Why I Earned the Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) Designation
Divorce real estate has been part of my work for years, long before I ever added a formal designation to my name. Through Trellis — the professional network I co-founded with a financial advisor — I've sat alongside other professionals who all see the same thing: when a marriage ends, the house is rarely just a house. It's memories, equity, stability, and sometimes the biggest source of conflict in the entire process.
That is why I recently completed the training to earn my Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) designation.
What a CDS® designation means
A Certified Divorce Specialist is a professional with additional education specifically focused on the divorce process. The training goes well beyond market analysis and contract negotiation. It covers:
- The emotional and psychological stages clients move through during divorce
- How to communicate neutrally with both parties and their attorneys
- The legal and financial timeline of property division
- Common mistakes that can derail a sale or worsen conflict
- How to build a referral team that actually understands divorce
It is not a credential every agent holds, and it is not one you earn in a weekend. It requires focused coursework and a commitment to working with families in transition.
Why I pursued it now
I already had the Residential Real Estate Divorce Specialist (RREDS) certification, which gave me a strong foundation in pricing, staging, and managing transactions during divorce. The CDS® designation adds another layer — the human layer. It formalizes the approach I've tried to bring to this work all along: calm, neutral, informed, and connected to the right professionals.
What this means for clients
If you or someone you know is navigating divorce and needs to sell a home, here is what the CDS® designation translates to in practice:
- A real estate advisor who understands what you are going through, not just the market
- Clear, fair communication with both parties, attorneys, and mediators
- A defensible valuation and a marketing plan that protects your privacy
- A trusted referral network for legal, financial, and emotional support
- A process designed to reduce conflict, not add to it
A word to friends and colleagues
Divorce is one of those life events people do not plan for, but it touches nearly every family eventually. If you are an attorney, mediator, financial planner, or therapist working with a client who owns real estate on the Front Range, I would welcome a conversation. I take referrals seriously, and I treat every client — and every family — with the care this situation deserves.
You can learn more about my divorce real estate services on the dedicated page, or reach out directly for a confidential conversation.