Divorce is one of life’s most difficult transitions — emotionally, personally, and financially. Having guided families through life’s many milestones, I’ve often seen how uncertainty about the financial impact of separation can add an extra layer of stress during an already challenging time.

That’s why I’m proud to share that I’ve earned the Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist (CFDS) designation through the Academy of Financial Divorce Specialists — a certification that deepens my ability to help individuals and families navigate the financial complexities of divorce with clarity, fairness, and empathy.

What Is a CFDS?

A Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist is a financial professional — often a planner or accountant — who has specialized training in divorce-related financial analysis. CFDS professionals work with clients (and often their legal teams) to evaluate the short- and long-term implications of proposed settlements, including:

•           Division of property, pensions, and investments

•           Tax implications and income planning

•           Household budgeting and lifestyle sustainability

•           Child and spousal support scenarios

•           Retirement and long-term financial projections

By using specialized software and forecasting tools, a CFDS can model different scenarios to help clients see not just what a settlement looks like today, but how it may affect their future 5, 10, or 20 years from now.

Why This Matters

Divorce can feel like standing at a crossroads — uncertain which path leads to stability and peace of mind. The right financial guidance can make all the difference. My goal, as both a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and now a Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist (CFDS), is to bring understanding and balance to these complex moments, ensuring decisions are made with both logic and compassion.

Whether it’s protecting future retirement goals, maintaining a home, or rebuilding financial confidence after separation, my role is to help clients see the full picture — and make decisions that support their long-term wellbeing.

Integrating CFDS Into My Practice

My philosophy has always been about treating financial planning like wellness — caring for your financial health through every stage of life. With the CFDS designation, I can now extend that same philosophy to clients navigating divorce, providing the same trusted, goals-based advice — but through a lens of fairness, foresight, and emotional understanding.

If you or someone you know is going through a separation and feels uncertain about the financial implications, know that there are compassionate, specialized professionals who can help.

Life doesn’t move in straight lines. Relationships evolve, families change, and financial plans must adapt. My commitment remains the same: to provide clarity, empathy, and expertise — no matter where you are in life’s journey.

Jesse Ogloff, B.Comm, PFP, CFP, CIM, CFDS

Associate Wealth Advisor / Associate Portfolio Manager

CIBC Wood Gundy