Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) Certification for Mortgage Professionals

The CDLP® Business Model: Beyond Transactions

As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional, you have two powerful ways to serve and succeed:

• Traditional Origination: Continue offering expert mortgage solutions to divorcing homeowners, earning commission at closing.

• Hybrid Business Model: Combine origination with fee-based consulting—positioning yourself earlier in the process, increasing your value, and expanding your income.

What Is the CDLP® Hybrid Business Model?

This proprietary model—developed in consultation with industry-leading compliance attorneys—allows you to operate as a mortgage professional and an independent divorce finance strategist.

It’s more than compliant. It’s proven.

With the Hybrid Model, you can:

• Get paid for your expertise up front—not just after a loan closes

• Offer consulting services to attorneys, mediators, and financial professionals

• Diversify income beyond volatile closing pipelines

• Serve both clients and professionals with deeper, more strategic impact

This platform is exclusive to CDLP® Gold and Platinum members.

The Value of Strategy Over Sales

Loan officers sell rates and terms. CDLP®s solve problems—and that starts long before a loan file is created.

With the Hybrid Model, you:

• Build authority early in the divorce process

• Become the go-to advisor among legal and financial professionals

• Offer deliverables that guide property division and mortgage planning

• Create a recession-resistant business rooted in trust, expertise, and results

Tools That Build Real Businesses

The Hybrid Model isn’t just an idea—it’s a fully supported platform that includes:

• Strategic consulting frameworks and engagement agreements

• Deliverables designed for attorneys and mediators

• A referral development system tailored to the divorce industry

• Ongoing coaching and compliance support from the Divorce Lending Association

Designed for Long-Term Growth and Credibility

CDLP®s using the Hybrid Model often experience:

• Higher-quality referrals from legal professionals

• More stable and diversified income

• Faster credibility as subject matter experts

• Clear differentiation in a saturated mortgage market

Start Earning What Your Expertise Is Worth

You didn’t get into this business to wait on closings—you came to make a difference.

The CDLP® Hybrid Business Model gives you the structure, tools, and support to build a business that reflects the true value of your knowledge.

If you're ready to go beyond loan origination and become the strategist attorneys trust, this is your next step.

Curious how it works? Get the CDLP® Guide Now

Why Choose the CDLP® Certification?

If you’re ready to lead, not just lend, this is your next move.

The Certified Divorce Lending Professional® (CDLP®) certification isn’t just a mortgage course. It’s a strategic platform built for professionals who want to serve divorcing homeowners with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Created by mortgage industry expert Jody Bruns, the CDLP® program equips you with the knowledge and tools to work at the intersection of divorce, real estate, and mortgage planning—where few are qualified, but many are needed.

What Makes CDLP® Different

Unlike general mortgage training, CDLP® goes far beyond guidelines and rates. You’ll learn how to:

• Navigate the legal, financial, and tax dynamics of divorce

• Structure mortgage solutions aligned with settlement terms

• Address equity buyouts, income complexities, and property division

• Support attorneys, financial professionals, and mediators with strategic clarity

This is applied, real-world training that positions you as a problem-solver, not a product pusher.

Trusted by the Professionals Who Matter Most

CDLP®s are recognized as neutral experts who:

• Deliver strategic clarity in high-stakes situations.

• Build trust with legal and financial professionals.

• Receive quality referrals based on results, not rates.

• Establish a respected niche in a growing market.

Certification That Comes with a Platform

When you become a CDLP®, you gain access to:

• A nationwide network of like-minded professionals

• Templates, tools, and case strategies you can use immediately

• Ongoing education and group coaching

• Business development guidance and marketing support

Make the Shift from Loan Officer to Divorce Strategy Expert

Divorcing clients don’t need another “divorce-friendly lender.”
They need a trained CDLP® who understands the whole financial picture—and how to navigate it effectively.

Start your certification today and build a business that’s strategic, respected, and recession-resistant.

What You Will Learn with CDLP® Certification

The CDLP® Certification is not surface-level training. It’s an advanced, multidisciplinary education that prepares you to serve divorcing clients with strategic insight, legal fluency, and financial clarity.

You’ll gain the tools, language, and structure to collaborate confidently with attorneys, mediators, and financial advisors while guiding your clients through one of the most complex financial transitions of their lives.

Core Areas of Training

1. Divorce & Mortgage Planning Fundamentals

This foundational module explores divorce not as a purely emotional process, but as a legal and financial transaction. CDLP® candidates will examine the divorce timeline, methods of dissolution (litigation, mediation, collaboration), and how each impacts real property decisions. The course introduces the concept of treating divorce like a business where strategic timing, financial positioning, and documentation matter.

We also explore conflict resolution styles, communication across high-stakes dynamics, and the professional posture required to serve as a neutral expert witness or consultant within divorce proceedings. This module positions the CDLP® as a credible and informed advocate within the broader divorce team.

2. Legal Insights That Matter

In this module, you’ll develop a critical understanding of how divorce and real property law intersect with mortgage planning. You’ll gain the working knowledge needed to interpret court orders, settlement agreements, and title implications that directly impact your ability to structure financing solutions.

This module equips you to identify legal constraints early, address issues related to property ownership and title vesting, and communicate effectively with attorneys using accurate legal terminology. The focus isn’t just on lending guidelines; it’s on integrating your role into the legal framework of the divorce process.

This module empowers you to provide strategic, legally aligned guidance when real property is part of the marital estate, ensuring your mortgage solutions are both feasible and enforceable.

3. Financial & Tax Considerations

This module moves beyond theory and into real-world application. You’ll learn how to evaluate spousal and child support, retirement accounts, and property transfers through the dual lens of mortgage underwriting and tax implications, skills critical for building realistic, strategic solutions during and after divorce.

