We’ve all heard of LinkedIn… it’s the website you use to network yourself and your skills, make connections, and eventually get job offers. A lot of people use it to keep up with the people in their field they admire, to inspire them and give them goals. Others use it to recruit potential employees, evaluating applicants on the content of their personal page and connections. Regardless, LinkedIn seems like a great resource for job offers, connecting with others in your field, and building your portfolio. So, do you actually need a LinkedIn profile?

Some say that having a LinkedIn is a waste of time. According to an article written by Wall Street Journal, most connections yield little to no activity and few interactions. Many users let their profiles fade out of date and rarely update their information. The site has also been criticized in recent years for its unappealing appearance, lack of user-friendliness, and often overwhelming users with spam instead of real connections. It seems like most people have an account because they’ve been told they need one – not because they’re interested in using it to network.

On the other side of the spectrum, many recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn to look for job candidates. Many LinkedIn users get job offers through the website right out of college, others use it to connect with peers and build professional relationships. Users who regularly update their profile are more likely to be noticed by potential employers and can build more connections. Recruiters advise to think of a LinkedIn as a digital resume – a tool that is becoming increasingly crucial. However, many say that your success on the website is determined by your field.  

Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine if you need a LinkedIn. Evaluate if it will benefit you in your job search, if it’s a commonly used tool in your field, and how it could boost your online presence. If anything, LinkedIn could provide you with some inspiration and goals for your professional life. If you consistently update your page, make lots of valid and strong connections, and are actively using it to search for a job, it could be a great benefit. It’s all what you make of it, so use your profile to your advantage and make your dream job a reality.  

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Boxes that have been checked off the list so far:

✔ eliminated 2 unnecessary doorways leading outdoors

✔ replaced all the windows

✔ added a full view glass garage door to the training area

✔ centered and added a 9 foot front door

✔ converted the heating/AC unit to freestanding to create more space

Connect with our tribe on Facebook and Instagram for more frequent #reno updates!

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Kristen Hafner – Founder of Financial Moxie

Decisions, we make them every day. From what we’re having for breakfast to what credit card to use to buy that amazing new pair of heels, the consequences of our choices can make a big splash or barely cause a ripple. But no matter how small or big the decision is, you can never predict what may come of it in the near or distant future. 

There’s an important advantage to keep in mind when approaching a decision: “Saying yes to one thing means saying no to another.” For example, if you have a fitness plan in place and decide to skip a day, you may have to say “no” to an activity further in the future. The underlying issue with decision-making is commitment; if you’ve committed to a diet, fitness, or financial plan, sticking to it will allow you to say “yes” to things in the future. Check out our Health, Wealth, and Finding Balance article for more on this. If, however, you decide to stray from your plan, you will likely suffer consequences that could set you back. The thing to remember is this: make your decisions wisely. Don’t rush into something that could have negative consequences in the future, no matter how tempting it may seem in the moment. 

Emotional wealth is also an important thing to consider when making a decision. Financial Moxie founder Kristen Hafner gives an example: “If I have a client who chooses to move out of state to be closer to family, but on paper it’s not the best situation for her during retirement, the emotional wealth of her being near family long-term actually outweighs the numbers I see on the page nine times out of ten. As that person ages, and they have their family close by, there’s other things down the road that will help them more than just the numbers I see on the page.” Making financial decisions can influence your emotional well-being, so it’s important to evaluate your emotional wealth alongside your finances. 

So, in a way, the golden rule of decision making when it comes to finances is to look at more than one factor. How will this decision affect me over time? What might the consequences be later in my life? Does this decision bring me momentary happiness? Or will it bring me happiness in the long run? Considering all these factors is an essential part of the decision-making process. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself the difficult questions, your future self will be grateful that you took time to make the most positive, beneficial choice.

The post The Golden Rule of Decision Making appeared first on Financial Moxie.

It may seem difficult to connect the dots between physical health and financial wealth, but the correlation is actually very simple. To start, there are certain aspects of each field that are related, most importantly, the self. You are the one who can change your health and wealth in a positive way, and you are also the one who will be affected by that change. In this case, being selfish is not only acceptable, but necessary. Commitment and accountability are two other big parts of health and wealth. It is essential to commit to your personal health and wealth to succeed in each area. These things are in your control only, so you must take accountability for your commitment. Health and wealth are both positive things (even though they might not always seem like it). Physical health is part of a positive lifestyle; if you feel good, you’ll do good. Having stable finances will also contribute to a positive life, reduce worry, and allow you to make time to do things you love with the people you love. 

