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Divorce can leave you holding a stack of statements and a knot in your stomach, wondering what you actually own, what it means, and whether retirement is still possible. We sit down with Jesse Hurst, a CPA and Chartered Financial Analyst, to talk through the real-world money decisions that hit right after a divorce and how to replace fear with a plan you can live with. Jesse’s twist is simple and surprisingly effective: use pop culture, music, and familiar stories to make complicated financial concepts stick, so you’re not just being “told” what to do, you understand it.

We dig into why people often feel frozen after a major loss, and how to restart with small steps: take an inventory, clarify what matters most to you, and map out the levers that actually drive outcomes. That includes cash flow planning after spousal support ends, deciding when to claim Social Security, and turning a collection of accounts like a 401(k), IRA, brokerage account, CDs, and home equity into a coordinated retirement strategy with an age-appropriate risk profile.

We also get concrete about taxes and planning traps. Jesse explains why divorce can come with cost basis headaches that don’t exist after a spouse’s death, and why filing status changes can feel like a penalty when someone becomes a widow or widower. If real estate is part of the picture, we talk about rental property cash flow, concentration risk, and when selling a non-producing property can improve liquidity and diversification.

If you’re rebuilding after divorce and want a calmer, clearer way to think about retirement planning and financial independence, hit play. Subscribe to Modern Family Matters, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find real guidance.

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

To learn more about Jesse and how he can help you, you can visit his website at: https://www.impelwealth.com/

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Divorce can feel like stepping into a fog where every rumor sounds like fact: you will lose the house, you will be broke, the case will drag on for years, and the court will air every private detail. Steve Altishin sits down with Founding Attorney Lewis Landerholm to name the concerns people bring to an initial divorce consultation and to explain what’s real, what’s misunderstood, and what you can actually control.

We start with the fear that hits first for most families: financial security. We talk about the pressure of going from two incomes to one, funding two households, and protecting the biggest assets for many couples the family home and retirement accounts. We also dig into why negotiated settlements and mediation can create options beyond the rigid “split everything and sell the house” storyline, especially for Oregon and Washington family law cases where practical compromise can reduce disruption.

Then we get concrete about the divorce process, including timelines, legal fees, and why trial is usually the most expensive route. We address discovery and the “dirty laundry” anxiety, plus how transparency can prevent hidden asset fights that explode costs. Finally, we cover kids: whether to move out, why a temporary parenting plan matters, and how child support differs from the more subjective spousal support analysis. If you’re wrestling with the question of “should I get divorced,” we also explain where legal advice ends and where therapists and other professionals can help most.

Subscribe, share this with someone who needs clarity, and leave a review so more people can find practical guidance when it matters most. What question about divorce do you want us to answer next?

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.

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Retirement planning can feel like a wall of jargon and spreadsheets, so we brought in someone who makes the numbers feel human. CPA and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Jesse Hurst joins us to break down how to start retirement financial planning at any age and why the first step is not picking investments. It is getting honest about where you are today, then turning “someday I want to retire” into real retirement goals you can measure.

We get practical about the questions that trip people up: how much should you put into a 401(k), why an employer match matters, and why starting at 22 versus waiting until 32 can completely change the outcome even if you save the same way. Jesse shares a simple strategy for increasing contributions over time so you still feel your raises, while your retirement savings rate quietly grows. We also talk about the gap in financial literacy for younger adults, and why many traditional wealth management firms ignore people who are still building, even when they have strong income and big decisions like buying a first home, choosing benefits, setting up insurance, or handling 401(k) rollovers after job changes.

Then we move into the part nobody warns you about: the emotional switch from saving to spending. Many retirees have done everything “right” and still feel like they are not allowed to use their money. Jesse explains how a retirement income plan can create permission to spend, and how to prepare for market volatility with a liquidity strategy that helps you avoid selling at the worst possible time. If scary headlines make you want to change your plan, this conversation will help you trade anxiety for a process.

If you find this helpful, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a clearer retirement plan, and leave us a review so more families can find the show.

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, please call our office at (503) 227-0200, or visit our website at https://www.pacificcascadelegal.com.

To learn more about Jesse and how he can help you, you can visit his website at: https://www.impelwealth.com/

Disclaimer: Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal advice nor does it constitute a client-attorney relationship, therefore you should not interpret the contents as such.