What is a Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) - Certified Divorce Specialist

WHAT IS A CERTIFIED DIVORCE SPECIALIST (CDS)

A CDS is one who has completed the Certified Divorce Specialists (CDS) Program – a comprehensive training for professionals in various industries who wish to provide better services to their divorcing clients.

The CDS curriculum consists of a specialized communication skills training with a focus on integrating those skills in a client-session environment. It also highlights specific legal, financial, mental health, and real estate information that are integral to the divorce process giving the professional a holistic understanding of their clients’ experience.

What does this mean for Divorcing Clients?

It means that the CDS Designee has gone above and beyond to make sure they are equipped with unique skills and divorce-specific information to manage a better experience for all parties involved.

The CDS Program focuses on...

Communication

Essential communication skills professionals need to understand and work with divorcing clients to build and maintain a productive client relationship.

Language & Culture

How to understand the unique language and culture of the divorce process and the specific needs and wants divorcing clients may have. From terminology to traditions, the CDS® Program covers a wide range of important topics all divorce professionals should know.

Systems

The holistic fundamental elements of the divorce process through its various stages, including the instrumental professionals and industries involved. CDS Designees know whom, how and when to recommend others to help support their divorcing clients.

Certified Divorce Specialists (CDS) know that their divorcing clients need special care.

When a couple decides to divorce, they begin a long drawn out journey to separate their lives and begin new ones on their own. Aside from the legal steps necessary to end the marriage, the process involves several changes in various other areas including finance, real estate and mental health. Although the professional might have knowledge in one or more of the areas listed above, if they are providing a service to a divorcing individual, couple, or family, it is imperative for them to be familiarized holistically on ALL the parts that are involved and that the client will need help with. There are many areas that require either collaboration or a basic understanding in order to properly help divorcing clients make the right decisions. One simple choice or step can affect the entire process either negatively or positively.

CDS Designees learn about:

By Industry:

The Various Legal Professionals Who Might Be Involved
Different Types of Divorces
Divorce Process Options
Important Factors in a Divorce Settlement
Samples of Divorce Documents including Parenting Plan
The Importance of Staying Up-to-Date with the Latest Laws (Both Federal and Local)

The Various Financial Professionals Who Might Be Involved
What is needed for the Financial Affidavit
Important Financial Considerations Post Settlement
Tax Implications on the process
Changes caused by the National Alimony Tax Reform
Factors involved in the divison of Property and Assets

The Various Residential Professionals Who Might Be Involved
How Does Divorce Affect An Individual’s Ability to Buy or Sell a Home?
How Divorce Affects A Client’s Credit and Their Ability to Qualify for a Mortgage/Loan
How the Client’s Living Situation Affects the Process
Residential Options When Going Through Divorce
How the Selling of a Home Affects the Child Going Through Divorce

Why should divorcing clients work with a
Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS)?

DIVORCE EDUCATION

GREATER RESOURCES

BETTER PREPARED

Professionals who complete the Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) Program:

Have a holistic understanding of important legal, financial, mental health and residential implications on the divorce process.
Know the various stages their clients will be experiencing based on the type of divorce process they have chosen such as mediation, collaborative or litigation.
Are aware of the many legal, financial, mental health and residential professionals that are an important part of the process and when they might be needed for their divorcing clients.
Have access to fellow CDS Alumni from across the country that can be valuable resources for divorcing clients.
Have learned unique tools to help communicate more effectively with their divorcing clients and provide a better experience.
Understand the implications divorce has on children and are committed to consider their best interest throughout the process.
Recognize the emotional distress divorce causes and believe in supporting clients with empathy and individualized attention.

What CDS™ Aligned Businesses are Saying...

"One of our CDS™ mediators was able to help our client avoid making a serious mistake that would have cost them thousands of dollars. She would not have been able to detect this potential disaster if it weren't for the Certified Divorce Specialist Training! I highly recommend this training for ALL businesses or practices who work directly with divorcing clients."

Don Shapira

Fresh Start Mediation

"I see a huge difference in our client experience. Since we became a CDS Aligned Business, we have had an increase in word of mouth referrals because our CDS staff knows to provide that extra special care "

Lisa Zonder

Attorney/Owner

"Having all of my staff gone through the Certified Divorce Specialist Program has improved my practice in various ways. In addition to being more effective when communicating with our divorcing clients, they are also much more effiicient with their time!

Attorney/Owner

If you are contemplating, or in the midst of a divorce, make sure you work with professionals who:

Are equipped with valuable communication skills
Are aware of all the players involved in the process and when they might be needed a resource
Understand the legal, financial, mental health and residential implications on the process
Are consistently connecting and learning from other divorce professionals to stay up-to-date
Will provide the special care that you and your family deserve

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