As the year winds down, financial decisions can feel especially important during a divorce or other major life transition. You may be sorting through shared accounts, planning for a new household budget, or trying to understand how the timing of your divorce affects taxes and benefits.

Retirement accounts are often among the largest assets divided during a divorce. They can also be some of the most complicated. Unlike money in a checking or savings account, retirement funds may be subject to taxes, plan rules and specific legal requirements that affect how and when they can be divided.

For many couples, the family home is both their largest financial asset and the place most closely tied to their shared life. Deciding what happens to it during divorce can therefore feel overwhelming. One spouse may want to preserve stability for the children, while the other may need access to the equity. Both may be concerned about housing costs, mortgage rates, taxes, or the disruption of moving.