Are you thinking about becoming a CDLP®? In these testimonials, mortgage professionals from around the United States share how joining our organization and earning their CDLP® credential helped them advance their careers.

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  • My Certified Divorce Lending Professional certificate has truly been a game changer for me and I have taken it to the next level in last year and a half with the opening of My Divorce Mortgage Planning, a fee based business. I initially did the certification in 2017 because a mediator said she would work with me if I would obtain my CDLP. I didn’t even know what it was at the time or what I was signing up for. I flew to AZ for the 2 day course, thinking that I would likely just work the whole time because I had been a lender for over 15 years at that point and this would be an easy and quick cert to get! I have to say, within 30 minutes of the in-person class with Jody Bruns at the helm, I closed my laptop and listened intently because I realized in that moment that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Jody is a wealth of knowledge and 7 years later, she, along with her team, are more supportive than ever with the coaching and the array marketing tools provided. I love and appreciate the community and the group support that we have with the Divorce Lending Association. Whether you are looking to get your CDLP just to have a better understanding of the divorce lending world or if you are looking to shift your business and niche down, you cannot go wrong. This is by far the most rewarding and valuable mortgage education I have done since entering the mortgage business over 26 years ago!
  • My friendly advice to any Mortgage Loan Originator interested in pursuing the divorce lending specialization is to seek proper training BEFORE approaching Divorce Attorneys for partnerships. I have personally completed 4 different divorce related mortgage & real estate curriculums and credentials. In my humble opinion, the Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) program facilitated through the Divorce Lending Association (DLA) is by far the most thorough and comprehensive divorce education available for mortgage originators. Not only does the training cover the “book smarts” (agency guidelines and nuances pertaining to divorce, etc.), but also the “street smarts” (how to, and how not to approach Divorce Attorneys, etc.). The President/Founder of the DLA (Jody Bruns) is not one of those “behind the podium instructors”. Her 30+ years of originating divorce mortgage loans shines throughout the CDLP Certification curriculum, as well as ongoing continuing education lessons. The DLA also has a marketing program that allows CDLP’s to disseminate marketing materials & spreadsheets to Divorce Attorneys, Real Estate & Financial Professionals, as well as Divorcing Homeowners. Bottom line, if you’re going to pursue divorce lending…get certified. If you’re going to get certified…pursue your CDLP credential with the DLA.
  • The DLA has literally changed the trajectory of both my professional and my personal life, and I can say unequivocally that earning the CDLP® designation is the “gold standard" in Divorce Mortgage Planning. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I did complete a training in another divorce mortgage program taught by an academic instructor previous to earning my CDLP®. The difference between the two programs was mind blowing. The DLA program is taught by a mortgage professional who has closed over 4,000 divorce loans in her career, which means that you are taught by a practitioner, not a theorist whose training is based on anecdotal information. Further, the training doesn’t conclude when you earn your designation at the DLA, unlike the other organization. The coaching program is fantastic and highly recommended to hone your skills and increase your knowledge in the family law space. Anytime I have a scenario or recommendations on necessary language for marital settlement agreements, the DLA is very responsive and provides great advice. Look no further than the DLA to become a Divorce Mortgage Planner!
  • I am so grateful that I was introduced to the DLA last December. Obtaining my CDLP®️ has been the perfect “marriage” of my Mortgage career and Masters in Psychology. Gaining this knowledge about divorce mortgage planning has truly differentiated me from other Loan Officers and have given me a platform to truly help and empower my clients and to bring something of value to my referral partners. The best way I can think to describe what I have to offer now, sets me above and beyond a typical LO and I am using my experience in working with people to be back helping again! Having the support of the DLA has also been amazing! I love learning and growing and again I am so grateful to be part of the DLA! Want to say a special thank you to Lynda who is always available to help me. Thank you, thank you for creating this association and for all of your amazing knowledge that you share Miss Jody!
  • I am so glad I chose to become a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) and feel it was a very smart choice towards a successful, stable, and fulfilling mortgage related career. Yes, it entails a significant investment of money and time, but so does obtaining your Masters or any career advancement strategy. The Divorce Lending Association® provides incredible support, extensive and on-going training, great marketing tools and more. I feel as though I have a family in the DLA® and fellow CDLP®s! The mortgage industry is very competitive, and the CDLP® certification allows you to specialize in a specific area - divorce settlements. In addition, you are paying it forward – sharing your knowledge to help others avoid costly mistakes related to real estate. The response you receive when you say you are a Divorce Mortgage Planner is quite different than when you say you are a Mortgage Lender! 😊
  • I just did my first presentation to a group of family law professionals and within 12 hours I have 2 attorney meetings, 1 CDFA meeting, 1 invitation to lunch with a CDFA and his 'preferred professionals.' So excited!
    Stacey Ellison, CDLP®
  • The in-depth knowledge provided and assistance in helping to market yourself really makes the CDLP® program stand out from other options. I did not know what to initially expect. That being said, I thought the hours were longer than what was needed until we actually got into all the material. It was a lot of time, but absolutely necessary for all of the content provided. Worthwhile! (10 out of 10)
    Jeremy Weeks
  • The one word to describe my experience is "Eye-Opening". I really loved the knowledge that I learned and how to set ourselves apart from others in the business and to focus on helping the divorcing group. The class scared me to death. It was some really great and useful information and I appreciated the fact that you looked for an alternative to us having to chase clients and realtors for every transaction that we do. I thought it was really hard the first day and then I decided to buckle-up buttercup and put my big girl pants on to make it through. (10 out of 10 Rating)
    Jane Fisher
  • The one word to describe my experience is "enlightening!" I feel after 35 years in our industry, I have found another way to love what we do. Problem solving coupled with our abilities to communicate clearly and make a difference. Divorce is not fun....generally speaking. Being able to assist with the Divorce Team, early on in the process so to create better remedies and "after divorce," peace for divorcing spouses is needed. Family Law Attorney, Financial Planners, Mediators, Divorce Coaches and the divorcing spouses will certainly benefit from a good CDLP. This course certainly exceeded my expectations. I cannot really speak to exactly what my initial expectations were, however this course itself, the areas that we covered, and Jody's extensive explanations and examples kept me engaged and interested. I actually used the word "riveting," at one point.! LOL! (10 out of 10)
    Debbie Mishko
  • The one word to describe my experience is 'thorough.' From the class to the follow-up after. The whole experience has been a welcome change from the surface level courses I had taken regarding other lending specialities. (9 out of 10)
    Zachary Saunders