Lifestyle Analysis

In divorce, especially after 50, understanding your true lifestyle expenses is critical. Courts in Georgia often use lifestyle analysis to determine spousal support (alimony) and to assess each spouse’s financial needs. For individuals approaching retirement, this process also ensures that post-divorce budgets align with realistic expectations and available resources. 

At Piedmont Divorce Planning we provide detailed lifestyle analysis as part of divorce financial planning to help clients protect their financial stability and prepare for their next chapter.  

What Is Lifestyle Analysis? 

A lifestyle analysis is a comprehensive review of income, expenses, and spending patterns during the marriage. It identifies: 

• Household Expenses: Housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, and transportation. 

• Discretionary Spending: Travel, entertainment, dining, and hobbies. 

• Healthcare Costs: Premiums, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and long-term care. 

• Inflation Adjustments: How future costs may increase over time. 

This financial snapshot provides a foundation for negotiations and ensures settlements reflect each spouse’s realistic financial picture.  

The Role of Lifestyle Analysis in Georgia Divorce 

In Georgia, equitable distribution and spousal support decisions may rely heavily on lifestyle analysis. Courts want to ensure that the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage is fairly considered when determining financial arrangements. A professional analysis can provide documentation to support or challenge claims about living expenses. 

Why Lifestyle Analysis Is Critical After 50 

For couples divorcing later in life, lifestyle analysis serves two purposes: 

• Alimony Determination: Establishing whether support is needed and how much is appropriate. 

• Retirement Planning: Ensuring retirement savings and income sources can sustain the desired lifestyle. 

Without a clear understanding of lifestyle needs, individuals risk overspending, underestimating expenses, or entering retirement unprepared. 

The Role of Divorce Financial Analysis 

As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Heather Ashworth Failla helps clients by: 

• Collecting and analyzing detailed expense records. 

• Projecting post-divorce budgets for both immediate and long-term needs. 

• Demonstrating the financial impact of lifestyle choices. 

• Creating strategies to maintain stability and independence after divorce. 

Protect Your Lifestyle and Financial Stability 

Divorce changes your household, but it doesn’t have to upend your financial security. With professional lifestyle analysis, you gain clarity about your true needs and the resources required to meet them. 

Schedule a consultation with Piedmont Divorce Planning to secure your lifestyle and financial well-being in your Georgia divorce. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Lifestyle Analysis in Divorce 

Q1: What is a lifestyle analysis in divorce? 
It’s a financial review of income, spending, and expenses during the marriage, used to establish each spouse’s financial needs and standard of living. 

Q2: Why do courts use lifestyle analysis in Georgia divorce cases? 
Lifestyle analysis helps courts determine fair spousal support (alimony) and ensures that settlements reflect the standard of living maintained during the marriage. 

Q3: What expenses are included in lifestyle analysis? 
Housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, discretionary spending, and inflation projections are typically included. 

Q4: How does lifestyle analysis affect spousal support after 50? 
For couples over 50, lifestyle analysis is often used to establish whether long-term alimony is necessary and whether retirement income will sustain the lifestyle enjoyed during marriage. 

Q5: How can lifestyle analysis help me plan for retirement after divorce? 
It shows whether your retirement assets and income sources can realistically cover your projected expenses, helping you make informed financial decisions.