Certified Divorce Specialist - CDS️ Program, Calgary, AB (2026)

04/21/2026

What actually shapes outcomes in divorce work is not always what is written in the agreement.

From our recent CDS® Canada Connect session, Jackie Santin shared a perspective that resonated across every discipline in the room.

The professionals who consistently create smoother, more effective outcomes are not just focused on legal or financial strategy, they are grounded in 3 core pillars:
Process
Awareness and Preparedness
Understanding how each stage unfolds and anticipating where breakdowns typically happen

Emotional Regulation
Knowing how to manage the intensity in the room so conversations stay productive and decisions stay clear

Organizational Discipline
Keeping communication, documentation, and timelines structured so nothing escalates unnecessarily

These are the factors that influence how clients move through decisions, how professionals collaborate, and ultimately how outcomes take shape.

Conversations like this are exactly what CDS® Canada Connect meetings are designed to bring forward. They are one of the many ways CDS® professionals continue to deepen their approach, stay aligned across disciplines, and strengthen how they support clients in real time.

If you want a clearer look at how this is applied in practice, you can start here.
Download the Free CDS® Program Booklet at www.thecdstraining.com

04/13/2026

In nearly every divorce matter you handle, there is a moment where communication shapes what happens next.

How expectations are set.
How decisions are made.
How professionals work together.
How smoothly the process moves forward.

And yet, most divorce professionals were never formally trained in communication specific to the realities of the divorce process.

You were trained in your discipline.
But not necessarily in how to navigate emotionally charged conversations, shifting dynamics, and complex professional collaboration, all at the same time.

This is one of the core focuses of the Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) Training.

This Spring, take advantage of $150 off the Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) Training.
Use code: CDS150SPRING
Register/Enroll now: https://thecdstraining.com/become-a-cds/
Discount valid until April 16, 11:59 PM.

In addition to the foundational knowledge essential to understanding the divorce process, the CDS® Training also teaches structured communication strategies designed specifically for professionals working in the divorce space.

Because when communication improves:
• You spend less time managing misunderstandings
• You create clearer expectations from the beginning
• You collaborate more effectively with other professionals
• You move matters forward more efficiently

This is not about becoming a different kind of professional.
It is about strengthening how you already work.

The divorce professionals who stand out are often the ones who communicate more clearly, manage expectations earlier, and navigate complex dynamics more effectively.

Save $150 off the Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) Training with code CDS150SPRING, discount runs until April 16, 11:59 PM.

If you want to strengthen one skill that impacts nearly every part of your work, this is it.

Become a CDS® now: https://thecdstraining.com/become-a-cds/

04/10/2026

We are excited to announce that Andrea Klein will serve as Director of Education and Business Development at CDS® Canada.

With over 20 years of experience within family law firms, including serving as COO of a high-volume practice, Andrea brings a deep understanding of what truly shapes a firm’s reputation. Not just legal outcomes, but also how clients are communicated with throughout the process.

Andrea’s experience spans operations, client service, and team leadership. She has also taught in Humber College’s Law Clerk Program and mentored legal professionals at all levels. Through her work, she has consistently seen that the firms that stand out are those that build clear, consistent, human-centered communication into everything they do.

In her role with CDS® Canada, Andrea will focus on helping firms implement structured communication systems that improve client experience, strengthen internal alignment, reduce inefficiencies, and support long-term growth and reputation.

We look forward to the positive impact Andrea will bring to firms and professionals across Canada.

To explore the CDS®️ Professional Development Program for your firm, please contact Andrea at andrea@thecdstraining.com

04/08/2026

Divorce professionals rarely struggle with knowledge.

They struggle with the moments knowledge alone does not solve.

When a client shuts down mid conversation.
When emotions escalate and progress stalls.
When professionals across disciplines unintentionally work against each other.
When expectations were never clearly aligned from the beginning.

These are the moments that shape outcomes, timelines, and overall professional experience.

Yet most divorce professionals were never formally trained for them.

The Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) Training was built specifically to address these gaps.

Combining practical communication strategies with interdisciplinary insight, focused on how divorce professionals actually work with clients and with each other.

The CDS® Training is a 16 hour professional training designed for legal, financial, mental health, and real estate professionals working in the divorce space.