Financial Moxie founder Kristen Hafner talks about balance and control in an interview with Purse Strings. She mentions that people often shy away from health and wealth because they’re “scary.” But these are parts of our lives that are completely in our control, so why do we want to avoid them so much? Trying to create a life balance can be intimidating and overwhelming; a lot of things are out of our control, like family and work. Food, fitness, and finance, however, are three aspects of life that can be controlled. By compartmentalizing these three things away from other aspects of your life, balance seems more and more achievable.  

The obstacles we face when encountering health and wealth can sometimes feel monumental. But, if you take a step back, they often overlap between the two categories. Fear, avoidance, impulse, and lack of confidence or knowledge are barriers standing in the way of a balance in health and wealth. Recognizing these obstacles is the first step in overcoming them; committing to yourself is the next step. 

To gain confidence and knowledge about health and wealth, seeking out advice from professionals is key. But there are some things you can do on your own as well. Taking accountability for your impulses and working to overcome them is a great first step. Working towards positive change is the goal for finding balance between health and wealth. Considering not only physical health and financial stability, but your personal happiness and goals, will lead to life balance and success. Join in on the conversation on our Instagram page!

The post Health, Wealth, and Finding Balance appeared first on Financial Moxie.

Kristen Hafner, founder of Financial Moxie, has a passion for helping others. Her mission is to help others balance their health, wealth, and self. She preaches to control what you can, which, in this world, is what you spend, eat, and how much you exercise. As a Certified Financial Planner, Hafner was already knowledgeable about finances and how to plan for the future. Through her experience working with women and couples, she realized that there was a correlation between health, wealth, and personal satisfaction. There seemed to be specific commonalities between health and wealth, such as self, resources, consistency, and accountability. So, Kristen proposed, why don’t we combine the approaches to successful health and successful wealth into one program that encourages success and confidence in both areas? And thus, Moxie Bootcamp was born. 

The Moxie Bootcamp program is based on an essential principle: the team. Kristen’s approach to a positive mindset shift in health and wealth is determined by the need for a strong, committed team. The 60- or 90-day program includes support from Certified Financial Planners, fitness trainers, and nutrition coaches, as well as an optional mental health support group run by two licensed therapists. The key, Kristen emphasizes, is not weight loss, but rather a mind shift, habit change, and commitment to long-term goals in fitness and finances. 

The first 60 days of the program focuses on creating a foundation, learning how to work with the professionals, and habit changing. It is, essentially, the “level one” program. The financial advisor will begin by helping the client organize and understand what they have and set some goals. The trainer and nutritionist will focus on education, basics, and building confidence. Later in the program, the financial planning will become more detailed and intensified. But Kristen emphasizes that she does not want this process to be overwhelming. Therefore, she has structured the program in a staggered way, so that the financial planning will occur at the front or back end of the program and the fitness and nutrition aspects will occur in the middle. 

Moxie Bootcamp is open to all types of clients, but the level-one program is especially helpful for those who are just getting started – whether that be financial, fitness, or health-related. The professionals running the program have been advised to present their information in an easy-to-digest way, perfect for someone who needs help changing their mindset, finances, and health. 

Follow-through is essential for the program’s success. Although it’s hard to overcome feelings of laziness, getting up and moving is so rewarding. It’s all about reaching for goals, gaining confidence, and getting rid of harmful habits. It takes courage to admit you need help, but Financial Moxie is here for you. Moxie Bootcamp is an exciting program to look into if you resonate with anything discussed in this article. Visit our Financial Moxie website to get more information about Moxie Bootcamp to build a positive mindset and balance your health, wealth, and self.

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The following types of wills exist:

• Holographic
• Nuncupative
• Joint
• Reciprocal

With a holographic will, the testator must write and sign the document by hand. Execution of a holographic will does not require the presence of any witnesses. The probate court sends “proof of holographic instrument” documentation to persons who can verify the decedent’s handwriting.

A nuncupative will is an oral will. It requires witnesses to be present during the decedent’s declaration and to sign an affidavit confirming the decedent’s last wishes.

A joint will is a single document executed by two or more persons to communicate one estate plan for all of the parties represented.

A reciprocal will normally consists of two individual documents appointing each testator as the other’s beneficiary. Professionals in the field do not recommend joint or reciprocal wills due to ambiguity concerns.

