I Just Got Divorced — Should I Get a New Financial Advisor?

Divorce is one of life’s most emotionally and financially taxing events. Aside from the emotional strain and lifestyle adjustments, the financial aftermath can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. If you're freshly divorced, you may find yourself reevaluating everything—your budget, your future goals, and the people advising you along the way. One question that naturally arises is: Should I get a new financial advisor?

Let’s break it down and explore when it makes sense to switch financial advisors post-divorce—and when it doesn’t.

Why Your Financial Landscape Changes After Divorce

Divorce can upend your financial life. Even if you walked away with a fair settlement, you’re likely transitioning from a shared financial system to flying solo.

Here are a few of the ways your financial world shifts:

• Income and expenses: You may now be managing your household on a single income, which may be more (or often less) than what you were used to.

• Asset division: Retirement accounts, real estate, investment portfolios, and other assets have been split.

• Tax situation: Filing status, deductions, and benefits like child credits change dramatically.

• Insurance: You may need to secure your own health, life, and long-term care insurance.

• Estate planning: Wills, beneficiaries, and powers of attorney likely need updating.

• Retirement planning: Timelines and contributions may need to adjust to reflect your new reality.

With so many moving pieces, your financial advisor becomes more important than ever—or potentially less relevant if they were more aligned with your ex’s needs and goals.

When You Might Want to Get a New Financial Advisor

Let’s say you’ve been working with a financial advisor during your marriage. You probably didn’t think twice about it—they helped “you and your spouse” as a unit. But now that you’re on your own, some key questions come into play. Here are situations where changing advisors makes sense:

1. Your Ex Was the Primary Contact

If your ex-spouse had the main relationship with the advisor—meaning they did all the talking, decision-making, and communication—it’s time to assess how involved you want to be now. If the advisor is more familiar with your ex’s priorities, there may be an unconscious bias, or you may simply feel like you’re stepping into someone else’s territory.

2. The Advisor Doesn’t Seem Neutral

It’s not uncommon for couples to feel like an advisor “took sides” during the divorce, even if unintentionally. If you felt sidelined, dismissed, or even judged during the split, you don’t have to stay in that dynamic. Trust and objectivity are non-negotiable in a financial advisor relationship.

3. You Need a Fresh Start

Post-divorce, you’re likely redefining your goals, lifestyle, and identity. Your financial strategy should reflect that. Maybe you want to move, go back to school, travel, or start a business. If your current advisor doesn’t seem aligned with your new vision—or doesn’t take the time to understand it—you deserve one who will.

4. Your Needs Are Now Different

Some advisors specialize in couples, estate planning, or retirement strategies. But maybe you now need guidance on budgeting, rebuilding credit, managing alimony or child support, or starting from scratch with investing. Look for someone who works with newly single individuals or has experience with post-divorce financial planning.

5. There’s a Conflict of Interest

If your ex is still using the same advisor, even if you’ve technically split your accounts, there can be lingering conflicts of interest. Confidentiality rules mean they shouldn’t share information, but human nature is tricky. It can get uncomfortable fast if one advisor is working with both of you—especially if you’re not on great terms.

When You Might Want to Keep Your Current Financial Advisor

Not every post-divorce situation calls for a new advisor. There are also good reasons to maintain continuity:

1. You Have a Strong, Personal Relationship

If the advisor worked closely with both of you but always treated you as an equal, and you feel comfortable with their style and communication, there may be no reason to jump ship. An experienced and ethical advisor will seamlessly transition to supporting you individually.

2. They Understand Your Financial History

The learning curve can be steep with a new advisor. If your current one already knows the ins and outs of your assets, long-term goals, and even your risk tolerance, they’re already ahead of the game. It might be worth continuing if they’re willing to adapt to your new reality.

3. They Offer the Right Services

If your advisor’s firm offers holistic financial planning—covering taxes, estate planning, retirement, and investments—they may be well-equipped to guide you through this next chapter, especially if they’ve helped clients through similar transitions.

4. They Respect Boundaries With Your Ex

In some cases, both ex-spouses may choose to continue using the same advisor if the advisor has a strong ethical framework and clear boundaries. Some firms even assign different advisors within the firm to each ex, avoiding overlap while keeping some continuity.

What to Look for in a New Financial Advisor

If you decide that a fresh start is the right move, here’s how to choose the right professional for this new chapter:

1. Look for Divorce-Savvy Professionals

Seek advisors who specialize in working with newly divorced individuals. Some even have the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) credential, showing they’re trained in the unique financial challenges of divorce.

2. Prioritize Fiduciary Responsibility

A fiduciary is legally obligated to act in your best interest. Not all financial advisors are fiduciaries, so ask directly. You want someone whose advice isn’t driven by commissions or sales goals.

3. Seek Clear Communication

Divorce can leave you feeling emotionally raw and financially overwhelmed. You need an advisor who can explain things in simple terms, walk you through complex choices, and make you feel empowered, not judged.

4. Check Compatibility

Your advisor should “get” you—not just your numbers, but your values, lifestyle, and future dreams. Trust your gut. If you don’t feel heard or respected during the initial consultation, move on.

5. Review Their Services

Make sure their offerings align with what you need now—whether that’s debt management, budgeting, investment advice, estate planning, or goal setting. Some offer hourly consultations, while others work on an ongoing basis.

Red Flags to Watch For

Choosing the wrong advisor post-divorce can be costly—not just financially, but emotionally. Be wary of:

• Overly aggressive sales pitches

• Lack of transparency about fees

• Overpromising on investment returns

• Talking down to you or dismissing your questions

• Pushing you to keep joint accounts or overlap with your ex

Your advisor should be a calm, knowledgeable, and supportive partner—not a stressor.

Questions to Ask a Potential New Advisor

Here are a few good questions to ask during a consultation:

• Do you have experience working with recently divorced clients?

• Are you a fiduciary?

• How are you compensated—fee-only, commission-based, or a combination?

• Can you help me create a new financial plan from scratch?

• What is your approach to goal setting and risk management?

• Will you help with things like insurance, taxes, and estate planning?

• How often do you meet with clients?

• How do you handle clients who share an advisor with their ex?

• Can you explain things in plain language?

• Do you work with other professionals, like divorce attorneys or therapists?

Emotional Considerations Matter Too

Money is never just about numbers. It’s about security, freedom, and the ability to create a new life. After divorce, your financial advisor becomes part of your support system. The right one can help you:

• Feel in control again

• Reduce anxiety about your future

• Make empowered decisions

• Build toward a new set of goals

So, yes, it’s about spreadsheets—but it’s also about emotional safety, trust, and connection.

Final Thoughts

There’s no universal answer to the question, “Should I get a new financial advisor after my divorce?” It depends on your personal experience, comfort level, and future needs.

What matters most is that you work with someone who sees you—not just a client with numbers, but a whole person starting a new chapter. Whether you stick with your current advisor or find someone new, take your time, ask questions, and trust your instincts. Your financial future deserves thoughtful, informed guidance—and so do you.