CDFA Course — Instructor-Led Program
The Instructor-Led Divorce Financial Analysis course provides a structured, collaborative learning experience for professionals seeking in-depth mastery of the CDFA® curriculum. Led by experienced instructors, this 40-hour program blends live, interactive instruction with guided independent study to help participants build confidence in divorce financial analysis and prepare for the CDFA® certification exam.
The course runs over 10 weeks and meets live for one hour each week, complemented by approximately three hours per week of independent study, including assigned readings, case analysis, and discussion activities. Live sessions emphasize discussion, practical application, and clarification of complex concepts, while the asynchronous components allow participants to deepen their understanding at their own pace.
Divorce financial analysis helps clients and their attorneys clearly understand settlement options and the long-term financial impact of divorce decisions. Through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning, this course examines the full range of financial issues encountered in divorce, including:
- Overview of divorce laws and procedures
- Marital versus separate property
- Pensions and retirement plans
- Options for the marital home
- Fundamentals of child and spousal support
- Tax considerations related to asset division and property transfers
- Debt, credit, and bankruptcy considerations
- And more
Course Details
- Start Date: January 5, 2026 (Monday)
- End Date: March 13, 2026 (Friday)
- Format: Online (live virtual sessions combined with independent study)
- Schedule: Live class meets Tuesdays, 3:00–4:00 PM Eastern
- Total Hours: 40 hours (includes approximately 3 hours per week of independent study)
Instructor-led CDFA® courses are offered quarterly and are ideal for professionals who value structured learning, live interaction, and expert guidance throughout the program.
Leslie Blue (Moderator)
CDFA®, AAMS®
Financial Coach, Blue Heart Mediation
Leslie Blue is the founder of Blue Heart Mediation, a center that helps couples in the Mesa/Chandler area divorce in a better way. She spent most of her career in Finance and has focused on helping couples take control of the divorce process to center the family and future financial outcomes for the past five years as a CDFA® Practitioner. Leslie is Series 65 Certified and an AAMS®. She is an instructor for the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts® and she is currently serving on the Board of the The Family Service Agency of Arizona.
Key:
Complete
Next
Failed
Available
Locked
Course Outline
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
1 Question
If you would like to receive CE credit for CFP Board, please provide your CFP number. Please note IDFA only reports CFP Continuing Education Credits to CFP Board of Standards for US CFP Professionals.
Week 1: The Current State of Divorce and the CDFA Professional
The Current State of Divorce and the CDFA Professional
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: The Current State of Divorce and the CDFA Professional
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Session Recording: The Current State of Divorce and the CDFA Professional
Recorded 01/07/2026 | 60 minutes
Recorded 01/07/2026 | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: The Current State of Divorce and the CDFA Professional
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 2: Overview of Divorce Laws and the Expert Witness
Overview of Divorce Laws and the Expert Witness
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Overview of Divorce Laws and the Expert Witness
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Session Recording: Overview of Divorce Laws and the Expert Witness
Recorded 01/14/2026 | 60 minutes
Recorded 01/14/2026 | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: Overview of Divorce Laws and the Expert Witness
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 3: Analyzing the Financial Data
Analyzing the Financial Data
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Analyzing the Financial Data
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Session Recording: Analyzing the Financial Data
Recorded 01/21/2026 | 60 minutes
Recorded 01/21/2026 | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: Analyzing the Financial Data
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 4: Division of Property and Related Tax Issues
Division of Property and Related Tax Issues
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Division of Property and Related Tax Issues
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Session Recording: Division of Property and Related Tax Issues
Recorded 01/28/2026 | 60 minutes
Recorded 01/28/2026 | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: Division of Property and Related Tax Issues
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 5: Division and Tax Treatment of Retirement Plans
Division and Tax Treatment of Retirement Plans
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Division and Tax Treatment of Retirement Plans
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Calculator Review
Open to view video.
Calculator Review
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Session Recording: Division and Tax Treatment of Retirement Plans
Recorded 02/04/2026 | 60 minutes
Recorded 02/04/2026 | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: Division and Tax Treatment of Retirement Plans
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 6: Valuation and Sale of the Marital Home
Valuation and Sale of the Marital Home
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Valuation and Sale of the Marital Home
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Session Recording: Valuation and the Sale of the Marital Home
Recorded 02/11/2026 | 60 minutes
Recorded 02/11/2026 | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: Valuation and Sale of the Marital Home
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 7: Spousal and Child Support
Spousal and Child Support
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Spousal and Child Support
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Session Recording: Spousal and Child Support
Recorded 02/18/2026 | 60 minutes
Recorded 02/18/2026 | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: Spousal and Child Support
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 8: Tax Implications in Divorce Financial Planning
Tax Implications in Divorce Financial Planning
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Tax Implications in Divorce Financial Planning
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Session Recording: Tax Implications in Divorce Financial Planning
Recorded 02/25/2026 | 60 minutes
Recorded 02/25/2026 | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: Tax Implications in Divorce Financial Planning
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 9: Specialty Areas and Other Considerations
Specialty Areas and Other Considerations
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Specialty Areas and Other Considerations
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Live Session: Specialty Areas and Other Considerations
03/03/2026 at 3:00 PM (EST) | 60 minutes
03/03/2026 at 3:00 PM (EST) | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: Specialty Areas & Other Considerations
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Week 10: CDFA Certification Exam Review
Case Studies
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
PDF: Case Studies
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
Live Session: CDFA Certification Exam Review
03/10/2026 at 3:00 PM (EDT) | 60 minutes
03/10/2026 at 3:00 PM (EDT) | 60 minutes
Presentation Slides: CDFA Certification Exam Review
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
2024 CDFA Practice Exam
150 Questions | 2 attempts | 240 minute limit | 113/150 points to pass | Graded as Pass/Fail
150 Questions | 2 attempts | 240 minute limit | 113/150 points to pass | Graded as Pass/Fail
The case studies, tax tables and life expectancy tables are available in the handout section. Please open in separate window prior to beginning the exam.
Note that you may only see all correct answers in your practice exam review after passing or using your 2 attempts.
2024 CDFA Practice Exam II
150 Questions | 2 attempts | 240 minute limit | 113/150 points to pass | Graded as Pass/Fail
150 Questions | 2 attempts | 240 minute limit | 113/150 points to pass | Graded as Pass/Fail
The case studies, tax tables and life expectancy tables are available in the handout section. Please open in separate window prior to beginning the exam.
Note that you may only see all correct answers in your practice exam review after passing or using your 2 attempts.
CE Certificate
No credits available | Certificate available
No credits available | Certificate available
7 Questions
Kindly complete this 5-minute survey as accurately as possible.
| Access Date |
Quiz Result |
Score |
Actions |
