Carlson Capital Management

Integrated Wealth Management

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Responding to the Financial Complexities of Divorce

David Sayers – Carlson Capital Management
David Sayers, CFP®, CDFA®, MBA

Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor
952.208.4663
Email David

  I have a deep interest in people and their stories, and find energy in helping clients align their financial strategies with their goals so they can live the life they want with confidence.  

Professional Biography
David Sayers is a Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor at Carlson Capital Management. In this role, David partners with clients and their families, providing the firm’s fully integrated wealth management experience, including investment management, retirement modeling, estate and educational planning, and all other aspects of general financial planning and client care. In this role, David also connects clients with the firm’s specialists for overall portfolio management as well as direct access to expertise in areas such as tax planning and insurance analysis.

David joins CCM with nearly 15 years of experience serving as a wealth manager for individuals and families in various roles in the Twin Cities. In this work, he provided clients with financial planning strategies to meet their personalized goals. He earned his Bachelor of Science in engineering and business management from the University of Minnesota. He returned to the U of M to earn his MBA in marketing and strategic management. He spent the “first act” of his career on a corporate path at both GE and 3M before making a purpose-driven pivot to financial planning. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation granted through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. In addition, he earned the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation through the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, helping him to provide specialized planning insight to clients impacted by divorce. David is energized by helping people learn and discover so that they can live the life they want with confidence. With a background in engineering and a deep interest in people and their stories, David has a unique ability to optimize the trade offs of a plan while considering the people impacted by it.

David lives in Woodbury, Minnesota, with his wife, Tera, and his three sons, Benjamin, Andrew, and Henry. He loves the arts, athletics, and the outdoors. He is proudly the least artistically-talented member of his family, so he enjoys watching his boys sing, dance, and play instruments. David is a theater and film buff, with a special love for musicals. In addition, he is a long-suffering Minnesota sports fan, still waiting to enjoy the glory days of his favorite teams. He loves camping, hiking, and family road trips. He is a fan of all things Disney, and is happy to share his best tips for navigating Disney Parks.

David Sayers
David Sayers, CFP®, CDFA®, MBA
Senior Integrated Wealth Advisor

“I’m sad and happy for you.”

Some might consider that an odd response to news of a divorce. I have found it to be the best way to acknowledge a very complex situation. I lead off my response with sad, as divorce is a uniquely painful experience. On top of the emotional and psychological challenges, there are many impactful financial matters to be worked through.

Division of Financial Labor

In many couples, there is one partner who gravitates toward doing more of the financial workload. It is common for us to hear comments like, “I just want to know we’re OK, but Partner would love to hear more about the details.” This arrangement can work beautifully … until Partner is no longer part of the team. Many divorcing clients will benefit from a competent guide they can trust to level the playing field of knowledge during the divorce and help them learn to operate financially day-to-day as a newly single person.

Fair Does Not Mean Equal

While we frequently hear about someone getting “half ” via a divorce, courts focus on reaching outcomes that are fair. As I’ve told my children many times, “fair does not mean equal.” Reaching fair financial outcomes in a divorce is not trivial. Does $1 of IRA equal $1 of Roth IRA? Would you rather have $1 of appreciated stock or $1 of cash? How do you properly account for differences in future earning potential, especially when the couple decided it was best for one partner to focus on family instead of professional advancement? The best answers to those questions and many others require an integrated understanding of a divorcee’s situation, goals, and values.

It Takes a Village

While you can obtain a “do it yourself ” divorce, many will benefit from professional help. A divorce attorney will often provide counsel and shepherd the process. Financial professionals with expertise in financial planning and modeling, taxes, investments, insurance, employee benefits, and estate planning can help guide a divorcee in shaping and evaluating proposals and counterproposals. Professionals with the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) certification have obtained additional specialized training to assist in working through divorce. In an already overwhelming situation, the ability to access more specialists under one roof can save precious time, reduce strain, and often improve the outcomes.

Who are You Calling Gray?

In recent decades, the term “gray divorce” has become familiar, as divorce rates involving people age 50 and older have rapidly increased. These cases often feature bigger balance sheets, higher incomes, more complex family situations, and fewer years to recover post-divorce. Since the financial stakes are heightened, people in this situation can benefit even more from seeking the right professional guidance.

So, Why the Happy?

My personal and professional experience is that as painful as divorce can be, it can often be the beginning of a happier future for both partners. As the great philosopher Rocky Balboa told us, “…it ain’t about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” Divorce is one of life’s hardest hits. I generally find folks are better off in their Plan B (or C) a few years later. Having the right guidance along the way can help accelerate that process.

Our team stands ready to help families navigate a range of life transitions. Talk with your CCM advisor for more details or to refer someone you care about for financial advice that considers their personal situation.


NOTE: The information provided in this article is intended for clients of Carlson Capital Management. We recommend that individuals consult with a professional adviser familiar with their particular situation for advice concerning specific investment, accounting, tax, and legal matters before taking any action.
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Published July 25, 2022 Topics: CCM Women's Initiative, Financial Planning, Financial Planning for Women

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