Sharon's Case Studies
DIVORCE
WHO IS ALICE?
SHARON: High energy. Focused. Alice (not her real name) evokes the message: I know what I want. Recognized nationally for her professional expertise, She has a fierce devotion to her young children.
During our pre-meeting phone call, Alice decided that she would feel immense relief if she could understand and talk intelligently about the asset division options and the income and expense charts.
ALICE: My life is changing dramatically. I'm leaving a 12-year marriage. Paul and I worked through the co-parenting issues with the help of the court mediator. That’s a relief.
And now the mediator wants to review our finances. That was no problem for Paul, since he takes care of our finances. Paul prepared charts showing various ways to divide our assets and expenses after the divorce. I'm grateful that he pulled this information together. I really trust him. But there are so many numbers. What do they all mean? I’m a confident professional in my field, but projecting what I’m going to need for my financial future is daunting.
SHARON: Here are the basic questions that will guide our work:
What is a fair division of our assets? I want to be fair, but at the same time I want to make sure I’m OK financially.
After the divorce, am I going to have enough money to live the life I want?
SHARON: High energy. Focused. Alice (not her real name) evokes the message: I know what I want. Recognized nationally for her professional expertise, She has a fierce devotion to her young children.
During our pre-meeting phone call, Alice decided that she would feel immense relief if she could understand and talk intelligently about the asset division options and the income and expense charts.
ALICE: My life is changing dramatically. I'm leaving a 12-year marriage. Paul and I worked through the co-parenting issues with the help of the court mediator. That’s a relief.
And now the mediator wants to review our finances. That was no problem for Paul, since he takes care of our finances. Paul prepared charts showing various ways to divide our assets and expenses after the divorce. I'm grateful that he pulled this information together. I really trust him. But there are so many numbers. What do they all mean? I’m a confident professional in my field, but projecting what I’m going to need for my financial future is daunting.
SHARON: Here are the basic questions that will guide our work:
What is a fair division of our assets? I want to be fair, but at the same time I want to make sure I’m OK financially.
After the divorce, am I going to have enough money to live the life I want?
ALICE'S MONEY DANCE EXPERIENCE
ALICE: After my first Money Dance consultation with Sharon, an intense two hour meeting, I now have a better understanding of Paul’s and my combined resources and what our finances might look like after the divorce. Much of the stress I had gradually melted as we went over every item on the spreadsheets. I actually "got inside the numbers". We made a list of questions to ask at the next meeting with the mediator .To make sure I’d devote sufficient time to complete my tasks, we blocked out appointments on my calendar. Sharon explained that this is the Money Dance process: seeing the financial situation clearly, taking steps to make needed changes and build in accountability. Instead of the divorce proceedings paralyzing me, I focused on my financial future. I'm using Quicken to track my income and expenses, getting credit cards, bank accounts and insurance policies in my name. Most important, I'm getting a glimpse of myself as a smart self-manager of my financial life. I’m ready for this change.
ALICE: After my first Money Dance consultation with Sharon, an intense two hour meeting, I now have a better understanding of Paul’s and my combined resources and what our finances might look like after the divorce. Much of the stress I had gradually melted as we went over every item on the spreadsheets. I actually "got inside the numbers". We made a list of questions to ask at the next meeting with the mediator .To make sure I’d devote sufficient time to complete my tasks, we blocked out appointments on my calendar. Sharon explained that this is the Money Dance process: seeing the financial situation clearly, taking steps to make needed changes and build in accountability. Instead of the divorce proceedings paralyzing me, I focused on my financial future. I'm using Quicken to track my income and expenses, getting credit cards, bank accounts and insurance policies in my name. Most important, I'm getting a glimpse of myself as a smart self-manager of my financial life. I’m ready for this change.
ALICE'S UPDATE
SHARON: Alice maintained her focus and determination throughout the divorce. Embracing her new life, Alice continues to meet her challenges with wisdom and confidence. Well done!
SHARON: Alice maintained her focus and determination throughout the divorce. Embracing her new life, Alice continues to meet her challenges with wisdom and confidence. Well done!