Legal Requirements of a Will

The law usually requires the following for a person to make a will:

• A person of sound mind who is 18 years or older
• Knowledge of asset ownership and distribution
• Recognition of relatives and/or friends by their names
• The date
• The document being written
• The testator’s signature
• A minimum of two witnesses to attest it
• A self-proving provision

*Please note that these requirements may differ depending on the state.

Will Revocation and Modification

A codicil is the legal document you use to modify a will. The law holds this document to the same standards as it does a will. For example, both the testator and the witnesses must sign the codicil. A codicil does not replace the original will, and one must always keep it in the same location as the original will. A misplaced or lost codicil will result in the distribution of assets per the original will’s provisions. Also, professionals in the field advise against handwritten changes on the original will since these can cause revocation of the will.

One revokes a will by destroying it, defacing it, or executing a new will. The new will must state that the testator has revoked all prior wills. Also, one should never revoke a will prior to executing a new will.

Disclaimers

A disclaimer is a designated beneficiary’s unqualified refusal to accept the transfer of an inheritance or a lifetime gift. A disclaimer must meet the following requirements, per the IRS code, to qualify:

• Must be an irrevocable and unqualified refusal
• Must be in writing and signed by the disclaimant
• Must be delivered to the transferor or legal representative no later than nine months after the later of the transfer date (date of death) or the date the disclaimant reaches 21 years of age
• Must be made prior to the disclaimant’s acceptance of the inheritance or lifetime gift
• Must transfer property to someone other than the disclaimant

Please note that state law disclaimer requirements may render federal law disclaimer requirements invalid or unqualified. Disclaimers exist to minimize estate, gift, and generation skipping tax liabilities.

Will Contest

Anyone can contest a will for any reason. Therefore, avoiding will contest proves quite difficult. People contest wills to destroy the validity of these documents.

The following reasons often lie at the root of will contest:

• Improper execution
• Testator’s incompetence
• The will being signed under duress
• Fraud
• Forgery
• A disinherited relative
• Family dispute

The best way to avoid will contest is to have an attorney draft and execute the will. An attorney will ensure proper execution, evaluate the testator’s competency, and prevent fraud.

What Is a Fiduciary?

A fiduciary is a person or institution appointed to act in the best interests of another person. The following types of fiduciaries exist:

• Trustee
• Executor/administrator
• Guardian

A trustee is appointed to act in the best interest of the trust beneficiaries. An executor/administrator is appointed to act in the best interest of the estate beneficiaries. A guardian is appointed to act in the best interest of his/her ward.

Duties of a Fiduciary

The fiduciary must do the following:

• Always commit to act in the beneficiary’s best interest
• Not delegate fiduciary responsibilities
• Provide full disclosure of all transactions to the beneficiary
• Preserve and protect investments
• Recommend suitable investments
• Make assets productive
• Avoid self-deal
• Provide an unbiased view toward income and remainder beneficiaries

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

A fiduciary that breaches duty may be held personally liable for his/her actions and any losses that the beneficiaries incur. Common breaches of duty include the following:

• Personal use of assets
• Self-dealing
• Failure to make assets productive
• Failure to invest assets
• Failure to disclose conflicts of interest between the fiduciary and beneficiary

References Used In This Article

• Bost, JOHN C. (2006) “Estate Planning and Taxation”. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
• Leimber, Stephan R. et al. “The Tools and Techniques of Estate Planning”. National Underwriter, Eleventh Edition

The post What is a Holographic Will and Why is it Important? appeared first on Financial Moxie.

I have found that for most women the fear of financial security for themselves and their children is so great, intensified by the recent economic downturn, they will often ask this question prior to proceeding with divorce. Asking the question is the easy part; however, without the proper resources and guidance, it can be a very difficult question to answer. The following steps should be completed in order to determine if you can afford to get divorced.

1. Consult with a fee- based financial planner who specializes in divorce planning.
2. Verify all debts by obtaining a credit report (from all three credit bureaus) on yourself and your spouse (must obtain his permission).
3. Identify all assets of the marriage by locating current bank, retirement, and brokerage statements and wage reports.
4. Locate all mortgage and real property tax documentation. Contact local real estate agent for a free home comparable report in order to determine current market value of real property.
5. Compare pre-divorce income to post- divorce income.
6. Determine and track household budget pre-divorce.
7. Define and track realistic budget post-divorce.
8. Discuss short- and long-term goals for post-divorce.
9. Pay down as much debt as possible prior to filing for divorce.
10. Seek employment and/ or investigate new career opportunities.
11. Calculate child support and alimony payments (if applicable).
12. Investigate the likelihood you will be able to purchase or lease a home post-divorce.
13. Observe a few family law hearings at local county courthouse.
14. Explore mediation options in order to avoid the high cost of family law litigation.
15. Consult with attorney to discuss divorce laws within your state of residence.