Inside the training, you will learn:

• Advanced communication strategies tailored specifically for divorce professionals
• How to navigate emotionally charged conversations more effectively
• How to improve interdisciplinary collaboration
• How to reduce misunderstandings that slow down progress
• How to create a more structured and supportive professional experience

It is designed for professionals already working in divorce who want to strengthen how they operate within the process.

Register here:
https://thecdstraining.com/become-a-cds/

This Spring, we are offering $150 off the CDS® Training for a limited time.

Use code: CDS150SPRING

The professionals who stand out in the divorce space are not just knowledgeable.

They know how to manage difficult conversations.
They know how to work across disciplines.
They know how to guide clients through uncertainty.

The CDS® Training was designed to help you build those skills.

Because the work you do is complex.
You deserve training designed specifically for it.

Register now:
https://thecdstraining.com/become-a-cds/

InterdisciplinaryCollaboration ProfessionalDevelopment

04/08/2026

Divorce professionals rarely struggle with knowledge.

They struggle with the moments knowledge alone does not solve.

When a client shuts down mid conversation.
When emotions escalate and progress stalls.
When professionals across disciplines unintentionally work against each other.
When expectations were never clearly aligned from the beginning.

These are the moments that shape outcomes, timelines, and overall professional experience.

Yet most divorce professionals were never formally trained for them.

The Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) Training was built specifically to address these gaps.

Combining practical communication strategies with interdisciplinary insight, focused on how divorce professionals actually work with clients and with each other.

The CDS® Training is a 16 hour professional training designed for legal, financial, mental health, and real estate professionals working in the divorce space.

Inside the training, you will learn:

• Advanced communication strategies tailored specifically for divorce professionals
• How to navigate emotionally charged conversations more effectively
• How to improve interdisciplinary collaboration
• How to reduce misunderstandings that slow down progress
• How to create a more structured and supportive professional experience

It is designed for professionals already working in divorce who want to strengthen how they operate within the process.

Register here:
https://thecdstraining.com/become-a-cds/

This Spring, we are offering $150 off the CDS® Training for a limited time.

Use code: CDS150SPRING

The professionals who stand out in the divorce space are not just knowledgeable.

They know how to manage difficult conversations.
They know how to work across disciplines.
They know how to guide clients through uncertainty.

The CDS® Training was designed to help you build those skills.

Because the work you do is complex.
You deserve training designed specifically for it.

Register now:
https://thecdstraining.com/become-a-cds/

04/01/2026

To those celebrating Passover, we wish you and your loved ones peace, happiness, and renewal this season. May your days be filled with meaning, tradition, and the sweetness of new beginnings.

Wishing you a joyful and memorable holiday.
Chag Sameach. ✨

03/24/2026

Divorce clients are no longer walking into your office unprepared. They’re walking in with AI generated strategies, assumptions, and expectations.

AI is changing how divorce professionals work, and it is happening quickly.

Clients are now:
• Researching options before consultations
• Drafting proposals and questions
• Learning terminology in advance
• Exploring financial and custody scenarios

This changes the role of the divorce professional.
The value is no longer just providing information.

The value is now in:
• Identifying risks
• Refining strategy
• Asking better questions
• Managing emotional dynamics
• Connecting legal, financial, mental health, and real estate factors

Professionals who adapt to this shift will stand out.
Those who don’t may find consultations becoming more challenging and less effective.

This is exactly where the Certified Divorce Specialist® Training helps.

The CDS® Training focuses on:
• Communicating with informed or misinformed clients
• Asking strategic questions
• Managing emotional and cognitive overload
• Guiding clients through decisions
• Thinking across disciplines

As AI increases access to information, your expertise becomes even more valuable.

Learn more about becoming a Certified Divorce Specialist® or download the Free CDS® Training Booklet at:
www.TheCDSTraining.com

03/13/2026

A divorce agreement may appear complete, yet still contain language that makes financing impossible.

This happens more often than many professionals realize.

Mortgage requirements, underwriting rules, and settlement terms do not always align. When they conflict, the result can be serious financial consequences for the client and frustration for every professional involved.

That is why this month’s NADP Member Meeting focuses on a critical but often overlooked area of divorce work.

