Gray Divorce Financial Specialist
Navy pensions, Amgen stock, real estate — California's community property law requires expertise. This guide shows you exactly what to protect.
Leanne Ozaine, CDFA® & CFP® | Specializing in gray divorce for 50+
Turn Panic Into Power — $97If you're over 50 and facing divorce in Ventura County, you're not fighting over custody—your children are likely grown, in college, or starting their own families. Instead, you're navigating the financial complexity of dividing military pensions, biotech stock compensation, and valuable California real estate accumulated over decades.
This is especially overwhelming if you've never personally managed the household finances. Perhaps your spouse handled the Navy pension paperwork, the Amgen RSUs, or the real estate investments while you focused on family and community. Now you're facing questions like:
Here's what nobody tells you: A "fair" settlement can still leave you struggling.
50/50 sounds equal. But if you take the house and your spouse takes the 401(k), only one of you has retirement income. A pension isn't cash. Tax treatment turns "half" into 40% or 60% depending on which half you take.
Your lawyer knows the law. They don't know what you'll live on for the next 30 years.
Most people sign their settlement while still in emotional shock. The brain is in survival mode — the prefrontal cortex that makes rational decisions is literally offline. By the time the fog lifts, the settlement is final.
You need someone whose only job is protecting your financial future — not billable hours, not legal posturing. Someone who can show you exactly what different settlement scenarios mean for your life 5, 10, 25 years from now.
When you can't trust anyone else in this process, you can trust me.
The 5-step system that shows you what you'll actually live on, so you stop guessing and start knowing.
Calculate your real post-divorce income — including spousal support, assets, and earning potential — so you negotiate from facts, not fear.
Document gathering checklists tell you exactly what to bring to your attorney — so you walk in prepared, not panicked.
Map out your real expenses as a single person — before you fight for something you can't actually maintain.
The asset identification system helps you find accounts and property you might not even know exist.
22-page guide + video tutorials + checklists + templates
$97
Instant access. 100% money-back guarantee.
Get the Clarity You Need — $97Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) is home to thousands of military families. Military pension division in California requires understanding complex federal and state laws:
Key considerations:
For those new to military finances: Military pension division requires a specific court order format. Understanding what you're entitled to — and ensuring the order is drafted correctly — is critical.
Ventura County is home to Amgen's headquarters and several other biotech companies. Stock-based compensation creates unique divorce challenges:
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units): These vest over time (typically 4 years). In California community property law, RSUs earned during marriage are community property—even if they haven't vested yet.
Stock Options: The "time rule" applies to determine what portion is community property. Options granted during marriage but vesting after separation require careful calculation.
ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan): Shares purchased during marriage with discounts are community property.
Deferred Compensation: Executive deferred comp plans are often overlooked but can be worth hundreds of thousands.
From Malibu-adjacent areas to Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, Ventura County real estate has appreciated dramatically. Homes purchased 20-30 years ago for $300K-$500K are now worth $1M-$2M or more.
Key questions for gray divorce:
Ventura County's agricultural industry (strawberries, avocados, citrus) means some divorces involve farm operations, agricultural land, or related businesses. These require specialized valuation considering:
In Ventura County, we work with clients divorcing after 20, 30, or 40+ years of marriage. Here's what makes gray divorce financially complex in this region:
Many Ventura County families have one spouse with military service and another working in biotech, healthcare, or education. This creates multiple retirement systems to understand and divide:
Ventura County offers a desirable semi-retirement lifestyle—but it's expensive. For gray divorce clients:
Many of our Ventura County clients—particularly those who supported a military career with frequent moves—have never personally managed investment portfolios or navigated complex compensation packages.
You're not alone: We help you understand what you have, how it generates income (or expenses), and how to make informed decisions about your financial future.
As a Ventura County resident, your divorce follows California's strict community property laws:
However, "community property" doesn't mean simple. Tax implications, liquidity differences, and long-term growth potential make some assets worth more than others—even at the same dollar value.
California courts consider the "marital standard of living" when determining spousal support. For marriages of 10+ years (considered "long-term"), support may continue indefinitely—though the 2019 reforms emphasize eventual self-sufficiency.
For gray divorce, spousal support often bridges the gap between career earning years and Social Security/retirement income. Understanding how support integrates with your overall financial picture is essential.
California requires a 6-month waiting period from filing to finalizing divorce. During this time:
The financial decisions you make during this window affect the rest of your life. Understanding what you're agreeing to—and what alternatives exist—is critical.
Get the financial education you need to protect your share of Navy pensions, stock compensation, real estate, and retirement accounts.
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