Zen Divorce Solutions is the bridge between the two of you, providing support and analysis to allow you to confidently make informed decisions and move forward to the next chapter of your life.
Helping spouses amicably identify, evaluate, and equitably divide assets in a fair and respectful manner during divorce to achieve a peaceful financial separation.
Going through divorce is extremely challenging, even in the best situation. You will have a lot of questions, a lot of emotions, and you still have a full life to functionally get through every day. You could use some help and support.
“How do we separate our finances so it is fair for both of us?”
“Will this affect the lifestyle I’m accustomed to?”
Click any question above to learn how I can answer it for you.
Zen Divorce Solutions is here as your empathetic guide throughout the process.
Zen Divorce Solutions is Certified to service clients in every state.
1470 E. Valley Rd.
Montecito, CA 93108
I’ve been through what you’re going through.
My name is John Duffy. I am a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and financial planner. I help people through a very hard time by explaining possible financial outcomes and making clear projections. Knowing their likely financial future reduces anxiety and lets spouses make better decisions and be more present for their children when it matters most.
I went through my divorce in 2006. We had drifted apart and become logistical partners getting kids from place to place. My ex-wife is a family law attorney. I was the work-from-home parent and telecommuted while changing diapers. We had an amicable separation, but there were rough patches. The girls were 5 and 3, and the hardest part was telling them. I was intensely worried about how they would respond. I hated the idea of not seeing them every day. Co-parenting was challenging for years, but we slogged through. It was a long dark tunnel, but we are all out of it and enjoying the light. Zen’s goal is to support and guide you through your own personal journey and be the bridge to help you get to the other side.
I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management and began working in tech in Silicon Valley. I moved to Santa Barbara in 1999 to start a family and begin my career in finance. I am happily re-married to my wife, Star, and together we added a son and daughter to our blended family.
Towards the end of 2025 and into this year, 2026, I have found an enjoyment of running for the first time in my life. I grew up playing soccer, so I ran, but I never had an interest in running for the sake of running. That has now changed, and I have purchased a running belt (I can’t bring myself to say fanny-pack but that’s essentially what it is), and am running a 2.7-mile trail near my home a few times a week. I love tracking my biometrics with my Oura ring and apparently mention that too frequently to my family. I continue my “alternative mediation” practice as an ice hockey official for the UCSB and adult league games. In addition to growing my private practice of Zen Divorce Solutions, I am contracted with Hello Divorce working with clients in every state, as well as a new partnership with Solagree. I am the President Elect for Collaborative Practice of California, as well as the Treasurer of Hospice of Santa Barbara. I formerly served as board president of Pacific Pride Foundation, Santa Barbara’s LGBTQ+ non-profit, and am a former board member of Casa del Herrero,
What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®?
The role of the CDFA® professional is to help both the clients and attorney or mediator understand how the financial decisions made today will impact the client’s financial future. A CDFA® professional must have years of experience in a financial planning, accounting or legal background and goes through an intensive training program to become skilled in analyzing and providing expertise related to the financial issues of divorce.
Zen Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I want to convey my heartfelt appreciation for your dedication, hard work, and patience throughout the process of dividing our assets. Your fair approach to fees and the overall duration of the proceedings has significantly eased the burden, particularly during this emotionally taxing period. I am truly grateful for your skillful guidance in navigating the financial complexities of our divorce, as well as your consistent display of reason, fairness and understanding. It’s worth saying again, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ John entered my life during the most turbulent time and helped me walk through my divorce with grace and dignity. After a surprising end to our relationship, my husband and I needed someone to help us split our assets in a way that we both felt was fair. Although we both had something similar in mind, it was different enough that we both considered getting lawyers quite a few times. We were quoted retainers of $10,000+ by a handful of lawyers and told we would surely go through that quickly. John came in and worked with us calmly and with neutrality. He was quick to respond and patient while we processed everything. His holistic approach was unlike anyone else I had spoken with. He was honest and empathetic but clear with realistic expectations. What we spent on John’s services, saved us many thousands of dollars and invaluable time. I wish this experience on no one, but if you are going through it and you don’t know where to start, I cannot recommend Zen Divorce Solutions enough. Thank you John for helping me navigate this divorce and easing my transition into being a financially independent woman for the first time in my entire adult life.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ John is absolutely incredible to work with! He is extremely competent with numbers, ethically moral, fair, and one of the kindest, most patient people I have ever met! I am beyond grateful and appreciative of the financial accounting and analysis work that he has done for me, as well as the kindness and understanding that he has shown me throughout this difficult processes of divorce. I am 100% confident in saying that I would not have been able to get through this process without his expertise!
John Duffy is an outstanding professional who understands the unique challenges of the financial issues related to the divorce process. He is extremely responsive, reliable and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him without reservation.
John provided financial analysis during my divorce, to help in the mediation process. In gathering data, I found John to be thoughtful, thorough and evenhanded. In his analysis, John provided detailed breakdowns of different scenarios, along with their short and long-term financial impacts. Communication with John was always clear, and his replies to questions were timely. Finally, John has a kind and calm disposition that is most helpful when dealing with potentially contentious topics. Highly recommended!
Insightful and compassionate assistance at a painful point in your life! John was so helpful to me in the early stages of my divorce (and I hope to avail myself of his services again once I get to the later stages). I got the most from my conversation with him about my situation and options; the timing was such that the financial worksheets he provides weren't as useful but that's what he charges for and I would have paid three times over for his advice. I needed both John's knowledge and matter-of-fact non-judgmental delivery. Thanks again John!
I met John as a CDFA advisor and he was instrumental in helping me become aware of the different financial scenarios I can create by the decisions and choices I make today. Choosing the right team of mediators and FAs to help you during this most difficult transition in life is crucial. I am thankful for John’s clear and expert advice and for his timely responses during this process. 5 stars!
John is a solid resource for divorcing clients and other professionals assisting them. He is highly skilled at listening to clients, making sure they feel understood and helping them to gain a better understanding of their financial future, both short-term and long-term, providing different scenarios for them to consider and an informed place to negotiate from. He is a thoughtful and compassionate practitioner who cares about the client's well-being and strives to make them feel supported through a very difficult life transition. I also consider John a friend who goes out of his way to support his colleagues, and is a joy to work with!
What John offers couples in process of Divorce is the chance to negotiate the settlement in a way that serves both parties. John is knowledgeable about what people need to understand that in Divorce Mathematics, 50% of $100 is not always $50, but that it is the value of the asset to the individual that makes the difference.