Ladies, “Experience the Power of Planning” by following the applicable steps above. Having a better understanding of your pre- and post-divorce financial situation will enable you to make better decisions during the divorce process. Remember, always strive to be proactive instead of reactive during your divorce! Allowing your emotions to get the best of you will only prolong the process and unnecessarily increase your legal fees. Please contact Kristen Hafner, CFP®, MBA via email Kristen@financialmoxie.com or phone at 805-217-3126 for further questions.

The post Can I Afford To Get Divorced? appeared first on Financial Moxie.

Intestate Succession

The term “intestate” describes a person who dies without a valid will. States use intestate succession statutes within the probate process to determine asset distribution of a person who dies intestate.

When evaluating a client’s existing plan, you should always verify the execution of all his/her estate planning documents in the state in which he/she resides. Clients often overlook the fact that they must update all of their estate planning documents to reflect the laws of their current state of residence when they move to a new state. This common mistake could result in your client dying intestate.

Problems with Intestate

The following problems may occur if your client dies intestate:

1. Distribution of assets to family members not intended as beneficiaries
2. Reduction of estate assets due to the cost of the probate process
3. Distribution delays due to the lengthy process of probate
4. Inability to locate beneficiaries
5. Force sale of assets
6. Family disputes

Outdated Estate Plan

The following circumstances may cause an update to an estate plan:

• Divorce or separation
• Death of an executor/trustee or beneficiary
• Change of resident state
• Remarriage
• Children from another relationship
• Changes in state laws
• Document errors and/or omissions
• Lost estate planning documents
• Adoption/birth
• Sale/purchase of property
• Business purchase/start-up/sale
• Partnership

When evaluating a client’s existing plan, you should always inquire about the circumstances above during the client interview or prior to the interview in the form of a questionnaire. Keep in mind that many of these circumstances are sensitive but essential for you to prepare a completed estate plan. Often, financial planners send clients annual estate planning review checklists to help identify possible estate plans in need of an update.

Improper Tax Planning

The primary goal of proper tax planning within an estate plan is to reduce potential tax liability without placing the client’s wishes, needs, and objectives at risk.

The following problems may occur from improper tax planning within an estate plan:

• Lack of liquidity
• Overuse of unlimited marital deduction
• Reduction of estate assets
• Failure to meet the client’s wishes, needs, and objectives

For example, if a client wishes to keep a specific real estate property within the family, you must identify in the estate plan an adequate source of cash to pay the required property taxes during and after the property’s distribution.

Improper Property Ownership

Improper property ownership commonly occurs with the implementation of life insurance policies. During the evaluation of the client’s current estate plan, you should also verify life insurance ownership and the beneficiary structure. If an insured still has ownership rights to the life insurance policy at his/her death, the taxable estate will include the policy’s benefits. Also, improper ownership of an asset transferred by operation of law will always supersede provisions in a valid will or trust. The bottom line is that you must review the proper ownership of an asset on a case-by-case basis to successfully distribute the asset to your client’s intended beneficiary.

Disability

Failure to adequately plan for disability, long-term illness, or job loss could significantly deplete an estate. To overcome this estate planning obstacle, you must properly educate your clients regarding their disability and long-term care insurance needs.

The current dilemma with long-term care (LTC) insurance planning is that clients who have a greater risk of depleting their estates due to an illness (those with a low-to-average net worth) cannot afford LTC premiums. In turn, clients who do not have a risk of depleting their estates due to illness (those who have a high net worth) can afford LTC premiums. Therefore, you absolutely must educate at-risk clients about the importance of proper disability and LTC insurance planning.

Inflation Risk

Given current economic conditions, failure to consider inflation risk will drastically reduce the possibility that your client will meet his/her estate planning objectives. On an annual basis, you should review the impact of inflation on a client’s estate plan.

Lack of Liquidity

The following problems may occur if an estate lacks cash availability:

• Force sale of assets
• Dramatic reduction of assets, which prevents beneficiaries from receiving their intended

Income

• Financial burden placed on family
• Foreclosure of property
• Failure of family business

Assessment of estate liquidity represents an essential part of estate planning. On an annual basis, you must review an estate’s debt/asset ratio, asset diversification, and projected estate tax liability. Proper tax, insurance, and business succession planning all represent ways to resolve lack of liquidity issues within an estate plan.

