#203. Divorce & Your Finances: The 5 Experts Every Woman Needs Before Signing with MaKaela Carter

Knowledge is power, and when it comes to divorce, it can also protect your future. Desiree Stanley sits down with MaKaela Carter, founder of Her Financial Restart and creator of The Divorce Team Method, who shares the hard-won wisdom she gained after a 28-year marriage ended and she found herself signing away her home and retirement in a three-hour arbitration, without truly understanding what she was agreeing to. MaKaela turned that experience into a mission: helping other women walk in prepared, supported, and clear about what they need. At the heart of the episode is MaKaela's Divorce Team Method, built around five professionals who each fill a critical gap: a divorce attorney to protect your legal rights, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst to model your real financial future, a tax professional to reveal the after-tax value of any settlement, a real estate expert to value your home and its future equity, and a therapist to support you through the emotional rollercoaster so you're not making decisions from a place of fear or grief. Not everyone needs all five, but knowing they exist changes everything. MaKaela also shares eye-opening realities many women never see coming, like the fact that a woman's standard of living can drop by as much as 45% after a "gray divorce," roughly double the impact on men. She offers one piece of advice she wishes she'd had: you are allowed to slow down. You do not have to sign at the table. You can take a settlement number back to your financial professional, ask "will this actually work for me?", and return only when you're truly ready. She even suggests that starting with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, before an attorney, can be a powerful first step. Perhaps the most moving thread of the conversation is MaKaela's reminder to give yourself grace. So many women carry shame for not knowing the right questions to ask, but the truth is you simply cannot know what you have never been taught. Whether you're facing divorce yourself or simply want to feel more empowered around your own finances, this conversation offers both practical tools and a deep sense of reassurance that you don't have to navigate it alone. Bio: MaKaela Carter is the founder of Her Financial Restart™ and creator of The Divorce Team Method™. After rebuilding her own life following a 28-year marriage and divorce, she became passionate about helping others avoid the mistakes she made and understand the importance of having the right team before signing life-changing divorce agreements. With a background in talent leadership and 25+ years of experience building teams and advising professionals, MaKaela brings a unique perspective on the power of having the right experts in your corner. She combines personal experience with practical tools to help women approach divorce with preparation, confidence, and a plan for their future. Connect with MaKaela: Email: [email protected] Website | Instagram | Substack | Linktree Books mentioned: Money & Divorce: The Essential Roadmap to Mastering Financial Decisions by Lili Vasileff – Bookshop Divorce & Money: Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce by Violet Woodhouse and Lina Guillen – Amazon Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life by Abigail Trafford – Bookshop ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a friend. The more we educate, inspire, and empower each other, the further this conversation goes. Questions or just want to say hi? Find me at PocketsofKnowledge.com or on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening! This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services mentioned. Nothing here is medical advice—I'm not a doctor. Please consult a qualified health professional for any medical concerns.