CPA, CVA
Introduction/General Comments:
In my opinion, the collaborative divorce process is an effective, efficient and altogether more productive way to end a marriage than its alternative: litigation. Although not a viable option for some people, it has a number of important benefits, namely: 1) Allows both parties to clearly understand all issues — legal and financial; 2) Creates an environment in which creative solutions can be more easily reached; 3) Requires participants to spend less time and money on the end-to-end process; and 4) Results in less overall damage — for each participating party and for all associated children (if applicable).
Given my professional history and the fact that I have been through a divorce personally, I believe I am uniquely positioned to be helpful in collaborative family law cases. My firm financial foundation and my compassion-driven approach will enable me to be a financial neutral who will always strive to create win-win situations.
FIELDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Divorce services, including valuation of closely held businesses, analysis of income, tracing separate property, summarizing tax consequences of property division and spousal support; business planning and decision-making in connection with valuation services; and forensic accounting.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION/UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Furman University (1983); Certified Public Accountant, Accountancy Board of Ohio (1985); Certified Valuation Analyst, National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (2008)
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE GROUP MEMBERSHIPS: Win Win Divorce (2015)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/ACTIVITIES: My entire professional career has been in accounting and financial analysis, first with an international public accounting firm and then for the past 10 years in forensic accounting, business valuation and litigation support, with divorce work as my primary focus. I am currently a member of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).
PERSONAL INTERESTS/ACTIVITIES: I am a loyal neighborhood spinning class attendee, a devoted dog walker, a Broad Street Presbyterian Church member, a frequent movie watcher, and a loving-but-sometimes-exasperated mother of four children — who, since they have all grown up and moved away, keep my travel schedule busy!
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE AND RELATED SKILLS TRAINING: Collaborative divorce training by the COACDP Training Committee in January 2015 (12 hours); basic mediation training by the Supreme Court of Ohio, July 2015 (14 hours)
