ADFP Conference - Expecting Record Attendance

The Association of Divorce Financial Planners is  expecting the largest attendance level ever at our upcoming tenth Annual Conference, being held September 21-22, 2012, at the exquisite Doral Arrowwood Resort in Rye Brook, New York.  The program will feature many of the nation’s top divorce financial planning practitioners, as well as four fellows of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), presenting more than 20 course offerings to help attendees exponentially increase the value they bring to millions affected by divorce.

Industry thought leaders will present cutting-edge material in a relaxed yet vibrant setting ideal for networking with the best in our business.  This combination of timely, relevant content with high-level peer interaction makes this an unparalleled event.

Internationally recognized therapist and mediator Elana Katz, LCSW, will share her extensive experience with divorce in a keynote address on Why can't they just be reasonable? When emotions and numbers collide, and what you can do to help, and will offer practical and time-honored suggestions for conflict resolution. Ms. Katz, Senior Faculty at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, will also be presented with ADFP’s 2012 Pioneering Award for her commitment to furthering the collaborative divorce profession.

The list of esteemed speakers at the conference also includes four AAML fellows.  Lee Rosenberg, Esq., partner with Saltzman, Chetkof & Rosenberg, will provide in-depth perspectives on new waves of legislation related to Same Sex Marriage and Divorce, including addressing key issues of state-specific recognition and portability as well as conflict with federal law.  Nancy Kellman, Esq., one of the premier U.S. lawyers devoted exclusively to matrimonial and family law, will offer a focus presentation on Trends in Alimony, sharing decades of expertise on approaches to calculating alimony, historical precedent versus current trends and more.  Renowned family law and divorce speaker Frederic Siegel, Esq. will prepare conference attendees for deposition and trial testimony in The Role of the Expert in a Divorce Case/Trial Tips for the Non-Lawyer, and Amanda Trigg, Esq., Partner with Lesnevich & Marzano-Lesnevich, will provide an elevated workshop on the challenges of working with Bankruptcy and Divorce.

You will also hear from the Honorable Elaine Gordon, Esq. on How to Establish Yourself as a Go-To Resource for Family Lawyers —in which participants will learn how to best position themselves as a go-to expert for divorce litigators as well as the court. Other topics include advanced case studies in divorce taxation, presenting analytical findings to clients and more.  Our pre-conference ADPF University on September 20 features additional courses on tax returns, building and growing a divorce financial planning practice, software tools, and the “gray divorce,” among others.

The time is now to register for this unprecedented event.  Both ADFP members and non-members are encouraged to attend, and discounted rates are available for members.  For a complete agenda and registration information, visit www.divorceandfinance.org or call 888-838-7773.

Momentum is building for this exceptional event…and this year promises the greatest level of peer access in the history of the conference.  We’ll see you soon in New York!

-- ADFP president Lili Vasileff

10th ADFP Conference - September 21st - Lifestyle Valuation

Lifestyle Valuation Analysis and College Planning at the 10^th Annual ADFP Conference

This year’s ADFP Conference will absolutely deliver on its mission to help you ‘Unlock the Potential’ of your individual practice.  We are offering unrivaled examination of critical components in divorce financial planning in a format that both seasoned and new practitioners can use to catapult the value proposition you bring to millions affected by divorce.  You’ll benefit from focus workshops on Lifestyle Analysis and Valuation, College Planning for Divorce, and other critical and often overlooked elements of divorce financial planning.

On Friday, September 21, Joan Lipton, CPA/ABV, CFF, PhD and Jean Han, CPA/ABV, CFF, JD, from top U.S. accounting firm ParenteBeard, will coach us on performing Lifestyle Analysis and Valuation in the context of a divorce proceeding.  Both experts in handling the most complex types of valuation engagements, they have performed extensive valuation consulting services, forensic accounting and litigation support in connection with matrimonial matters, arbitration and mediation.  This workshop will offer key valuation analysis tools as well as discuss factors affecting relevant time periods and adjustments.  You’ll learn from several hybrid cases affected by complicated issues such as largely fluctuating income, irregular lifestyle expenses and major expenditures, report preparation and preparing for cross-examination.

We’re also featuring a presentation on College Planning and Divorce by leading divorce financial planners Amy Whitlatch, CFP, CDFA and Kevin Worthley, CFP, CDFA on Saturday, September 22.  Ms. Whitlatch and Mr. Worthley will provide insight on the numerous ways that divorce complicates college planning and how it affects financing and eligibility for financial aid.  They will share financial aid calculations and discuss how aid is awarded, how this changes in a divorce situation, and offer tips to increase aid eligibility or avoid mistakes that reduce aid.  Our esteemed speakers will offer tax planning assistance as it relates to college financing and will help you incorporate college planning into the larger financial picture to meet your clients’ goals.

Other focus presentations will include advanced case studies in divorce taxation, presenting analytical findings to clients, complications of same sex divorce, the role of the financial expert in divorce cases, trends in alimony and more.  Our pre-conference ADPF University on September 20 features additional course offerings on tax returns, bankruptcy, building and growing a divorce financial planning practice, estate planning and software tools.

There are only three weeks left to register for this extraordinary educational event!  Both ADFP members and non-members are encouraged to attend, and discounted rates are available for members.  For a complete agenda or to register, go to www.divorceandfinance.org or call the ADFP office at 888-838-7773.

This conference promises to be our most successful yet.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

-- ADFP president Lili Vasileff