Lori Frymark, Smith Barney Pasadena Financial Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™

Divorce is never easy, but financially, these days it's a double-whammy on top of the current slump in housing values. Simply put, many couples can't afford to divorce at a time like this.   Some may go on living together out of financial necessity.

"One client I've been advising, has been working with me for two years and only now is she ready to go through with her divorce," says Lori Frymark, a Smith Barney Pasadena Financial Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™.  "Marriage is about love, and divorce is about money."

Frymark points out that during the traumatic emotional roller coaster of divorce, people often make financial mistakes that they must live with for years to come. Add to this the uncertainties of today's unsettled real estate and financial markets and it becomes clear why so many attorneys' feel a financial advisor, especially one who specializes in divorce, can be helpful.

"I work with a lot women in transition, due to divorce, or widowhood," Frymark says. Her practice has been built almost entirely by referral, coming mostly from family law attorneys. "For whatever reason, many women did not have the primary relationship with their financial advisor before they are faced with an important life event like divorce or widowhood”.

Those women often tell Frymark they aren't comfortable with the advisors they inherit.
"Typically I hear: 'I don't really trust the guy. I'm sure he was doing the right thing, but I can't always get satisfactory, clear answers.'," Frymark says. "That's where I can help."

Frymark says, with her client’s authorization she will interact with a client's former advisors to understand her client's situation – and in the process, takes away that awkward burden. She can work with family law attorneys to look at the financial implications of legal strategies – considering long-run issues such as "in 20 years, what's this going to look like?".

Stephanie Loiacono, CFA , writing in Forbes' Investopedia.com, says that Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA™)  are professionals experienced with :

    ● Tax consequences of divorce agreements
    ● The process of dividing and valuing property fairly
    ● Determining how much alimony and/or child support is appropriate and for how long
    ● Modeling the future values of retirement and pension funds

Loiacono argues that " the greatest value a CDFA™ provides is an educated outlook toward the future. What seems equitable today may not look so fair when projected into the future, especially after factoring in considerations like inflation, cost of living adjustments, changes in custody agreements and other issues."  Frymark agrees with her.

Assuming your needs are appropriate to her practice, Frymark says "I will work with your attorney and C.P.A. as a team to help you get through this process."

Frymark's perspective on finance, family and career is that of a mother of two and of a professional woman with a successful business career.

"I feel like I've been through it all, at this stage of my life," she laughs. "I've divorced. I've worked in the corporate world. I spent 8 years at Baxter, then went to Amgen for almost 10 years, and then I started a company with two physician partners. I have two children, a college student and a junior in high school."

Frymark seems to have never lost the quality of connecting with people and caring about them which she acquired in her first professional role as a registered nurse years ago.  "I enjoy working with women, and really care about them as they address the unique financial challenges in their lifetimes," she says.

Perhaps that attribute of caring is no less important than her financial and professional experience.

For more information, contact Lori Frymark, Financial Advisor:
SmithBarney
301 N. Lake Avenue
Penthouse
Pasadena, CA 91101
626.304.2441
toll free: 800.362.6992
E-Mail Address: lori.d.frymark@smithbarney.com
www.fa.smithbarney.com/lfrymark