14 KPIs to Determine If You Can Afford a Divorce

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

***

***

1. Net Income Stability

  • Your monthly income is predictable and consistent.
  • You can project your earnings for the next 12–24 months with reasonable confidence.

2. Post‑Divorce Budget Feasibility

  • You’ve calculated the cost of living as a single person.
  • Your income can cover housing, utilities, food, insurance, transportation, and childcare without relying on credit.

3. Emergency Fund Strength

  • You have at least 3–6 months of living expenses saved.
  • Divorce often brings unexpected costs—this buffer matters.

4. Debt‑to‑Income Ratio

  • Your total monthly debt payments are manageable relative to your income.
  • A lower ratio gives you more flexibility during and after the divorce.

5. Credit Score Health

  • A strong credit score helps you secure housing, refinance loans, or qualify for new credit if needed.

6. Housing Affordability

  • You can afford to stay in your current home or secure a new place without exceeding a safe percentage of your income.

7. Legal Cost Preparedness

  • You can pay for attorneys, mediation, filing fees, and potential expert evaluations.
  • You’ve estimated the range of legal expenses based on the complexity of your situation.

8. Ability to Separate Finances

  • You can open and maintain your own accounts.
  • You can handle your own bills, taxes, and financial planning.

9. Child‑Related Financial Capacity

  • You can afford childcare, education, healthcare, and extracurriculars.
  • You’ve modeled potential child support payments (either paying or receiving).

10. Health Insurance Continuity

  • You know how you’ll obtain coverage if you currently rely on your spouse’s plan.
  • You’ve priced out premiums and deductibles.

11. Retirement Asset Impact

  • You understand how splitting retirement accounts will affect your long‑term security.
  • You’ve considered whether you need to increase contributions post‑divorce.

12. Ability to Handle One‑Time Divorce Costs

  • Moving expenses, deposits, furniture, therapy, and time off work.
  • You have a plan to cover these without destabilizing your finances.

13. Long‑Term Financial Projection

  • You’ve run a 1‑, 3‑, and 5‑year forecast of your finances post‑divorce.
  • You can maintain or rebuild financial stability over time.

14. Emotional Decision‑Making Control

  • You’re able to make financial decisions based on logic, not panic or revenge.
  • Emotional clarity is a financial KPI because impulsive choices are expensive.

COMMENTS APPRECIATED

EDUCATION: Books

SPEAKING: Dr. Marcinko will be speaking and lecturing, signing and opining, teaching and preaching, storming and performing at many locations throughout the USA this year! His tour of witty and serious pontifications may be scheduled on a planned or ad-hoc basis; for public or private meetings and gatherings; formally, informally, or over lunch or dinner. All medical societies, financial advisory firms or Broker-Dealers are encouraged to submit an RFP for speaking engagements: CONTACT: Ann Miller RN MHA at MarcinkoAdvisors@outlook.com -OR- http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

Like, Refer and Subscribe

***

***

Filed under: iMBA, Inc. | Tagged: | Leave a comment »