Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) Certification

Own the Divorce Market. Secure Your Future.

Leverage specialized knowledge to build a steady stream of opportunities. Become the trusted mortgage partner for family law attorneys and financial professionals.

Why Mortgage Professionals Choose CDLP®

Divorce mortgage planning isn’t just about knowing guidelines; it’s about business strategy. In a housing market where 1.4 million households face divorce annually, general knowledge isn't enough.

The CDLP® Certification equips you with the credentials, competence, and confidence to build durable partnerships with the legal community.

Untapped Market Access: Target the 35% of the real estate market driven by divorce.
Consistent Demand: Divorce mortgage planning remains essential no matter how the market shifts.
High-Trust Referrals: Move beyond rate-shoppers to clients referred by their attorneys.
Strategic Authority: Stop being a vendor; start being a vital member of the divorce team.

Trusted by Attorneys | Legal-Aligned Strategies | Ongoing Business Development

Turn specialized divorce mortgage knowledge into positioning and partnerships while building a referable, divorce-focused practice that goes far beyond loan origination.

More Than a Designation: The Hybrid Business Model

Most loan officers wait for a settlement to be signed before they see a file. By then, it’s often too late to fix mortgage mistakes.

As a CDLP®, you utilize our Hybrid Business Model to engage early. You offer strategic divorce consulting before the loan application even starts.

Get Paid for Your Expertise: Implement fee-based consulting for divorce mortgage planning (available with CORE membership).
Solve, Don't Sell: Help attorneys structure equity buyouts and support payments that actually qualify for financing.
Secure the Loan: By designing the mortgage strategy, you naturally become the originator for the refinance or purchase.

"CDLP® changed my practice. 6 attorneys now call me regularly. It's the gold standard in the industry."
— Carol Zink-Mailloux, CDLP® - New Hampshire

Choose Your Path to Certification

We offer two convenient ways to earn your credentials. Both paths provide the same certification and access to our proprietary business tools.

Option 1: Self-Paced eLearning

Perfect for the busy professional who needs flexibility.

Format: 24 On-demand video modules.
Pace: Learn on your own schedule (Avg. 20 hours).
Access: Full email and phone support.

Option 2: FastTrack Live Virtual Training

Best for those who want an immersive, interactive experience.

Format: 3-day intensive hybrid program (Zoom + eLearning).
Interaction: Live Q&A, case studies, and real-time coaching with Jody Bruns.
Timeline: Get certified in just one week.

Select Your Learning Path and Register

CDLP® Certification + CORE Membership

Certification gives you the knowledge. CORE gives you the business.

To maximize your ROI, we recommend pairing your certification with our CORE Membership.

Investment:

CDLP® Certification: $2,495 (Initial investment with a $497 annual membership fee)
CORE Membership: $229/month (Accelerate your growth)

Certification gives you the credentials. CORE Membership gives you the business.
Together, they give you the future you’re building.

Expand each section to learn more

Choose Your Learning Path | Self-Paced or FastTrack Live Virtual

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
Live Virtual Training – A one-week, guided program led by Jody Bruns

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 (Modules, Assessments, Workbook, Exam)
Full access to email, chat, and phone support throughout your training

Ideal for busy professionals seeking flexibility and independence.

Option Two: FastTrack CDLP® Certification - Live with Jody Bruns

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

Become a Certified Divorce Lending Professional® in just one week with our most interactive training experience.

The FastTrack Live Virtual Training is a 3-day hybrid program that integrates live instruction with the e-learning platform. This training is designed for motivated mortgage professionals who want to dive deep, earn their certification quickly, and immediately apply divorce mortgage planning strategies in their business.

What to Expect

Accelerated Certification 2 hours a day, for 3 days — Unpack critical information from each learning module.
Interactive Training — real-time instruction, Q&A, and case studies so you can apply what you’re learning on the spot.
Business Development Edge — learn how to position yourself as the go-to resource for attorneys, mediators, and financial experts in your market.

Why Choose FastTrack?

Unlike self-paced learning, FastTrack keeps you on schedule and connected with peers while giving you direct access to Jody’s expertise. In just one week, you’ll walk away with your CDLP® Certification and the business strategies to put it to work right away.

👉 Seats are limited. Reserve your spot now and complete your CDLP® Certification in one week!

What You Will Learn with CDLP® Certification

The CDLP® Certification is more than technical training. It equips you with advanced, multidisciplinary skills to serve divorcing clients with strategic insight, legal fluency, and financial clarity.

You’ll graduate with the tools, language, and confidence to collaborate with attorneys, mediators, and financial advisors and to guide clients through one of the most complex financial transitions of their lives.

