In a collaborative or mediated divorce, a financial neutral works for both spouses — not for either side — to gather the financial facts, organize them clearly, and model the options. Instead of two experts producing two competing sets of numbers, you and your spouse work from one shared, transparent picture.
What a divorce financial neutral does
- Gathers and organizes financial documents from both spouses
- Builds a complete inventory of assets, debts, and income — and flags separate-versus-shared property questions for your attorneys
- Prepares budgets and cash-flow projections for two households after the divorce
- Analyzes complex assets: RSUs and stock options, business interests, retirement accounts, investments, and property abroad
- Prepares the income information needed for child support and spousal support discussions
- Models settlement options so both spouses can see the cash-flow and after-tax effect of each
- Presents the same information to both spouses and, with permission, to each spouse's attorney or collaborative team
What a financial neutral does not do
A financial neutral does not advocate for either spouse, and does not give legal advice. Crossroads Neutral, LLC is not a law firm and does not prepare tax returns or manage investments; where you need legal, tax, or investment advice, we coordinate with your attorneys, CPA, or financial adviser.
Why one neutral instead of two experts
- One set of numbers. Both spouses see the same facts, so negotiation starts from agreement rather than dispute.
- Lower cost. One professional typically costs less than two opposing experts.
- Less conflict. Financial questions are answered by analysis, not argument.
- Better understanding. The spouse less involved in the family finances gets plain-language explanations and time to ask questions.
Part of a collaborative divorce team
In a collaborative divorce, each spouse has a collaboratively trained attorney, and the team may include a financial neutral and a divorce coach. Joti Basi holds a certificate in collaborative law and is a member of the King County Bar Association’s Collaborative Section, King County Collaborative Law, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and the Washington Mediation Association. The same neutral financial work also supports couples who are mediating rather than using a full collaborative team. Professionals can read how we work with attorneys and financial professionals.
Built for complex finances
Our founder spent more than twenty years in the software industry and holds an MBA from the University of Washington — so vesting schedules, bonus-driven pay, business cash flow, assets, debts, and RSUs are familiar territory. Read more about high-asset divorce and executive and professional divorce. We work in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, or investment advice. Crossroads Neutral, LLC is not a law firm. Please consult a licensed attorney about your rights and obligations.
