ABOUT POPE FINANCIAL

After a twelve year career in the pharmaceutical industry, I left to follow my passion of helping people with their financial lives. While this was a very difficult decision to leave a secure career and start a full service, comprehensive financial planning firm, there were several experiences that led me to this path.

First, I would like to tell you a little about myself. I am the proud husband to my wife Misty and our two sons, Brady, age 4 and Riley, age 1 ½. While traveling for my former job, I stumbled across a book by an author named Dave Ramsey called "The Total Money Makeover". It completely changed my thinking about my family's finances. Misty and I had been married for three years at the time and our goals were to upgrade our house and begin to raise a family. We were normal Americans and had two car payments, student loans, a credit card and a home equity line of credit. After four years, we paid off $130K in debt and are now debt free except for the mortgage, freeing us to pursue these goals.

This experience led me to become certified as the Dave Ramsey Certified Counselor in the St. Petersburg, Bradenton and Sarasota areas. Since 2008, I have helped clients with their money fights, avoid bankruptcy, pay off debt, craft a budget and build wealth.

Over the years, and increasing number of recently divorced women began to come to me for advice. There were three main themes that continued to repeatedly present themselves:

During this emotional time, many accepted the financial settlement presented by their spouse at the time of their divorce. What seemed fair on paper then had left them in a dire financial situation years later.
The husband had been the financial keeper of the household and they were not taught the tools to transition to the reality of their new worlds. Going from two to one income, they needed help to manage the household on their own.
Women were often taken advantage of by "financial advisers" who preyed upon them after the settlement. Only focused on acquiring their assets, they did not focus on what was best for their new lives and goals. Many were sold inappropriate products (insurance, annuities, risky limited partnerships) that were not in their best interests, but paid the broker a terrific commission.

Many women clearly needed help to avoid these pitfalls. There had to be a better way. This is the reason for the foundation of Pope Financial. If you are going through a divorce, let us partner with your attorney to achieve an equitable settlement. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ (CDFA™), we have the tools and training to help you receive your fair share during mediation or at trial. We can also help work with both parties if the divorce is amicable (collaborative divorce) and project fair and agreeable settlement options. Beginning a new life post divorce is a scary proposition on your own. Let us walk with you every step of the way, before, during and after this extremely difficult time.

Brian Pope, MBA, CDFA™
Master of Business Administration, University of Georgia
Bachelor of Science in Finance, University of Florida
Graduate, Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts
Member FINRA / SIPC