Diane C Pappas, CDFA®, CQS™

Certified Divorce Financial Analyst & trained Mediator educating and empowering my clients so they can make informed decisions.
Practice Details
Recipient of the IDFA 2023 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for my work as a CDFA - Representing the very best of CDFA® professionals (1 of 2 recipients honored in the country) . Using my expertise as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, a Certified QDRO Specialist™ and a trained Mediator, I help guide couples through not only all the financial and tax issues, but also through the many non-financial issues of divorce. My data-gathering process and the development of easy-to-read, comprehensive and sophisticated financial reports, helps to ‘level the playing field’ and erases any imbalance of financial knowledge. When the parties can see first-hand the impacts of several different settlement proposals and are allowed to explore all their options, the path towards resolution becomes clearer. Cash flow issues and support concerns, options for the marital home, dividing cash, investments and retirement assets like a private, state, federal or military pension and unraveling complex assets or income structures, are at the forefront of my practice as a mediator and divorce financial analyst.
All this allows you to maintain control over the process and your future. Research shows that when parties work together to come up with a fair, workable agreement, they are more likely to adhere to it after the divorce.
When both you and your spouse are informed and understand the financial and tax issues at hand, you can feel confident that you are making the right decisions for you and your family. Keeping the process amicable will save time and money, but more importantly, it will preserve your dignity and your ability to co-parent effectively post-divorce. There is a good life after divorce, you just have to get there knowing that you are going to be okay, both financially and emotionally.
Having gone through my own divorce over 13 years ago, I am empathetic to your situation and I know what will work after divorce and what will not. It is the sole reason I got into my chosen field – to help educate and empower people through the divorce process. Call me today for a free initial consultation to learn how I can help you.
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Degrees and Experience
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) - Institute For Divorce Financial Analysts - certified 2012
40-hour Mediation Training - Divorce Mediation Training Associates (John Fiske, Diane Newman) Completed 2012
40-hour - Conflict Resolution Training, Inc. - Divorce Mediation Certificate Program - Completed 2022
Collaboratively Trained Financial Neutral - MA Collaborative Law Counsel - 2013
Registered Investment Advisor - Series 65 - CRD # 175340 - 2013
Certified QDRO Specialist - AACQP - 2021
Bachelor of Arts - Dickinson College - 1985
Board of Advisors - IDFA - 2013 - 2016
Past President of the Divorce Center, Boston, MA - 2016-2018
Board of Directors - The Divorce Center - 2014 - 2016
Chair - IDFA DEI Task Force - currently
Chair - Northern MA Collaborative Practice Group - 2018 - 2021
Professional Memberships
Institute For Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA)
Massachusetts Collaborative Law Counsel (MCLC)
American Association of Certified QDRO Specialists (AACQP)
ProVisors National Networking Organization
Regional Information
North Shore, Merrimack Valley, MetroWest, South Shore, Cape and the Islands
Fee Information
Please call for information on my fee structure and contract.