My Clients Are Divorcing. Should I Still Work With Them? The Answer Is: It Depends.
On October 15, 2025, financial planning professionals gathered at the Orinda Country Club for an insightful and highly relevant presentation titled “My Clients Are Divorcing. Should I Still Work With Them? The Answer Is: It Depends.”Hosted by the Financial Planning Association of the East Bay, the event featured David M. Lederman, CFLS, and Mary Ballin, CFP®, CDFA®, who explored the complexities of supporting clients through one of life’s most emotionally and financially challenging transitions.
Understanding the Planner’s Role During Divorce
The session opened with David M. Lederman, a Certified Family Law Specialist and Past Chair of the State Bar Family Law Section, offering legal context around what advisors can and cannot do when clients decide to divorce. He provided valuable guidance on fiduciary duty, confidentiality, and the ethical boundaries financial professionals must navigate when working with both spouses or one party during a divorce.
Mary Ballin, Senior Wealth Advisor at Perigon Wealth Management, followed by addressing the human side of the equation. Drawing from her extensive experience in divorce financial planning, she discussed how empathy, communication, and neutrality are key to maintaining professionalism while helping clients make informed, emotion-free decisions.
Together, David and Mary bridged the gap between law and finance, helping attendees understand not only the legal guardrails but also the emotional intelligence required to serve clients effectively during this sensitive time.
Photos Courtesy of Jodi Foucher, find her on Instagram, Linkedin or online www.jodiofucherphotography.com.
Key Takeaways from the Event
1. Know Your Boundaries:
Advisors learned how to clearly define their professional role during a divorce, reducing the risk of conflicts of interest and potential liability.
2. Serve Without Siding:
The speakers emphasized strategies for staying neutral and providing balanced support, ensuring clients feel heard while keeping the process ethical and compliant.
3. Communicate with Compassion:
Attendees gained practical advice on handling difficult conversations and managing heightened emotions while guiding clients toward sound financial decisions.
4. Protect Your Practice:
Both experts reinforced the importance of documentation, transparency, and collaboration with legal professionals to safeguard advisors and clients alike.
Interactive Discussion and Peer Learning
The event concluded with a dynamic Q&A session where attendees shared experiences and asked nuanced questions about real-world scenarios. The conversation highlighted the importance of teamwork between legal and financial professionals in helping clients rebuild their financial lives post-divorce.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
FPA of the East Bay extends sincere appreciation to our event sponsors for making this session possible:
Event Sponsor
Shawn Eubanks, Osterweis Capital Management
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 osterweis.com
Bar Sponsors
John Connor, Medicare On Demand
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 medicareondemand.com
Marci Carvalho, Transamerica
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 transamerica.com
Looking Ahead
This session was a powerful reminder that financial planning is about more than numbers—it’s about people. By combining legal understanding with empathy and ethics, advisors can maintain trust and deliver exceptional value even during life’s most difficult transitions.
We thank David Lederman and Mary Ballin for their thoughtful contributions and dedication to helping planners navigate these critical conversations.
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