A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™) is a member of the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA™) who specializes in the financial issues surrounding divorce. The role of the CDFA™ includes acting as an advisor to one party’s divorce lawyer, or as a mediator for both parties. A CDFA™ uses his or her knowledge of tax law, asset distribution, and short-term and long-term financial planning to achieve an equitable divorce settlement. 

To become a CDFA™, a person must satisfactorily fulfill the following requirements: 

• Education – CDFA™ professionals must develop their theoretical and practical understanding and knowledge of the financial aspects of divorce by completing a comprehensive course of study approved by the IDFA™. 
• Examination – CDFA™ practitioners must pass a four-part Certification Examination that tests their understanding and knowledge of the financial aspects of divorce. In addition, the practitioner must demonstrate the practical application of this knowledge in the divorce process. 
• Experience – CDFA™ professionals must have a minimum of two years of experience in a financial or legal capacity prior to earning the right to use the CDFA™ certification mark. 
• Ethics – As a final step to certification, CDFA™ practitioners agree to abide by a strict code of professional conduct known as the IDFA™ Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, that sets forth their ethical responsibilities to the public, clients, employers and other professionals. The IDFA™ may perform a background check during this process and each candidate for CDFA™ certification must disclose any investigations or legal proceedings relating to his or her professional or business conduct. 
• Ongoing Certification Requirements – Once certified, CDFA™ practitioners are required to maintain technical competence and fulfill ethical obligations. Every two years, they must complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing education, ten (10) of which are specifically related to the field of divorce. In addition to the biennial continuing education requirement, as part of the renewal process all CDFA™ practitioners must voluntarily disclose any public, civil, criminal, or disciplinary actions that have been taken against them during the past two years.