It is important to discuss some expectations about Finances After Separation.

This is an information and skills-based course. Our goal is to provide you with basic information about the financial aspects of separation and to help you develop new skills that will help you and your family cope with the changes.

It is natural to feel sensitive about family issues. As you go through the course material, try to keep an open mind about information that is presented.

This course will suggest ways to handle situations; some of these situations may be new to you or challenge the way you think and act. An important goal of this course is to discover new strategies to help you through the separation process.

Be aware that some aspects might not relate directly to your situation, but they may be important for other people who are taking the course.

Personal safety of all family members is the highest priority. People come from different kinds of relationships including violent and abusive ones. Therefore, some of the strategies we are going to talk about may not work for you.  If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of your children, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or here: http://www.thehotline.org/

It is impossible to cover all aspects of financial issues that relate specifically to your separation. You can find more information and resources on the California courts self help website at www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htm.