Divorce is a legal process that focuses on dividing marital property, assets, and debts. It also sets custody, visitation, and child support arrangements. However, the legal process represents only one part of the journey. This is where coaching plays an essential role. When clients add a divorce coach early, they often experience greater clarity and support.

A divorce coach helps individuals navigate intense emotions and practical challenges. At the same time, coaches help clients clarify priorities as they make decisions about assets and co-parenting. Throughout the transition, a coach offers steady guidance. From the uncertainty at the beginning to life after divorce, coaches help clients adapt, rebuild, and move forward with confidence. By providing both emotional and strategic support, divorce coaches empower clients to make informed, forward-focused decisions.

Many professionals describe divorce as four experiences occurring at once: emotional, legal, financial, and social. While attorneys manage the legal process, divorce coaches address the emotional, social, and financial layers. Through active listening and thoughtful questions, coaches help clients identify what works and what no longer serves them. As clients gain insight, they shift perspective and begin to chart a new path forward.

Two of the most valuable roles a divorce coach offers include acting as a soundboard and serving as a thinking partner. Coaches help clients build confidence and courage during a difficult time. In addition, they strengthen self-awareness and emotional intelligence. This awareness helps clients understand how their decisions affect family dynamics and long-term outcomes.

Effectively managing legal and financial matters remains critical during divorce. In this phase, a coach helps clients accept their new reality and define clear priorities. Separating emotional processing from legal decision-making often reduces unnecessary legal costs. By fostering clarity and organization, divorce coaches help clients collaborate more productively with attorneys and other professionals. As a result, clients set realistic expectations and advocate for their needs more effectively.

Organized and empowered clients explore options more confidently, ask thoughtful questions, and communicate clearly. This confidence supports them throughout the divorce process and beyond. It also creates a strong foundation for rebuilding life and redefining family roles. A divorce coach provides consistent support throughout this transition, guiding clients from the status quo toward reinvention with purpose and resilience.

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Safeguarding Your Retirement

As you gain clarity on your retirement goals and the steps needed to achieve them, it’s important to recognize that even carefully crafted plans can be disrupted by unexpected events. Protecting your retirement plan and your family requires several key strategies. These include insurance, asset protection, and estate planning.

Life insurance plays a crucial role in protecting your family from the financial impact of losing a loved one. If you or your spouse passes away, life insurance benefits can help replace lost income and preserve your retirement plan. Some policies also build cash value over time. This value can be accessed as a supplemental source of retirement income. With many life insurance products available, it’s important to carefully evaluate your options and choose the best fit for your needs.

Long Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance is another important consideration. As people age, the need for assistance with daily activities often increases. At the same time, the cost of home health aides or nursing facilities can be substantial. Medicare typically does not cover these expenses. Long-term care insurance helps pay for these services and protects your retirement savings from high healthcare costs. It also ensures you receive the care you need without placing a financial burden on your family. Several types of long-term care policies exist, and each one serves a specific purpose.

Estate Planning

Estate planning plays a fundamental role in preserving your legacy and ensuring your wishes are honored. Tools such as living trusts allow you to manage your assets during your lifetime and direct their distribution after death. Wills also serve an important purpose. Many people use them to specify how individually owned property should be handled.

Advance directives are just as important. They document your preferences for end-of-life care and ease the burden on loved ones during emotional times. Working with an experienced estate attorney and financial advisor helps you create a comprehensive plan that aligns with your intentions.

Asset protection

Additionally, asset protection strategies play a vital role in shielding your retirement savings from creditors and legal claims. Many retirement accounts, including 401(k)s and other plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), provide strong protection from most creditors. State laws may offer additional safeguards for IRAs, annuities, and life insurance policies. You can further insulate your assets by establishing trusts or other legal structures, particularly in states that permit asset protection trusts. Reviewing your insurance coverage, understanding the protections within your retirement accounts, and regularly updating your estate plan remain critical steps for securing your financial future and protecting your family’s well-being.

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Financial Coaching with Liebe Miller

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The above material does not constitute accounting, legal, or tax advice. You should consult the appropriate professional to discuss your particular situation.

