When parents begin the divorce process, housing becomes one of the most emotionally loaded and financially consequential decisions they face. Homes carry meaning—routine, safety, identity—and for children, the place where they live anchors their sense of stability. Yet too often, families wait until late in the process to explore whether one parent can keep the home, whether a refinance is possible, or whether relocation can be avoided. By that point, options have narrowed.
In this episode of the Children First Family Law® podcast, Krista interviews divorce finance and mortgage expert Todd Huetner, known as the divorce CFO, about why housing choices should be addressed early in a divorce and how those decisions shape children’s well-being long after legal papers are signed.
Todd highlights a central issue: parents and attorneys often rely on assumptions about mortgage qualifications that simply aren’t accurate. Whether someone can keep a home depends on far more than income. Credit issues, temporary maintenance timelines, the ability to assume a loan, the impact of self-employment income, and the structure of asset transfers all play a role. A slight miscalculation, such as delaying temporary support or misunderstanding when income can be counted, can cost a parent the ability to qualify for a mortgage.
For many families, the bigger risk is assuming a parent cannot keep the home when, in fact, they might. This is especially common when one parent has been home with children and believes they lack the income to qualify. Todd explains that creative approaches—limited-term maintenance, restructuring assets through a trust, or planning the timing of employment—can sometimes make the difference. When these strategies are overlooked, families may miss out on long-term financial opportunities, including the ability to build equity and maintain stability in a child’s school community.
Relocation adds another layer. When a parent cannot stay in the area because housing feels out of reach, children may face abrupt changes in schools, communities, and support systems. Housing insecurity increases the likelihood of multiple moves, destabilizing everyone involved. Todd encourages families to evaluate all options, including keeping the home, buying in a different area, or renting temporarily before making irreversible decisions.
Professionals also play a key role. Attorneys and mediators may unintentionally limit options by using vague drafting language, relying on incomplete lender information, or overlooking the financial timing required for certain mortgage products. Todd recommends that professionals ask better questions early in the process and collaborate with divorce-sensitive financial experts before finalizing agreements.
With thoughtful planning, early evaluation, and the right guidance, families can make housing decisions that prioritize stability for children. This episode offers a reminder that financial choices are, at their core, parenting decisions that matter deeply.
If you want to learn more about the Children First Family Law Podcast, check out www.stg-childrenfirstfamilylawpc-stg.kinsta.cloud/divorce-money-why-it-matters-for-kids-with-divorce-finance-expert-todd-huetner.