Improper Appointment of Executor/Trustee

Improper appointment of an executor/trustee may cause the following problems:

• Conflict of interest (especially if executor/trustee is also a beneficiary)
• Penalties for missed tax filings and debt payments
• Delays in estate administration and distribution
• Unnecessary family disputes
• Will contest

The person appointed as executor/trustee absolutely must understand and willingly accept the duties of a fiduciary.

Lost Documents

Missing and lost documents may cause the following problems:

• Inefficiencies during administration of estate
• Probate
• Increased administrative costs
• Unnecessary distribution delays
• Lack of clarity of the decedent’s goals
• Failure to identify assets

For example, a client executes and funds a trust for the benefit of his sister. However, after his death, his sister cannot locate the original trust documents. Since she cannot find the trust documents, his estate must go through probate and be distributed per intestate succession statues within his state of residence. If the client had properly communicated the location of the trust documents to his sister or financial planner, the distribution of his assets would occur as he intended per his trust without having to go through probate.

Dealing with Mortality

Clients often procrastinate or avoid creating an estate plan because they have great difficulty confronting their own mortality. Most clients view the decisions they make during their estate planning process as their final acts. As a financial planner, you must help your clients overcome this obstacle by discussing the importance of creating an estate plan and how doing so will benefit your client’s family. You will have an easier time discussing this matter with your client if you disburse information and tasks in segments over a suitable time period so that you do not overwhelm your client.

The post Ten Common Obstacles Of An Estate Plan appeared first on Financial Moxie.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to get to know you and am encouraged by your strength.

Robin Goings founder of Inpowher, a positive movement geared towards helping women and children who have been silence through Domestic Violence regain their power!

Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Robin Goings moved to Hollywood with big dreams of becoming a model/actress, only to find herself trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage. As the result of her tumultuous relationship to a famous comedian, she saw her aspirations as an actress begin to fade, as well as her A+ credit.

Financially, emotionally, and spiritually, she should have been knocked out and defeated. Instead, she remains determined.

Since the divorce, Robin has been featured on the cover of Heart & Soul magazine and is often sought after for appearances and interviews.

Her quest will include an inspirational anthology titled “Invisible Wife” and a congressional bill. Robin Goings is determined to make sure that her tribulations not be in vain.

To learn more about Inpowher please contact Robin Goings:

Blog http://www.inpowher.com/contact-us

Sign her petition at: www.ipetitions.com/petition/robingoings/

Also you can follow her on Twitter at: RobinGoings or find her on Facebook at: Robin Goings

Questions

1. Robin, please describe what happened to you financially once your ex-husband filed for divorce?
2. How do you believe the Judicial System failed you?
3. How much did the divorce cost you emotionally, spiritually, and financially?
4. What were the top 5 mistakes you made during your divorce? And if you had known what resources would have helped you avoid these mistakes?
5. What types of professionals or resources did you find most helpful during your divorce? Also which professionals or resources would you have liked to have access to during your divorce?
6. What advice would you give to women who are contemplating divorce?
7. How did you come up with the name Inpowher and who inspired you to start this movement?
8. How can Inpowher help women who have no voice remain determined to overcome adversity and rebuild?
9. Lastly, What would you do differently prior to getting married again?

Q: Please describe what happened to you financially once your ex-husband filed for divorce?

For the sake of this question, I MUST go backwards before I proceed to answer this question. Before my ex-husband filed for divorce he closed out all of our joint bank accounts, cancelled all of my credit cards and told our business manager Not to discuss any money matters with me. Therefore, when my ex-husband filed for divorce I was already at a financial disadvantage. Especially, since he didn’t want me to work and I was a stay-at-home mom. Once he filed for divorce I was already scrambling to pick up the pieces. I had to figure out a way to get into court to get some emergency orders put in place because whatever the court ordered was all that we had to survive.

Q: How do you believe the judicial system failed you?

The Judicial system did nothing for my children and me. My ex-husband makes well over a million dollars a year and was basically able to abandon his family. The legal system allowed this to happen because he was ordered to pay my attorney which he wasn’t doing. And even though it was ordered it was NEVER enforced. Therefore, there was no way that I could get a forensic accountant. He was able to do this because he gets paid most of the time in cash and wasn’t paying his taxes. Most of the time during our four year court appearances he was in contempt of court, behind on his court ordered child support and nothing ever happened. Everything was in my name. I lost the house which was part of his plan and everything else including my excellent credit score. House was foreclosed and I ended up filing bankruptcy. We almost ended up in a shelter because he filed a restraining order preventing me from taking our son out of state. The restraining order prevented me from taking my children to my parent’s house in Ohio where we had a place to live and a loving family. I ended up worse off had I Not even answered the petition at all. The Judicial system allowed him to walk away and make his family suffer. The legal system left us homeless and darn near penniless. Our bogus settlement was even based on what he claims he can afford instead of his income.