Signature Financial Advisors , LLC is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Signature Financial Advisors, LLC and its representatives are registered, licensed, or exempted *Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training*

Building Your Retirement Roadmap

Identifying Sources and Meeting Your Lifestyle Goals

Every effective retirement plan begins with a clear vision of your future, regardless of how murky it may seem. Before we dive into the numbers, we take time to help you imagine your ideal retirement. Do you see yourself traveling the world or enjoying the comforts of home? Are you drawn to a simpler lifestyle? Do you picture indulging in luxury? Consider whether you want to remain in your current home or move closer to family and friends. There are no right or wrong answers. Your retirement vision is personal and may evolve over time. Reflecting on these questions now is essential to understanding the true costs of your preferred retirement lifestyle, the resources you’ll need to achieve your goals before and during retirement, and the strategies necessary to build your nest egg. Building your retirement roadmap, identifying sources, and meeting your lifestyle goals is the formula for success.

Customized Plan

Once we’ve clarified your goals, the next step is to estimate how much income you’ll need. Start by creating a spending plan based on your current expenses, then we will adjust for inflation, tax implications, anticipated lifestyle changes, and the likelihood of increased expenses for leisure and travel. Think about how your spending habits may shift as you approach retirement. While a customized analysis will provide the most accurate estimate, a general rule is to plan on replacing close to 100% of your current annual income in retirement. We, as advisors, will assist you in a customized projection, not just assume you will be spending less at retirement.

Equally important is understanding where your retirement income will come from. Most retirees draw from a combination of sources, including Social Security, which provides a small foundation of guaranteed income based on your work history. Medicare is not considered an income source, but it may help cover some healthcare costs. It is important to include out-of-pocket expenses and supplemental insurance in your spending plan.

Employee retirement savings plans such as 401(k) and 403(b) accounts allow you to save pre-tax dollars for retirement, while defined benefit plans (traditional pensions) pay a set monthly benefit with no inflation. Defined contribution plans like 401(k)s depend on contributions and investment performance. Personal savings—including IRAs, brokerage accounts, and other investments—also play a critical role. Reviewing all your potential income sources will help you determine whether your projected income aligns with your retirement goals. If there’s a gap, you may need to adjust your savings or spending strategy. Significant lifestyle changes may require you to update your estimates. It is essential to regularly review and refine your retirement plan—especially as your retirement date approaches and beyond.

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Disclosure

Investment Advisory Representative of Signature Financial Advisors.

Signature Financial Advisors is affiliated with Signature FA, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory firm in the State of Texas.*

Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Signature Financial Advisors, LLC and its representatives are registered, licensed or exempted.*

*Registration does not imply a particular level of skill or training.

The above discussion of some possible tax strategies does not constitute tax advice. Signature Financial Advisors does not give tax advice. You are encouraged to consult with your own tax advisor who can assist you with your unique personal situation.

The Wealth and Powershift

How Women are Reshaping the Financial Landscape

A profound transformation is underway in the world of wealth, as women are poised to control more than half of the nation’s assets by 2030—a shift that is already reshaping the financial landscape. This landscape reflects evolving priorities, new opportunities, and unique challenges for women. By 2045, an estimated $85 trillion in wealth will be transferred through inheritance, with nearly 70% expected to be controlled by women. Women are not just inheritors—they are also creating significant wealth through their own careers and business ventures.

Factors Accelerating The Shift

Several factors are accelerating this shift. Demographically, women tend to live longer than men, which makes them more likely to inherit and manage family wealth. At the same time, more women are rising to senior corporate roles and founding successful businesses, further expanding their economic influence. In addition, younger generations of women engage far more actively with their finances than previous generations. They want control, and they continue to challenge outdated stereotypes about women and money.

We recognize that women often approach wealth management differently than men. In particular, they tend to think more holistically about wealth, with a strong focus on legacy, caregiving, and supporting others. Meanwhile, the myth that women are inherently more risk-averse continues to fade. This shift reflects purpose, not fear. Women seek education to make informed decisions, and their approach to risk centers on thoughtful planning rather than avoidance.

Because of this, we strive to create an environment where women feel comfortable expressing both goals and concerns. The shift toward female-directed wealth is deeply personal. Many women—especially those who have gained wealth through loss, widowhood, or divorce—manage more than assets alone. They navigate major life transitions, which makes empathy and partnership essential qualities in an advisor.

At A Nu Beginning, we partner with women by explaining concepts clearly and working collaboratively. We understand that women who build wealth often have different experiences and needs than those who inherit it. As a result, we focus on relationships grounded in trust and empowerment. Our clients want more than generic financial plans. Ultimately, we want every woman we work with to feel confident making decisions that align with her values. Learn more about our expert Liebe Miller.

