She Handed the Investments to Her Husband for Decades. Then Came the Divorce.
Marylou L. never imagined she would be sitting across from a divorce lawyer at 59, trying to make sense of a financial life she had never actually touched. For most of her marriage, investing was something her husband handled without much discussion. “He just told me not to worry about the details,” she said recently. “And I didn’t. We were in good financial shape because of the investments that he made.”
It’s a familiar arrangement, even now. Plenty of couples divide labor in a way that seems efficient until the system breaks. And when it did for Marylou, she found herself staring at spreadsheets and settlement terms as if they were written in another language.
She had a mediator. And a lawyer. What she didn’t have, she learned, was a financial advocate. “Our mediator pulled me aside and said, ‘You really need someone who understands this inside out,’” Marylou recalled. The mediator had a single recommendation for her: Marianna Goldenberg, then working as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and soon to become the founder and CEO of CURO Wealth Management.
When they met, Marylou offered what she knew: very little. What she received in return was something closer to a reconstruction of her financial life. Ms. Goldenberg reviewed the proposed settlement and spotted gaps and opportunities that had gone unnoticed. “She set me up to walk out of that marriage with resources I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Marylou said.
The relationship didn’t end when the papers were signed. In the years that followed, Marylou continued working with Ms. Goldenberg, migrating from crisis management to long-term planning. In the beginning, she wasn’t in the emotional shape, she admitted, to start reading up on funds and account allocation, and she knew she wouldn’t be the kind of person who suddenly subscribed to investing newsletters. “I just wasn’t going to do that,” she said.
What she did respond to was Ms. Goldenberg’s gentle, steady pragmatism. A way of teaching without condescension, and guiding without pressure. Over time, Marylou learned about risk, timing, and why her own financial caution, shaped by Depression-era parents, still whispered in the background even when it didn’t need to.
“I’ve always been conservative,” she said. “She’s the one telling me to go on vacation.”
Over the years, with Marianna’s encouragement, she learned enough to ask good questions and collaborate more actively with the CURO team. Eventually, the planning expanded beyond Marylou herself. Her daughters began checking in, curious about starting their own retirement accounts. When grandchildren arrived, Ms. Goldenberg helped set up education funds. What began as a divorce case became something generational. Not just money moving forward, but literacy.
Today, Marylou is 71. She still meets with Ms. Goldenberg, at least twice a year. She likes the way the CURO office feels. Less like a traditional stuffy financial firm and more like a place where you can finally exhale. She likes knowing that if she sends a question after lunch, she’ll have an answer before dinner. And she likes that even her 98-year-old mother approves.
“My mother always says, ‘Thank goodness you have Marianna,’” Marylou said. “She went through a divorce with no financial support at all. It left a mark. She’s just relieved I didn’t have to go through that.”
Q&A With Marylou L.
Condensed and edited for clarity.
How did you first meet Marianna Goldenberg?
I was in the middle of a difficult divorce. I had a mediator and a lawyer, but my lawyer told me I needed someone strong financially to advocate for me. She recommended Marianna. I truly had limited financial knowledge at the time, so meeting her felt like exactly what I needed.
What stood out about your first experiences working together?
She built a plan and didn't just crunch numbers. She looked over the settlement, spotted things I never would have caught, and helped me understand what was actually at stake. I wasn’t in the right headspace to sort through it all myself, so having her take the lead on the details was a huge relief.
Why did you continue working with her after the divorce?
Partly because I knew myself. I wasn’t going to stay disciplined about researching investments. But also because she understood what an emotionally heavy period it was. She didn’t push. She explained things slowly, answered every question, and let the relationship evolve naturally.
Has she helped with planning beyond your own accounts?
Yes. Retirement planning has been a major focus. She also learned about my daughters’ situations and even spoke with my younger daughter about starting retirement savings early. And she helped me set up 529 plans for my grandchildren. She looks at the whole family picture, not just the person sitting in front of her.
What does working with CURO as a firm feel like?
Everyone there reflects Marianna’s way of treating people. I once had a time-sensitive tax issue, and someone from the team was checking in constantly to make sure everything was processed in time. They’re incredibly responsive, and they genuinely care about the community. They’re always sharing ways to get involved or support a good cause.
Do you feel more confident with money now?
I’m never going to know what a professional knows, but I’ve learned how to ask the right questions. And with Marianna, I never feel like any of them are dumb. She just doesn’t make you feel that way.
What advice would you give someone looking for a financial advisor for the first time?
Look for someone who sees the full picture, not just the numbers. Someone who takes the time and answers when you reach out. You want to feel like a person they’re invested in and not a line item.
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This material is intended for informational/educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. CURO Wealth Management does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation.