Pro Se Mediation: Financial Preparation and the Role of a CDFA in Protecting Children’s Futures

Our mediator, Tina Keyes, was recently featured in an interview with We Chat Divorce, where the topic was focused on financial support during Pro Se Mediation. Watch the full interview:

Pro se divorce mediation is a process where couples represent themselves without attorneys and work with a neutral mediator to reach a settlement. It is often chosen because it’s affordable, efficient, and cooperative, making it especially appealing to parents who want to minimize conflict for their children.

Benefits of Pro Se Mediation

Lower Costs compared to hiring attorneys.
Privacy and Control over decision-making.
Faster Resolutions than traditional litigation.
Collaboration instead of adversarial court battles.

Why Financial Preparation Matters in Divorce Mediation

Dividing one household into two is complex. Without financial planning, it’s easy to overlook critical details that can affect both parents and children for years.

Common Financial Challenges in Pro Se Mediation

Asset and debt division
Child support calculations
Budgeting for two households
Tax implications of divorce settlements
Planning for children’s education and healthcare

Proper financial preparation for mediation ensures agreements are fair, realistic, and sustainable.

Steps to Prepare Financially for Pro Se Mediation

Gather documents – tax returns, bank statements, retirement accounts, mortgage info.
List assets and debts – including marital and separate property.
Create a post-divorce budget – account for both living expenses and child-related costs.
Consider future needs – braces, extracurriculars, college tuition.
Clarify your priorities – what matters most to you and your children’s stability.

How a CDFA Supports Couples in Pro Se Mediation

A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) helps parents make informed financial decisions before or during the mediation process. Their expertise ensures that no detail—immediate or long-term—is missed.

Ways a CDFA Helps:

Clarifying finances with clear reports and summaries.
Modeling scenarios (keeping the home vs. selling, different support timelines, custody impacts).
Addressing tax issues related to child credits, retirement accounts, or asset transfers.
Planning for children’s needs beyond child support, like education, activities, and medical costs.
Future-proofing agreements against job loss, retirement, or remarriage.

Protecting Children’s Long-Term Financial Future

Children’s well-being is the core concern for most parents in mediation. While child support covers day-to-day needs, true financial security requires long-term planning.

Key Areas a CDFA Helps Parents Plan For:

Education savings (529 plans, tuition planning)
Healthcare and insurance coverage
Extracurricular activities and enrichment
Life and disability insurance to secure obligations
Special needs support beyond age 18 if required

This type of planning ensures that children have stability not only during childhood but also as they transition into adulthood.

The Value of Investing in Financial Expertise

While many couples choose pro se mediation to save money, bringing in a CDFA is often an investment that pays for itself.

Avoid costly mistakes in asset division and taxes.
Reduce the risk of returning to court later.
Ensure child-focused financial stability for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Pro se mediation offers couples the chance to keep divorce affordable, respectful, and child-centered. But its success depends heavily on financial preparation.

By working with a CDFA, parents can:

Gain clarity on their financial picture.
Make informed, fair, and sustainable decisions.
Protect their children’s long-term financial security.

Divorce is a transition—but with the right preparation and support, it doesn’t have to mean financial uncertainty for your family’s future.

If you would like to speak with Tina Keyes about whether pro se mediation is a good fit for you, book a FREE CONSULTATION here: https://calendly.com/tinakeyes/30min

If you are interested in My Divorce Solution, mentioned on this podcast, click here: https://mydivorcesolution.com/