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When we decide to begin again, we don’t have to wait for a Nu year, a Nu month, or even a Nu week. Any moment can be the right time to start fresh!

There are times in our lives that naturally lend themselves to Nu beginnings, such as the start of a Nu year, finishing school, leaving a job or an area of the country, changing homes, getting married, going through a divorce, or experiencing widowhood. These moments often prompt us to consider starting A Nu way.

Their advantage is that they bring renewed energy. A change in the tide around these events can signal the beginning of a Nu horizon. At that point, we make a choice to start a Nu. At any moment, we can decide that a bad day or relationship has gotten off on the wrong footing. We make the choice to either relaunch it or complete it. It is a mental shift that allows us to clear our slate and approach our journey with a Nu perspective. The choice to begin again is always available to us.

Intention

Starting a Nu is one of the most powerful ways to focus our attention and remind ourselves that we have the power to create a Nu path. It all comes down to our intention and how we respond to the unwanted aspects of our lives, whether we choose to resist or persist. We must remember to leave enough room in this process of a Nu beginning to be kind to ourselves. It takes time to become comfortable with anything Nu, no matter how much we want or like the change. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t reach your newly defined goals instantly. Instead, acknowledge the progress you have made, knowing that each choice leads to more growth and positive direction.

Make sure your choice to start a Nu carries its own energy. The momentum you create can pull you forward, propelling you in your chosen direction. Once your journey has begun, it may take some unexpected turns, but it never truly ends. This process is much like the cycles of the seasons—some periods are for growth, some for rest, and some simply for waiting for the right moment to move forward. Each time you choose to start a Nu, you dedicate yourself to becoming the best version of yourself at that moment in time.

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Divorcing a Narcissist

Divorcing a narcissist takes courage, skill, and a professional team that can help you navigate combative behavior. Characteristics of this behavior include an exaggerated sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy, and a tendency to complicate simple processes.

With expertise on your team, including a divorce coach and other professionals, we can help you create a strategic plan to carefully and successfully divorce a narcissist. Before delving into strategies, it is critical to understand the traits associated with narcissism. Narcissists have an excessive need for admiration, exploit others for personal gain, and possess fragile self-esteem. Recognizing these traits helps you anticipate and prepare for the challenges that may arise during divorce proceedings. Check out the BLOG by Jon Rhodes to learn more about Narcissists.

Assemble Your Support Team

Divorcing a narcissist can be isolating and emotionally draining. Building a strong support system with family, friends, therapists, and a professional team experienced in high-conflict divorces is essential. A divorce coach, in particular, provides invaluable guidance by helping you manage emotions, improve communication, and develop effective negotiation skills. They serve as a neutral, solution-focused partner who supports you through the emotional and practical challenges of divorce.

Additionally, your professional team may include attorneys, financial advisors, mediators, and mental health experts—all coordinated to protect your interests and reduce conflict. This comprehensive support network understands the dynamics at play and offers both emotional and practical assistance, increasing your chances of achieving the best possible outcome.

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Dealing With and Accepting Family: The Outcome of Our Experiences Will Be Easier

Family can include fascinating personalities. Although similar traits may be common, there are many differences in how these traits are expressed. The situation becomes even more complex when someone marries and adds another branch to their family, and when children arrive, even more personalities enter the picture. There may be some people we would not have chosen to be related to, but that’s what friends are for. Dealing with and accepting family makes the outcome of our experiences easier.

If we trust that a higher power has a purpose for everything, then we must believe that our family members are in our lives for good reasons, even if those reasons are not always obvious. Some reasons may be easy to see and appreciate, while others may present us with challenges. With those, we can look for something to learn.

In today’s modern world, where everyone seeks individuality. Many move far away from their families in an attempt to escape those traits. However, we have rarely seen that moving actually changes your life experience. Even when you successfully build a world around yourself that requires no one’s help, families remain attached to us forever. We can choose whether or not to honor family ties, but the fact that they are a part of us is absolute.

Our families help us see where we’ve come from and clarify where we are going. If we can learn to accept our family for who they are, we can go out into the world prepared to deal with anyone. Some families are better than others at preparing future generations to face the world, and what we’ve learned becomes the basis of our identity and individuality.