Protecting Divorce Settlements: Mortgage Risk and Fraud Prevention for Professionals
March 17 | 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST
REGISTER NOW: https://thenadp.com/event/monthly-member-meeting-mar2026/

During this session, you will gain insight into how mortgage fraud risks and financing barriers arise during divorce negotiations, and how professionals can identify potential problems before settlement terms are finalized.

You will learn:
• How mortgage guidelines interact with divorce settlement language
• Where professionals unknowingly create unfinanceable agreements
• How misrepresentation can occur during high pressure negotiations
• Strategies that help protect housing outcomes for divorcing clients

This presentation has also been approved for continuing education credit:

• 1 General CLE Credit
• 1 Marital and Family Law Certification Credit
• 1 Real Estate Law Certificate Credit

FL Bar CLE approved exclusively for NADP members. Reciprocity may be available in your state—be sure to verify requirements.

If your work intersects with divorce settlements and real estate, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.

03/09/2026

Meet CDS® Clint Kuipers!

Clint Kuipers has spent more than 23 years helping people navigate some of the most consequential decisions of their lives. Based in the Twin Cities north metro, he has guided clients through more than 500 closed transactions -- many of them involving circumstances far more complicated than a straightforward sale.

Divorce is one of those circumstances. When a home is tied to an ending marriage, the transaction isn't just logistical; it's emotional, legal, and deeply personal, often all at once. Clint's work as a Certified Divorce Specialist builds on his broader background in complex real estate transitions, where he's spent years learning that the right agent isn't just someone who knows the market. It's someone who understands what's actually at stake for the people involved.

Before earning the CDS® designation, Clint completed training as a certified life coach -- a credential that quietly shapes how he works with every client. He asks different questions. He slows down when others speed up. And he's learned to recognize the difference between what a client says they need and what will actually serve them.

His office is in Blaine, MN, he lives in the north metro, and he helps clients throughout the Twin Cities, focusing on the northern suburbs.

03/09/2026

Meet CDS® Bob Adelfson!

Bob is a Realtor® specializing in divorce real estate. His expertise lies in guiding clients through the complexities of property division during divorce, ensuring a smooth transition. Bob is a Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®), a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist in Divorce (RCS-D™), and a Certified Residential Real Estate Divorce Specialist. Bob is also trained in mediation by the Arizona Attorney General’s office. Bob is known for his compassionate approach, making him a trusted advisor for many in Arizona. His commitment to his clients is reflected in his personalized service and deep understanding of the legal and emotional aspects of divorce.

03/09/2026

Meet CDS® Mataya Reid!

Mataya is a dedicated mortgage and insurance broker committed to helping clients build, protect, and sustain their financial well-being. Her mission is to guide individuals and families toward smart financial decisions that support long term wealth, retirement security, and overall peace of mind.

She also specializes in supporting clients through divorce, one of life’s most emotionally and financially challenging transitions. This work requires specialized training, thoughtful strategy, and steady guidance during an uncertain time. Mataya focuses on aligning every financial decision with her clients’ immediate needs while keeping their long term financial vision in clear focus.

02/14/2026

In the divorce space, there are professionals who do competent work.
Then there are professionals who are perceived as indispensable.

The difference is rarely effort. It is perspective, language, and strategic awareness across disciplines.

When you understand how legal strategy influences financial outcomes, how financial structuring affects real estate timing, and how emotional dynamics impact negotiations, your confidence shifts. Your conversations become sharper. Your recommendations carry more weight.

That shift is not about your clients.
It is about you.

It is about walking into professional rooms with a broader command of the full divorce landscape.
It is about being the person other professionals trust to collaborate with.
It is about building authority that compounds over time.

BECOME A CDS®: https://thecdstraining.com/

The Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) training was built for professionals who want that level of positioning.

For Valentine’s Day, we are offering $200 off enrollment.
Use code CDSVALENTINES200 at checkout.

This offer is active until tomorrow only, February 15.

If strengthening how you show up professionally has been on your mind, this is a smart moment to act.

REGISTER NOW: https://thecdstraining.com/

Certified Divorce Specialist - CDS️ Program

04/21/2026

04/13/2026

04/10/2026

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

04/01/2026

03/24/2026

03/13/2026

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

02/14/2026

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