He Handled the Money. Now It’s Your Turn—Without the Panic.

When a relationship ends, the emotional impact is often immediate. What’s less visible—but just as overwhelming—is the shift in financial responsibility that can come with divorce. If your former spouse managed the money, you may suddenly find yourself staring down a maze of unfamiliar tasks: understanding accounts, paying bills, managing taxes, or figuring out how to invest.

It’s normal to feel intimidated, even panicked. But let’s pause here and take a deep breath: you are not alone, and you are not incapable.

At Life Story Financial, we specialize in working with women who are rebuilding after divorce. We don’t expect you to become a financial expert overnight. What we do offer is clear guidance, a steady hand, and a safe space to take back control—one step at a time.

Step One: Understand Where You Stand with Money

Your first job isn’t to overhaul your #finances. It’s simply to understand them.

This starts with gathering the basics—your bank and investment account balances, income sources, outstanding debts, and monthly expenses. If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. You don’t need to organize it perfectly. The goal is to get a snapshot of your financial life as it is right now.

Maybe you received a settlement. Maybe you're receiving or paying spousal support. Maybe you're adjusting to a single income for the first time in years. Whatever your situation, we help you make sense of it, without judgment. We’ll walk through everything together and clarify what’s yours, what’s owed, and what’s possible.

Step Two: Create a Budget That Supports You

Now that the financial dynamic has shifted, it’s time to design a budget that reflects your needs—not your former life, but the one you’re building. This isn’t about deprivation. It’s about clarity.

What does your new monthly #spending look like? Where is your money going, and does it align with what’s important to you? Maybe your priority is maintaining stability for your children. Maybe it’s building up savings for the first time. Maybe you’re finally making space for therapy, education, or travel.

A well-structured budget provides more than numbers—it offers peace of mind. It says, I can do this. I know where I stand.

Step Three: Build a Safety Net You Can Trust

One of the most empowering things you can do during this transition is to create a foundation of financial safety. That means having an emergency fund, understanding your insurance coverage, and making sure key documents—like your will, healthcare directives, and account beneficiaries—are updated to reflect your new life.

This part of the process often gets pushed aside because it feels technical or emotionally charged. But once these pieces are in place, you’ll sleep better at night. It’s about knowing that if life throws another curveball, you’re protected.

Step Four: Plan for the Future—One Step at a Time

After #divorce, your financial goals may look very different than they did before. That’s okay. Maybe you’re thinking about retiring later than planned. Maybe you’re considering re-entering the workforce or changing careers. Maybe you’ve never invested before and now want to start.

We help you map out these new possibilities and make a plan that reflects your story—not anyone else’s. That might mean adjusting your retirement strategy, rebalancing investments, or building savings in a way that feels manageable and meaningful.

This isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about taking small, thoughtful steps toward a more secure and empowered future.

You Don’t Have to Know Everything—You Just Have to Start

Many women feel ashamed for not knowing “basic” financial things after a divorce. But the truth is, these roles often fell along traditional lines in marriages—not because you couldn’t handle the finances, but because someone else was already doing it. That’s not a failure. That’s life.

You are not behind. You are starting fresh.

Learning how to manage your finances is just that: learning. And just like any new skill, it gets easier with the right support. At Life Story Financial, we don’t expect you to know everything. Our job is to educate, empower, and guide you at a pace that feels right for you.

A Partner for This Chapter—and the Next

Taking control of your financial life after divorce can feel like a mountain to climb—but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re navigating immediate needs or thinking long-term, we’re here to help you build a life that reflects your values, your independence, and your peace of mind.

You are capable. You are resilient. And you deserve support from someone who sees your full story—not just the numbers.

You don’t need to go through this alone. A trusted advisor can help you rebuild not just your finances, but your confidence and clarity for the road ahead.

This free checklist is your guide to the most important financial tasks to complete after divorce. Whether you're updating documents, managing accounts, or planning for the future, it will help you take action with confidence.

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To learn what it's like to work with a financial advisor as you're recovering from your divorce, you can book a free call with Life Story Financial.  For more personal finance tips, download my free ebook series that covers debt management, growing your income to save more, investing wisely and retirement planning.