In this episode of A Year and a Day, Jaime Davis talks with Donna Jean Kendrick, a certified financial planner, to unpack the financial side of divorce that the legal side can overshadow. Donna, author of The Divorce Money Map, walks listeners through building a clear picture of assets, debts, and expenses before negotiations even begin. She explains why financial preparedness isn't about being a numbers person; it's about knowing where to look and who to ask.

In this episode, Jaime and Donna dig into some of the thorniest financial decisions divorcing couples face:

• How to map out what you own, what you owe, and what you need to ask for during discovery
• The difference between basic living expenses and lifestyle expenses, and why it matters for negotiations
• What to weigh before deciding to keep or sell the family home, including equity, maintenance costs, and capital gains exposure
• Why alimony and child support aren't as guaranteed as people assume, and how to protect against the gaps
• How to rebuild a sustainable financial life after the divorce is final
• Why assembling a trusted team of professionals is essential

Donna draws on her own experience as a widow who discovered just how costly it can be to not ask enough questions about a spouse's investments, offering a candid look at why financial literacy matters. Practical, empathetic, and refreshingly jargon-free, this episode is essential listening for anyone trying to protect their financial future during, and after, divorce.