In this episode of Wisdom for What’s Next, Megan Jewett, CFP®, sits down with Krista Shelton, CFE, a former IRS criminal investigator and founder of Focused Forensic Solutions. Krista shares 5 financial red flags she looks for in divorce cases and explains how forensic accountants trace money when the financial picture is incomplete.

Megan and Krista also discuss how a forensic accountant, an attorney, and a wealth advisor can work together. That can mean identifying gaps in the records, helping the attorney ask more targeted questions, and figuring out how the assets and income available after divorce can support your next chapter.

• A spouse’s small business can complicate the income picture. Krista explains how unreported revenue, changes in owner pay, and personal expenses paid through the business can affect the financial picture presented during divorce.
• Pay attention to gaps in the records. A missing account or a few months of missing bank statements are worth flagging so your attorney can ask for a complete set of records.
• Look more closely when a relative controls someone’s pay. A sudden drop in compensation from a family business can raise questions, especially when earnings had been rising for years.
• Compare reported income with actual spending. When the lifestyle and the reported income seem out of step, Krista explains how she compares tax returns with bank statements to see what money actually moved.
• Take your gut feeling seriously and let the records guide you. If something feels off, a forensic accountant can help identify which records are missing, explain what the available documents show, and give your attorney more specific questions to pursue.

If your spouse has always handled the finances, start by making sure you can access the household accounts you’re authorized to use and gathering the bank statements available to you. Seeing what comes in, what goes out, and which bills you’ll need to cover on your own gives you a starting point for planning life after divorce.

Krista Shelton, CFE
Founder and President, Focused Forensic Solutions

• Forensic accounting services and inquiries — https://www.focusedforensic.com
• Firm email — info@focusedforensic.com
• Krista’s website — https://kristasheltoncfe.com
• Follow the Money newsletter, with case studies and practical tips on where to start — https://kristasheltoncfe.substack.com

Megan Jewett, CFP®
Co-Founder & Wealth Advisor
Craft & Sage Wealth
https://craftandsage.com

Have a question about divorce, women and wealth, or another financial topic you’d like Megan to cover? Visit craftandsage.com and send it through the contact form.

In this episode of Wisdom for What’s Next, Megan Jewett, CFP®, co-founder and wealth advisor at Craft & Sage Wealth, welcomes fellow co-founder John Christy, CFP®, to explore how real estate fits into a broader financial plan.

John shares his experience as both a financial planner and a real estate investor, including how he got started with his first rental property. Together, they discuss active and passive investing, balancing property ownership with access to cash, and how 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts may support changing income, retirement, and legacy goals.

They also cover a mistake that can derail a 1031 exchange and why the right professionals should be involved before a sale.

Key Takeaways

• How involved do you want to be? From managing tenants to investing through passive vehicles, real estate offers different levels of responsibility, complexity, and time commitment
• Keep liquidity in the conversation: Property ownership should be considered alongside your cash needs, other investments, and ability to handle unexpected expenses
• Plan before selling an investment property: John explains the purpose of a 1031 exchange, the role of a qualified intermediary, and why taking receipt of the proceeds can prevent an exchange
• Consider what comes after being a landlord: Passive real estate options, including Delaware Statutory Trusts, may offer a way to change your involvement as your priorities evolve
• Think about the next generation: A property portfolio that works for you may create challenges for heirs who don’t have the interest, time, or ability to manage it

Own investment property or considering your next move? Learn more about how Craft & Sage Wealth helps real estate investors connect their property decisions with their broader financial goals:
https://craftandsage.com/who-we-serve/real-estate-investors/

Have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover? Connect with our team at https://craftandsage.com and follow Wisdom for What’s Next for more practical conversations about life and money.

In this episode of Wisdom for What’s Next, Megan Jewett, WMS™ CFP®, co-founder and wealth advisor at Craft & Sage Wealth, closes her three-part conversation on death, divorce, and disability. She discusses steps families can take before a crisis, from reviewing account access and insurance coverage to understanding cash flow and updating an estate plan. Megan also shares why caregivers need support and room to care for themselves.

Key Takeaways

• Make sure someone can manage the household finances
  Review how accounts are titled, who can access them, and where essential account information is kept.
• Know what income and benefits may be available
  Understand your disability insurance coverage and explore whether Social Security disability benefits may apply.
• Plan for a change in cash flow
  If a household income is reduced, review expenses and discuss potential income sources with your financial and tax professionals before making decisions.
• Revisit your estate plan
  A spouse’s or child’s disability may change what your plan needs to provide, including how an inheritance could affect a child’s eligibility for benefits.
• Give caregivers room to breathe
  Taking on someone else’s care while managing the household is a major change. Megan encourages caregivers to seek support and make time for themselves.

For more resources, visit craftandsage.com. Follow Wisdom for What’s Next for more conversations about life’s financial transitions, and share this episode with someone who may find it helpful.

In this episode of Wisdom for What’s Next, Megan Jewett, co-founder and wealth advisor at Craft & Sage Wealth, continues the Women & Wealth conversation with a personal look at navigating divorce. Drawing on her own experience, Megan explores the financial decisions that can shape life after a marriage ends.

From understanding what you own to deciding whether to keep the house, Megan shares questions to ask before making decisions. She also discusses choosing a divorce attorney, evaluating your financial relationships, and finding professionals who will help you advocate for yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Know your financial picture before you need to manage it alone
  Understand your household’s income, expenses, accounts, and cash flow. Knowing where your money is, how accounts are titled, and what you can access helps you prepare for the decisions ahead.
  