Rather than denying our connections, it’s much easier to accept them in our present lives. Acceptance leads to gratitude, and gratitude leads to a peaceful and fulfilling life.

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The First Step is to be Aware

Life is a journey with multiple steps along the way. Our personal path brings freedom and awareness to those who are paying attention. Freedom begins with awareness. Our everyday lives provide us with a myriad of opportunities that can transform our experiences. When someone in our life rubs us the wrong way, we may find ourselves wanting to walk away and create another path. We might also find ourselves traveling down a different road than the one we have journeyed on before. Sometimes, life feels like a never-ending circle where our actions and choices lead us nowhere, only to bring us back again. It is during these moments that awareness can be the starting point for potential change.

Freedom Begins with Awareness, so does Opportunity and Choice

Freedom begins with awareness that arises when we are finally able to realize what we are doing and take responsibility for it. We observe ourselves and notice our reactions, actions, and the choices we’ve made—hopefully for the wiser. Awareness is the first step to change. One needs to be conscious and committed at the beginning of understanding why we do what we do, when we do it. It becomes difficult not to change because we are no longer asleep at the wheel, and the truth behind our behavior becomes evident. We also begin to realize that just as much as we are the root source—the cause behind the behavior—we are also the originator of any change that we want to see happen.

There is joy and freedom that come with self-awareness. Rather than thinking that we are stuck in a repetitive cycle with no escape, we can begin to see that we are very much the key player in creating our lives and our outcomes. One of my favorite phrases is the definition of insanity: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.” With awareness, our path can’t help but propel us forward to new experiences and new ways of being. We can finally move forward, embrace change, and evolve into our best selves.

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Breaking Patterns That Are Challenging in Family Dynamics

It’s easy to believe that by leaving our childhood homes and embarking on adulthood, we can effectively remove ourselves from harmful and self-perpetuating family patterns. However, upon closer examination, we may discover that many of our behaviors and beliefs are still shaped by our youth—impressed upon us by our parents, grandparents, and the relatives who came before them. We often find ourselves unconsciously perpetuating cycles from previous generations, such as fears of scarcity, withholding affection, or patterns of secrecy. Yet, the transmission of these patterns—whether negative or positive—from one generation to the next is not inevitable. It is possible to become the endpoint.

Breaking the pattern involves overcoming the values imprinted upon us long ago and replacing them with purity, tolerance, love, and both unconscious and conscious awareness. The will to divert yourself from old, dark forms of familial energy can create space for new, loving energy, which may arrive in the form of an epiphany. One day, you may simply realize that certain aspects of your early life have negatively affected your health, happiness, and ability to evolve as an individual. To transcend long-standing patterns of beliefs, irrational behaviors, and emotional stagnation, you need to question your values and earnestly examine how your family has influenced you. Only then can you gain freedom from those cycles.

Permission to Change

To truly change, you must give yourself permission to do so. Breaking family patterns is not an easy act, nor is it an act of defiance or betrayal. It is crucial that you trust yourself implicitly when determining the behaviors and beliefs that will help you overwrite the next generation of cycles and values in the system of which you are a part. Many people around the world are currently breaking family cycles—they are true pioneers. In breaking these cycles, you will discover the ability to express your feelings and needs, allowing you to grow exponentially and embark on a new journey toward greater well-being.

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Communicating With Our Pets and Animals

By connecting with our furry friends, a deeper and more meaningful relationship begins to form. Many of us share a quiet and undeniable bond with our pets. This connection goes far beyond words or logic. It appears in the softness of a cat’s purr, a dog resting their head on our lap, or tilting it as if asking a question. We feel it in the steady rhythm of a horse’s breath as they rest nearby. Our pets don’t need words to reach us. They sense when we feel happy, hurting, or in need of comfort. In return, they offer open hearts filled with unwavering and unconditional love.

This unspoken connection is a gift. Through intuitive communication, it can be more deeply understood and consciously strengthened. We build stronger bonds by tuning into our pets’ emotions, needs, and desires. This practice is not about training or commands. Instead, it invites us to listen to the quiet whisper of our pets’ souls. Subtle body language and silent cues reveal their energy and intent.

When we welcome this connection, we open the door to deeper understanding. Guesswork falls away. True awareness begins to grow. Together, we create space for mutual trust and companionship, allowing both humans and animals to grow side by side.

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