Elaine R. Kiernan, CFP®, CDFA Financial Resource Associates, Inc. Email Us 2161 Delaware Ave. Suite C Santa Cruz, California 95060 Phone: 831-458-1125 Fax: 831-458-0469 Toll-Free: 800-660-3720

Elaine R. Kiernan, CFP®, CDFA, graduated from the University of San Francisco. She is President of Financial Resource Associates, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Certified Senior Advisor and Registered Principal/Branch Manager of Geneos Wealth Management, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC. Her firm, Financial Resource Associates, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisory firm and she has been in practice since 1982. She is fully licensed by the California Department of Corporations and FINRA and is located on the west side of Santa Cruz. 
 
She has been active within the Santa Cruz, California community and has served on the boards of the McPherson Art and History Museum, Santa Cruz Art League, Planned Giving Council of Monterey County, Camp Opportunity, Community Bridges and the Visiting Nurse Association. In 2007 and 2008 she was Co-President of the Monterey Bay Financial Planning Association.
 
Elaine has provided education on financial issues to hundreds of people through regular classes and seminars as well as during many public speaking engagements. She enjoys scuba diving, a lush flower garden, movies and more than anything, her family. Elaine is a widow with four great kids and six delightful grandchildren.
 

Divorce Services

Divorce isn't easy, but it's possible to make it financially fair. Most couples do want to reach a fair settlement. It's a challenge that calls for specialized help, and divorcing couples are asking for financial expertise. Utilizing a neutral Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) saves time and money by assisting clients and their attorneys to discover what is an equitable settlement today as well as in the years following the divorce. 

A CDFA helps formulate a fair and durable agreement.

Clients who select a neutral CDFA can expect to:

• Identify financial hopes, concerns, goals and objectives
• Gather and organize financial data
• Understand the financial implications of the settlement options; including the effects of taxes and inflation
• Have that financial reality check needed to move forward
• Acquire the knowledge needed to confidently make the financial decisions

A CDFA assists by:

• Facilitating safe, honest and informed financial conversations
• Providing an un-biased assessment of finances
• Utilizing charts and graphs explaining the estimated financial results of proposed settlements to ensure a more complete understanding
• Working with a Collaborative Team, when appropriate, to stay on track with the process and maintain open communication with all professionals involved 
• Utilizing the financial data to promote conversation and settlement

Engaging a CDFA early in the process helps divorcing couples take a proactive role in their settlement.  

A common concern is dividing non-monetary assets such as real estate.  For example, one of the parties may want to keep the home they shared. The CDFA works with the couple to determine the financial viability of that request.  Various options will be examined to help them make that decision and any others and move forward in the process.

The goal is to help the couple get through a difficult time as quickly, inexpensively and fairly as possible.

(Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.)

Please email us or visit our website for additional information.