The #1 Divorce Mistake Women Make (and How to Avoid It) with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Donna Cates
When you’re facing divorce, the numbers can feel scarier than the heartbreak. In this powerful episode of Divorce Happens, host Olivia Howell sits down with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and financial advisor Donna S. Cates, a woman on a mission to make sure no one signs on the dotted line without truly understanding what they’re agreeing to. With decades of experience helping women in transition, Donna blends practical financial insight with deep compassion—because she knows firsthand that financial fear can keep women stuck in unhappy marriages. Together, they explore how money myths, misplaced trust, and emotional overwhelm shape so many divorce stories—and how knowledge can become your most empowering form of self-care.
Donna shares her signature framework for preparing financially before divorce, including the comprehensive checklist she gives her clients to uncover what they know, what they don’t, and what they need to find out. Through honest examples from her practice, she explains why hiring a CDFA before an attorney can actually save thousands of dollars—and how even in moments of chaos, small steps toward financial clarity can help women feel grounded again. The conversation moves beyond spreadsheets and settlement numbers into emotional healing, with Donna reminding listeners that understanding your finances isn’t about money—it’s about reclaiming your agency, your voice, and your future.
Listeners will walk away with a renewed sense of possibility and tangible next steps: how to begin gathering documents, when to call in experts, and how to build confidence in conversations about money. As Donna says, “You aren’t your marriage, your mistakes, or your money story—you’re the author of your next chapter.” Whether you’re considering divorce or already rebuilding, this episode offers the clarity, compassion, and courage you need to start fresh.
Learn more about Donna Cates, CDFA here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/money-matters-wealth-solutions