The Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility is provided as an expression of the ethical standards that the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts^TM has adopted and every Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^TM has agreed to abide by. The Code applies to every Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^TM designee and candidate in conducting divorce-planning work.

1. Integrity- Maintain the highest standard of honesty and integrity when dealing with colleagues, the IDFA^TM, clients or attorneys. Avoid practices that would dishonor your profession, IDFA^TM or any of its members and employees.
2. Competence- In addition to satisfying the continuing education requirement needed to maintain the use of the designation, every CDFA^TM should serve clients competently. Therefore, acquiring the knowledge and skill necessary to do so in the area of divorce planning is required.
3. Objectivity- Objectivity requires a CDFA^TM to be intellectually honest and impartial. Regardless of who hired him or her, a CDFA^TM will always be objective when dealing with clients and their attorneys.
4. Fairness- CDFA^TMs who maintain their financial practices should make divorce-planning recommendations independent of the potential financial planning relationship; doing so will alleviate the risk of potential conflict of interest. To do so, a CDFA^TM will need to separate the two practices as to not confuse the public.
5. Confidentiality- A CDFA^TM shall hold client information to the highest standard of confidentiality. Short of client consent or appropriate legal process, a CDFA^TM shall not release any information about their client before, during or after the divorce.
6. Professionalism- A CDFA^TM's interactions shall protect the highest levels of professionalism. Whether dealing with clients, attorneys, IDFA^TM or any of its partners or subsidiaries, a CDFA^TM will behave in a professional manner.
7. Scope- A CDFA^TM, by education and training, is a specialist in dealing in the financial issues of divorce. Working alongside the attorney who is licensed to practice law, a CDFA^TM must never (unless licensed to do so) advise clients on their legal rights. In addition, a CDFA^TM must never market his or her services in a misleading fashion or represent themselves as representatives of IDFA^TM.
8. Compliance- A CDFA^TM will comply with all the laws related to the business they conduct and report to the IDFA^TM any actions by other CDFA^TM's that are illegal or in violation of this code. In addition, a CDFA^TM will comply with any requests from the IDFA^TM for information regarding any complaints brought against him or her. If IDFA^TM, after comprehensive investigation, decides that either suspension or revocation of the CDFA^TM designation is the proper remedy, a CDFA^TM will comply with the order.
9. Unauthorized practice of law- A CDFA^TM understands that, in order to practice law, one has to be licensed. Under no circumstances will a CDFA^TM represent that the IDFA^TM certification is a license to practice law.
10. Support- A CDFA^TM will always support our profession and IDFA^TM as the main driving force behind the progress of the profession. Additionally, a CDFA^TM will not collude, debase or discredit the IDFA^TM or the profession.