We explore the often-overlooked financial ripple effects of divorce, including how it impacts the deductibility of mortgage interest and how to assess the true after-tax cost of funds. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the mortgage planning implications tied to dividing retirement accounts through Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), and how IRS codes and title transfer nuances can influence the overall financing strategy.

The module also examines the treatment of support income, such as alimony and child support, under mortgage lending guidelines, and how this differs from general cash flow evaluation in financial planning. Special attention is given to income from trusts and passive sources, which are frequently misunderstood when used for mortgage qualification during divorce.

Finally, you’ll analyze the real property tax consequences of divorce, including potential reassessment issues, capital gains considerations, and common tax traps that can derail otherwise sound settlements. This module ensures you can identify and navigate these complexities before they become costly problems for your clients.

4. Advanced Mortgage Strategies for Divorce

This capstone module integrates all components of divorce mortgage planning into a comprehensive strategy. You’ll learn how to effectively structure real-world solutions such as equity buyouts, QDRO-related distributions, income reclassification, and the untangling of complex ownership rights. These are not theoretical exercises; they are actionable strategies that protect both parties and support the intent of the divorce settlement.

The module explores how to assess and implement key disposition options, including refinancing, equity buyouts, loan assumptions, or property sales. You’ll also gain a working understanding of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), and how factors such as marital status, joint liability, and independent creditworthiness influence mortgage eligibility and loan approval outcomes.

Additionally, this module offers practical guidance on restructuring income sources to meet underwriting requirements, distributing marital debt equitably, and ensuring that all proposed mortgage solutions align with the legal settlement agreement. You’ll examine special considerations for FHA and VA loans, and delve into the unique planning needs of divorcing seniors, particularly regarding reverse mortgages, aging in place, and long-term home equity preservation.

The module concludes with in-depth training on the Divorce Mortgage Planning and Real Property Report™, a proprietary tool used to map case-specific housing and mortgage outcomes. You’ll learn how to leverage this report to provide clarity, strategic insight, and collaborative value to the divorce team, including attorneys, mediators, and clients.

5. Client Communication & Negotiation
Improve your ability to explain complex financial scenarios in clear, emotionally intelligent ways. You’ll learn how to guide high-conflict situations with compassion, authority, and neutrality, supporting informed decisions without escalating tensions.

6. Ethical & Professional Standards
As a CDLP®, you’re a neutral third-party expert, not a salesperson. Learn how to maintain ethical boundaries, uphold professionalism, and preserve the integrity of both the legal and financial process while still advocating for clarity.

7. Marketing & Business Development
Specialization doesn’t matter if no one knows what you do. We teach you how to position yourself in the legal and financial communities, build high-trust referral pipelines, and offer continuing education to family law professionals who need what you know.

8. Case Studies & Real-World Applications
Your training culminates with real divorce scenarios, case mapping exercises, and strategic implementation. This is where theory meets execution—so you’re prepared to deliver value the moment you're certified.

Choose Your Learning Path | Self-Paced or FastTrack Cohort

Learn Your Way

Choose the path that fits your schedule and learning style:

• Self-Paced eLearning – Learn at your own speed with on-demand video modules and assessments

• FastTrack Cohort – A one-week, guided program combining online study with live expert-led sessions

• Live Virtual – Immersive, instructor-led training with live case studies and peer interaction

Each path includes full access to the CDLP® curriculum, certification exam, and ongoing support.

Option One: Self-Paced eLearning

Learn on your own time, at your own pace.

• Includes 24 expert-led video modules, a student workbook, and assessments

• Final exam: 100-question online multiple-choice exam

• Average time to complete: 20 hours

• Full access to email, chat, and phone support throughout your training

Perfect for busy professionals who want flexibility and independence.

Option Two: FastTrack Cohort Program

Accelerate Your Certification with Expert-Guided Instruction—In Just One Week.

What You’ll Get Inside the FastTrack Cohort:

✅ Live Weekly Sessions with Real-Time Application
You won’t just learn, you’ll implement. Each session includes interactive case examples, discussion, and Q&A to bring the CDLP® curriculum to life.

✅ Peer Cohort for Support & Accountability
You’ll move through the course alongside a small group of like-minded mortgage professionals, all focused on mastering the legal-financial intersection of divorce.

✅ Accelerated Results—Without Skipping Strategy
This is not a shortcut. It’s a strategic sprint with the support you need to finish strong, show up confidently, and build the attorney-facing business you’ve been envisioning.

• Combines self-paced video modules with live expert-led Zoom sessions

• Dive into real-world scenarios with practical application and group discussion

• Focuses on advanced topics like family law, tax planning, and real estate strategy

• Live Weekly Sessions with Real-Time Application

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM ET

• Must complete the corresponding online modules before attending live sessions

  • Modules 1-3 by Monday
  • Modules 4-5 by Wednesday
  • Module 6 by Friday
  • Note: You can complete all modules in advance if you want!

• Business-building strategies included

• Access to the CDLP® Certification Exam after the final session

Ideal if you want structure and live engagement without a long time commitment.

What Happens After Certification?

Your CDLP® Certification is just the beginning. You’ll gain access to our exclusive business development platform and group coaching designed to help you implement what you’ve learned and start building your divorce mortgage planning practice.

Want to go further?

Depending on how you want to scale your business, you can upgrade to a higher level of coaching and marketing support, providing access to even more advanced tools, a personalized strategy, and increased visibility in the divorce space.

Important Reminder: The proprietary CDLP® Hybrid Business Model is only available to Gold and Platinum Members.

(See the chart below for a full comparison of membership levels.)