Q: How much did the divorce cost you emotionally, spiritually and financially?

My divorce cost me more than words can describe emotionally, spiritually and financially. I have been out of court for almost two years now and still recovering and healing. I talk about this in my soon to be released book “The Invisible Wife (Inpowher).” I wanted to throw the towel in and give up at times. I had dark thoughts of suicide because I’d become clinically depressed. Four years in court can take a toll on anyone. It was God who kept me through daily prayer and just putting all of my trust in him. Mentally and emotionally I was drained. I was broken spiritually and feeling financial whiplash which I’m still experiencing today. I feel like the legal system is designed to snatch any bit of hope from the person who is not financially equipped and further victimizes the victim. The legal system felt like it was all about money and power. The very same thing my ex-husband used and continues to use to try to control me financially.

Q: What were the top five mistakes you made during your divorce? And if you had known what resources would have helped you avoid these mistakes?

Does NOT getting married at all count? I made lots of mistakes because divorce was foreign to me prior to me ending up in the middle of a nasty divorce. I am the product of high school sweethearts who just celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on the 27th of June. I didn’t see men not taking care of their families growing up.

• Mistakes that I made…
• I hired the first attorney that I met because I was so desperate for help
• Agreed to refinance our house during the divorce
• Believed that my ex-husband was going to do right or eventually do right
• Trusted my lawyer
• Thought the legal system was going to at least be fair as it related to a mother and her children

Q: I would have gotten with a financial planner who could have suggested different things as far as finances before, during and after divorce. I would have interviewed at least five or more attorneys and requested to talk to former clients who may not have had a smooth divorce and how they helped them. Hiring a lawyer can be tricky because everyone says “they can” just as my lawyer did only for him to quit in the middle. I didn’t even know that a lawyer could quit on you. I would have demanded a forensic accountant which was of dire need in my case.

What types of professionals or resources did you find most helpful during your divorce? Also, which professionals or resources would you have liked to have access to during your divorce?

I didn’t find any of the professionals helpful during my divorce and there was most definitely a lack of resources because of the one sided financial strain on me. Plus, the fact that paralegals are pretty much nonexistent. I couldn’t get the resources that I needed. I would have liked to have access to a financial planner, forensic accountant, someone who really enforced the well being of my son, an attorney who actually fought for the well-being of us and a mandatory drug test. These resources alone would have caused me to have a different outcome. Instead my ex-husband was able to manipulate the system while violating the laws on the grounds of he is my son’s father. Meaning he did nothing he was suppose to do court order or not but because he’s my sons father he still had rights. Not to mention, drugs were an issue.

Q: What advice would you give women who are contemplating divorce?

You must always from day one have all of your paperwork in order. Hire a financial planner; interview at least 5 attorneys if not more. You need a team of individuals who truly care and it’s more about the heart and doing right then about the greed and the money. The financial planner can help you with the things that can be done before, during and after the divorce process. If you’re able to—use a mediator instead of an attorney which will save you a lot of money. The focus should always be on the well being of you and your children in the long run. Instead of the money and greed of the lawyers. I’m not saying that a great lawyer shouldn’t get paid but a great lawyer makes sure their clients are well taken care of especially the one with the children.

Q: How did you come up with Inpowher and who inspired you to start this movement?

Inpowher was birthed out of pain I endured from a turbulent marriage and a debilitating divorce from a system that weakens abandoned families. Inpowher is a voice for women who have been silenced through Domestic Violence. I want to make sure that every woman’s voice in Not only heard but more importantly, they have the tools, confidence and power to take back control of their lives. I not only heard the stories of hurt, pain & abuse but I’ve lived and felt it. I wanted to make a difference. The many hurting woman inspired me to Champion For Change. I won’t stop until I see my legislative bill passed which deals with better accounting as it relates to abandonment and child support, drastic changes are made as it relates to Domestic Violence & a legal system that works at helping families who are in dire need instead of further causing them to struggle unnecessarily.

The post An Interview With Robin Goings of Impowher appeared first on Financial Moxie.