1. Divorce & Mortgage Planning Fundamentals

Understand divorce as both a legal and financial transaction, not just an emotional event.
Confidently evaluate timelines, methods of dissolution, and how each impacts housing decisions.
Position yourself as a neutral expert who can provide credible testimony and insights to support attorneys, mediators, and courts.

2. Legal Insights That Matter

Read and interpret settlement agreements, court orders, and title documents with confidence.
Identify legal constraints early so financing strategies are feasible and enforceable.
Speak the language of attorneys, aligning mortgage solutions with the legal framework of divorce.

3. Financial & Tax Considerations

Evaluate spousal support, child support, and retirement accounts through the dual lens of mortgage underwriting and tax implications.
Spot tax traps, assess after-tax housing costs, and structure mortgage solutions that hold up financially.
Bridge the gap between financial planners and underwriters by clarifying how income sources are treated differently in mortgage qualification.

4. Advanced Mortgage Strategies for Divorce

Structure real-world solutions such as equity buyouts, loan assumptions, QDRO distributions, and income reclassification.
Apply specialized strategies for FHA, VA, and senior housing cases, including reverse mortgages and aging-in-place planning.
Deliver case-specific clarity through the proprietary Divorce Mortgage Planning and Real Property Report™, strengthening your role on the divorce team.

5. Client Communication & Negotiation

Translate complex financial concepts into clear, accessible explanations for clients and professionals.
Guide high-conflict situations with neutrality and authority, supporting decisions without fueling disputes.

6. Ethical & Professional Standards

Maintain professional credibility as a neutral third-party expert.
Protect the integrity of the legal and financial process while creating clarity for all parties.

7. Marketing & Business Development

Position yourself as the divorce housing expert in your market.
Build high-trust pipelines with attorneys, mediators, and financial advisors.
Deliver CE and CLE trainings that open doors to long-term referral relationships.

8. Case Studies & Real-World Applications

Apply your training directly to real divorce scenarios.
Practice case mapping and strategy execution so you’re ready to deliver value the moment you’re certified.

The CDLP® Business Model: Beyond Transactions

As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional, you’re not limited to waiting on closings; you have two paths to success:

Traditional Origination: Earn commission by delivering expert mortgage solutions to divorcing homeowners.
Hybrid Business Model: Our proprietary, compliance-approved system that combines origination with fee-based consulting so you get paid for your expertise earlier, build authority, and expand your income.

Why the Hybrid Model?

Earn fees up front, not just after a loan closes
Deliver consulting services to attorneys, mediators, and financial professionals
Diversify income beyond the pipeline
Position yourself as the strategist, not just the loan officer

Strategy Over Sales

Loan officers sell rates. CDLP®s solve problems. With the Hybrid Model, you:

Get involved early in the divorce process
Provide deliverables that attorneys rely on
Build a recession-resistant business rooted in strategy and trust

More Than a Model, A Platform

The Divorce Lending Association provides everything you need:

Consulting frameworks and engagement agreements
Professional deliverables for attorneys and mediators
Referral development systems
Ongoing coaching and compliance support

The Result

CDLP®s using the Hybrid Model consistently:

Gain higher-quality legal referrals
Earn a more stable, diversified income
Stand out in a crowded mortgage market

It’s more than compliant. It’s proven.
If you’re ready to stop waiting on closings and start earning what your expertise is worth, the Hybrid Model is your next step.

What’s Included in Your CDLP® Business Program with Core Membership

Certification is just the first step; implementation is where your business begins.

✔ Full CDLP® Certification
Become a Certified Divorce Lending Professional® trained in the legal, financial, and real property dynamics of divorce. This comprehensive certification prepares you to deliver strategic insight during property division, support settlement negotiations, and collaborate effectively with attorneys, mediators, and financial professionals.

✔ Core Membership & Business Infrastructure
Weekly Coaching, CRM integration, branded newsletters, presentations approved for CE, CLE, CME, and CJE credit, automated social media, professional directory listing, and a vault of high-converting marketing assets and more!

✔ CDLP® Mastery Series
The CDLP® Mastery Series provides higher-level learning for CDLP® professionals ready to advance beyond the basics. New content is released every 14 days to build authority, confidence, and growth.

✔ CDLP® Hybrid Business Model
Operate as both a strategic consultant and a mortgage originator. The Divorce Lending Association fully manages all consultation requests, engagement letters, disclosures, and payment processing, allowing you to focus on client strategy while maintaining compliance.

✔ Done-for-You Assets & Professional Outreach Resources
Access presentations, case studies, professional communication templates, and strategic materials designed to support meaningful collaboration with family law professionals.

