Question 26

What is a Temporary Order?

Answer 26

court order granting interim relief, such as support or custody, during the divorce process.

Question 27

What does Voir Dire mean in the context of divorce?

Answer 27

The process where opposing counsel questions the qualifications of an expert witness to challenge their credibility.