Ep. 177 Hazel Secco: Don't Do Divorce Finances Alone

Join Paulette and Hazel for this conversation about Divorce Finances. About Hazel: Hazel Secco is the founder and CEO of Align Financial Solutions, LLC. She brings over a decade of financial industry experience with a passion for advocating women’s financial wellness as a CFP and a CDFA. Hazel's mission is to empower women through education, enabling them to make informed decisions with confidence and clarity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:19 Definition of a CDFA 02:08 Difference between a CDFA and a CPA 03:17 Different Financial Professionals in Divorce 04:13 Choosing Financial Professionals in Divorce 05:10 Challenges for Female Financial Planners 06:35 Establishing a New Financial Life After Divorce 07:00 Equitable Division of Marital Assets 07:29 Different Laws for Equitable Division 08:23 Personal Money Stories 09:12 The Importance of Financial Documentation 10:09 Personal Motivation for Helping People with Money 11:14 The Journey to Becoming a Financial Advisor 12:08 The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Money Attitudes 13:05 Transitioning to Helping Women Through Divorce 15:09 The Importance of Money Education in Divorce 16:06 Understanding Risk and Gambling 17:31 The Mystery of CDFA Designation 20:16 The Lack of Awareness about CDFAs 21:41 The Importance of Finding the Right Financial Professional 22:41 Creating Different Financial Scenarios 24:08 The Complexity of Financial Affidavits 25:05 The Importance of Organizing Finances 26:05 The Consequences of Incorrect Financial Information 27:13 The Challenges of Filling Out Financial Affidavits 28:08 The Emotional Attachment to the Marital Home 29:08 Creating Scenarios for Financial Decision-Making 30:05 Considering Financial Goals and Priorities 32:18 The Emotional Decision-Making Process 34:00 The Importance of a Holistic Financial Approach 35:19 The Role of Real Estate and Mortgage Experts 36:23 The Impact of Debt in Divorce 37:17 The Takeaway: Finding the Right Financial Professional