✔ Live Coaching & Peer Masterminds
Participate in monthly coaching sessions, expert discussions, and community collaboration to elevate your expertise and expand your market reach.

Not All Divorce Certifications Lead to a Business. Here’s the Difference.

Most divorce designations stop at minimal education, leaving you with a certificate but no clear path to building a sustainable business. The CDLP® Business Program is different.

With CDLP®, you gain not only a certification but also the structure and support to build a lasting, impactful practice.

"I’ve completed four different divorce mortgage and real estate programs, and the CDLP® Certification is by far the most thorough and comprehensive training available for mortgage originators."
Jason Gordon, CDLP®, CDRE®, CDS, RCS-D

I have been working in the divorce space since 2018 but after getting my CDLP certification at the end of 2023 I have really increased my divorce lending business. I have become involved in 2 different collaborative law groups locally and have started connecting with a couple financial neutrals and 6 attorneys are contacting me fairly regularly to work with their clients. It has been a little over 10% of my business. I’m much more comfortable talking about this niche now and in my business networking I’m leveraging this area of my business to let people know I am specialized.

Carol Zink-Mailloux, CDLP® - New Hampshire

Being affiliated with the Divorce Lending Association helps solidify my reputation in the market with quality divorce specific education, resources, and community engagement, as well as the ability to educate local attorney and financial planning partners with state approved continuing legal education. I couldn’t be more delighted!

Audra McMahon, CDLP® - Kansas City

The Divorce Lending Association’s Certified Divorce Lending certification course is an absolute game-changer. Not only does it provide comprehensive education, but the continued support from Jody, Lynn, and the entire Divorce Lending Association community is truly unparalleled. The professional marketing materials are top-notch, making it easy to stand out and confidently communicate your value to attorneys and their clients. My only regret is that I didn’t do this sooner! If you're serious about specializing in divorce mortgage planning, don’t wait another day. This course gives you the knowledge and confidence to truly make a difference.

Wendy Thompson, CDLP® - Tennessee

I have been a CDLP for about 2 years, one of the best educational programs in the mortgage industry. I always look for different niches in the industry to set myself apart. Since most of my marketing over my career has been to Financial Advisors, CPA’s and Attorneys the CDLP certification was perfect. I now leverage that education and certification to bring a new level of expertise to my referral partners. This has made a difference in my referrals. Now as I am working with divorcing clients, I am able to show their attorneys how I can be an asset to their practice. I highly recommend the CDLP certification.

Ken Venick - Maryland

I first connected with Jody and the Divorce Lending Association in 2014 after encountering several divorce-related mortgage files. Unfortunately, I found myself unable to assist at the time due to settlement agreements that didn’t align with the necessary mortgage guidelines. Over the years, I have found immense fulfillment in helping clients navigate the complexities of divorce settlements. Piecing together the divorce puzzle, especially when we can achieve a positive outcome for all parties involved, has been incredibly rewarding. Through my journey, I've come to understand that mastering the nuanced guidelines of Divorce Mortgage Planning takes time and patience. The advanced concepts and support that Jody and Team DLA provide are truly exceptional and set us apart from standard lenders. I am deeply grateful for their expertise, dedication, and the invaluable support they offer. #GratefulCDLPer

Dave Kaufman - Oregon

The Divorce Lending Association and CDLP® program has really opened doors of partnerships with not only divorce professionals like family law attorneys, but estate and elder law attorneys. Being a CDLP® has also given me the opportunity to deepen my relationship with real estate agents and financial advisors. Given the opportunity to explain how we help navigate marital settlement agreements and mortgage planning creates an admiration that I am not just another lender. As we say at the DLA, “Just because it’s a legal option, doesn’t mean it’s a lending option.

Leslie Kight - Southern California

The best part about the CDLP® is that the training, coaching, development and tools are on going and ever evolving. You do not just get certified and then have to figure it out on your own. The Divorce Lending Association continues to give the entire time. They also provide a level of support that is unmatched in any program I have ever experienced. Click to continue reading...

Emile Flowers - Illinois

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! Click to continue reading...

Karla Kyte - Colorado

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. In my humble opinion, the Certified Divorce Lending Professional program facilitated through the Divorce Lending Association is by far the most thorough and comprehensive divorce education available for mortgage originators. Click to continue reading...

Jason Gordon - California

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. The coaching program is fantastic and highly recommended to hone your skills and increase your knowledge in the family law space. Click to read more...

Don Moll - Florida

Get CDLP^® Certified Today!

Elevate your career with the Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) certification. Achieve next-level professionalism while unlocking new business and income opportunities in divorce mortgage planning.

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