Money Matters Wealth Solutions
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
Donna Cates | she/her/hers
☎️: (205) 422-6681
Website: moneymatterswealth.com
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📍Virtual throughout US | Remote ✅ (via Zoom!)
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A little about Donna…
A Fresh Start begins with informed decisions, and financial clarity is at the heart of that. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®), I work closely with women before, during, and after divorce to ensure they fully understand the financial implications of every decision they face.
From the very first conversation about divorce through the final decree and beyond, I help clients take control of their financial future. Divorce is emotional and overwhelming, and many women are blindsided by just how complex the money side of it can be. I step in with both compassion and strategy to help them clarify what they own, what they owe, and what a fair settlement really looks like.
Whether it’s deciding what to do with the family home, valuing retirement accounts, negotiating spousal support, or understanding how child-related expenses will impact their budget, I ensure every detail is considered. I provide scenario analysis, help them weigh the trade-offs, and empower them to negotiate from a position of knowledge and confidence.
But the support doesn’t end when the divorce is finalized. I continue working with clients post-divorce to help them rebuild their financial life. We create a new plan that aligns with their goals, whether that’s buying a new home, restarting retirement savings, launching a business, or just finally feeling in control of their money.
Through comprehensive planning, investment guidance, and wealth protection strategies, I help women turn the page with intention. This work is about more than spreadsheets and settlements; it’s about transforming fear into confidence and uncertainty into clarity. I believe every woman deserves to not only survive divorce but to thrive in the life she builds afterward, with her finances supporting, not limiting, her future. After all, "A Man Is Not a Financial Plan."
Certifications
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®
Divorce Mediator
Series 63, 65, 66, & 7
Insurance Licenses for Multiple States
Testimonials
Donna helped me through one of the most painful, uncertain chapters of my life. Like so many women my age, I stayed in an emotionally abusive marriage far longer than I should have—because I was afraid. I wasn’t the breadwinner. I didn’t understand our finances. I didn’t know if I could support myself, let alone maintain a home for my children. The fear was paralyzing: What if I ended up broke? What if I made the wrong decisions? What if I failed my family?
Working with Donna changed everything. She didn’t just offer financial advice—she offered reassurance, education, and a safe space to ask the hard questions without judgment. Through her divorce financial planning process, she helped me understand exactly what assets we had, what I was entitled to, and how to advocate for myself at the negotiation table.
Donna walked me through every scenario so I could make informed, confident choices about my future. I didn’t just survive my divorce—I stepped into a new season with clarity and courage. Together, we built a financial plan that made sense for me, and for the life I wanted after divorce.
Thanks to Donna, I now have secure income, peace of mind, and a financial roadmap that supports my future—not one based on fear, but on freedom. I no longer wonder if I’ll be okay. I know I will.
When my marriage ended, I was overwhelmed and scared. My husband had always handled the money, and I had a small part-time job that barely covered groceries. I wasn’t investment savvy, and I had no idea what to ask for in the divorce. I knew I was entitled to half the marital assets, but I didn’t even know what we had let alone if ‘half’ would be enough to support me and our two teenagers.
Enter Donna and the EmpowerHer Divorce Blueprint. From our very first meeting, she made me feel seen and heard. She helped me understand every financial document, every asset, and every decision I had to make. Donna didn’t just guide me—she taught me. I walked into my negotiations not just hoping for a fair outcome but knowing what that looked like.
But what really meant the most? She didn’t walk away after the divorce. We kept working together to build my new financial foundation. She helped me set up a plan to cover my expenses, create income I could count on, and invest with confidence for the future. I went from feeling financially frozen to feeling financially secure.
Working with Donna changed everything. I made informed decisions, protected my future, and most importantly, I gained confidence. Today, I’m no longer afraid of money—I feel in control of it. And that’s something I never thought I’d say.
As a high-earning executive, I worked hard for every dollar in my retirement accounts, every share of stock, and every rental property I invested in. When divorce became inevitable, I was hit with a wave of fear and frustration. I was the primary breadwinner. The thought of giving up half of what I’d built and possibly paying alimony felt overwhelming and unfair.
That’s when I found Donna. She cut through the emotional fog and gave me the clarity I desperately needed. She helped me understand how equitable distribution works, and more importantly, helped me see the full financial picture, not just what I might lose, but what I still had the power to build.
With her guidance, I realized I was going to be just fine. Donna showed me how my earning potential, combined with smart financial planning, gave me long-term stability and options. She built a roadmap that protected what mattered most and gave me a clear path forward. In fact, thanks to Donna’s strategy, I now know I can possibly retire early something I never imagined was even on the table during the divorce.
Working with Donna gave me more than just financial peace of mind. It gave me back my confidence. I no longer feel like I’m starting over. I feel like I’m moving forward with intention. If you're a woman in the midst of divorce who’s worked hard for what you have, talk to Donna. She’ll show you that your future is still yours to shape.