• Equal account balances don’t always mean equal value
  Retirement savings, cash, and home equity serve different purposes. Taxes, potential penalties, and access to funds can affect what each asset means for your everyday needs and long-term future.
  
• Keeping the house requires a closer look at the numbers
  Buying out a spouse’s share may involve refinancing and a different monthly payment. Consider how the home fits into your budget after the divorce, including the cash flow you’ll need to maintain it.
  
• Choose an attorney whose experience fits your situation
  Ask about relevant cases, fees, communication, and ongoing support. Understand who will handle your questions and how you’ll receive updates throughout the process.
  
• Build a professional team that supports your next chapter
  Consider whether your financial advisor, tax professional, and estate planning attorney are the right fit going forward. Revisit account ownership, beneficiary designations, and estate documents so they reflect your new circumstances and wishes.
  

For more resources, visit craftandsage.com. Follow Wisdom for What’s Next for more conversations about life’s financial transitions, and share this episode with someone who may find it helpful.

In this episode of Wisdom for What’s Next, Megan Jewett, CFP®, focuses on women and wealth and one of the most difficult transitions a family can experience: the death of a loved one.

Megan walks through the financial information women should understand before a loss occurs, including household cash flow, taxes, insurance, Social Security, important accounts, and the professionals they may eventually need to call.

She also explains why women should have an active voice in their finances even when a spouse or partner traditionally handles the money, and shares the questions to ask when choosing a financial advisor who will listen, communicate clearly, and understand what matters to you.

Key Takeaways

Know how your financial life works before you have to manage it alone.
Understand where money comes from, how bills get paid, where accounts are held, who prepares your taxes, and how to access important information. Looking for passwords and paperwork shouldn’t be your first priority after someone dies.

Being involved doesn’t mean you have to manage everything yourself.
Even when one spouse traditionally handles the family’s finances, both people should understand the overall financial picture and know who to contact when something changes.

The loss of a loved one can change your income.
Social Security and other income sources may work differently after the death of a spouse. Megan discusses why knowing that survivor and former-spouse benefits may exist can help you ask the right questions when the time comes.

Your financial advisor should understand both people in the relationship.
An advisor should listen to each person’s concerns, goals, risk preferences, and questions rather than building the relationship around only the spouse who typically handles the finances.

You should be able to advocate for yourself.
Megan recommends asking prospective advisors whether they act as a fiduciary, whether they’re independent, how they’re compensated, and what you should expect from them when it comes to communication.

The best preparation can make room for grief.
Financial planning won’t make a loss easier, but having accounts organized, professionals in place, and a basic understanding of your options can reduce the number of financial decisions demanding attention during an already difficult time.

For Women Navigating Life’s Biggest Transitions

Death, divorce, disability, and other major changes can alter your financial life quickly. Becoming more involved in your finances today can make it easier to understand your options, ask better questions, and make informed decisions when circumstances change.

Connect with Craft & Sage Wealth

Megan Jewett, CFP® — Co-Founder & Wealth Advisor
Craft & Sage Wealth
craftandsage.com

Have a question about women and wealth or another financial topic you’d like Megan to discuss? Visit craftandsage.com and submit it through the contact form.

In the first episode of Wisdom for What’s Next, Megan Jewett, CFP®, co-founder and wealth advisor at Craft & Sage Wealth, shares the personal experiences that shaped her career and the reason behind the podcast.

From helping her family navigate her father’s stroke and passing to her own experiences with divorce, single motherhood, and raising a child with special needs, Megan explains how those moments changed the way she approaches financial planning and the people she serves.

She also looks ahead at what listeners can expect from Wisdom for What’s Next: conversations about retirement, estate planning, taxes, business transitions, real estate, caring for aging parents, women and wealth, and the financial questions that come with life’s biggest transitions.

Key Takeaways

Personal experience can change the way you advise others.
Megan’s career in wealth management became deeply personal when her father suffered a massive stroke at age 58. Helping her mother manage the financial side of that transition reinforced the value of having someone who can help when life suddenly changes.

Financial planning matters most when the plan gets disrupted.
Retirement, the loss of a loved one, divorce, disability, selling a business, or caring for aging parents can all create decisions people weren’t expecting to make. Those are the moments when preparation becomes especially important.

The right financial support can create space for what matters most.
During her father’s illness, Megan was able to take financial responsibilities off her mother’s plate so her mother could focus on caring for him and processing what their family was going through.

Real financial questions don’t always fit neatly into an annual review.
Buying a car, purchasing a second home, thinking through long-term care, or figuring out retirement income can raise questions at any time. This podcast is designed to make those conversations more accessible.

Different transitions require different expertise.
Future episodes will bring in professionals from areas such as estate planning and tax planning, along with other Craft & Sage advisors who work with business owners, real estate investors, and families navigating major financial decisions.

Wisdom for what’s next starts before the next chapter arrives.
The goal isn’t to predict exactly what life will bring. It’s to better understand the decisions you may eventually face and have resources available when you need them.

For Anyone Wondering What Comes Next

Whether you’re approaching retirement, navigating a major life change, helping aging parents, selling a business, or simply trying to make better decisions about your financial future, Wisdom for What’s Next is built around the questions that tend to surface along the way.

Connect with Craft & Sage Wealth

Megan Jewett, CFP® — Co-Founder & Wealth Advisor
Craft & Sage Wealth
craftandsage.com

Have a question or topic you’d like Megan to cover? Visit craftandsage.com and submit it through the contact form.