Donna Cates

About

Donna S. Cates, CDFA®, CRPC® Divorce Financial Strategist | Financial Mediator | Speaker | 3-Time Best-Selling Author For more than 26 years, I've helped women navigate life's financial transitions with greater clarity, confidence, and control. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) and Divorce Financial Mediator, I help women understand the financial implications of divorce before agreements are finalized, empowering them to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. My work focuses on property division, retirement and pension analysis, settlement options, cash flow planning, tax considerations, and long-term financial security. I help clients evaluate complex financial decisions through a practical lens so they can negotiate from a position of knowledge rather than fear. I am the founder of Money Matters Wealth Solutions and leader of the Navigating Divorce: What Women Need to Know About Divorce workshop. Through more than 195 divorce-focused programs, I've helped educate over 2,800 women on protecting their financial interests, understanding their options, and making confident decisions about their future. Clients often tell me they value my ability to translate complex financial concepts into plain English while providing compassionate guidance during one of life's most challenging transitions. My role is not to tell clients what to do. My role is to help them understand the financial consequences of their choices so they can make decisions aligned with their goals and values. Whether you're considering divorce, actively negotiating a settlement, or rebuilding afterward, I am committed to helping you create a stronger financial foundation for the next chapter of your life. Because hope is not a financial strategy. I welcome referrals from attorneys, mediators, therapists, divorce coaches, mortgage professionals, and other members of the divorce community seeking a trusted financial resource and advocate for their clients.

Specializations