Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) Program — Course Description

This course contains modules 1 - 5 of the 10 CDFA courses.

The Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) Program prepares experienced financial and divorce professionals to become specialists in the financial complexities of divorce. Divorce Financial Planning applies the principles of financial planning specifically to divorce settlement strategies, requiring a deep understanding of how tax, retirement, insurance, property, and cash flow decisions intersect during divorce—and how those decisions shape a client’s long-term financial future.

Through this comprehensive, self-paced program, participants gain the expertise needed to help divorcing clients and their legal teams fully understand settlement options and their financial consequences. The curriculum explores a wide range of divorce-related financial topics, including divorce laws and procedures, marital versus separate property, pensions and retirement plans, options for the marital home, child and spousal support fundamentals, tax considerations related to asset division and property transfers, debt and credit issues, bankruptcy considerations, and more.

Designed for busy professionals, the CDFA® Program offers a flexible, self-directed learning experience with no fixed class times. The program includes all required reading materials, interactive learning modules, videos, case studies, quizzes, and exam preparation resources—all accessible digitally. Most participants complete the coursework in approximately three months, though learners have up to one year from the date of purchase to complete the program and sit for the CDFA® certification exam, which is included in the program cost.

Who It’s For

The CDFA® Program is intended for financial professionals and divorce industry practitioners who want a structured, in-depth curriculum without the constraints of scheduled classes.

Key Benefits

• Learn at your own pace with a fully self-directed format
• Rich multimedia content, including real-world case studies
• Immediate access to all digital course materials
• Exam preparation resources included
• One-year access to complete coursework and take the certification exam

Eligibility Requirements

The CDFA® designation is an advanced program and is not intended for entry-level professionals. Eligibility requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in finance or divorce-related work and a bachelor’s degree. Divorce industry experience is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility standards are established by the Board of Advisors. For a full list of recognized designations or questions about prerequisites, please refer to the FAQs or contact info@institutedfa.com.