CDA Certified Divorce Advisor Exam Structured
Study Notes and Topic Review
=== START OF EXAM ===
CERTIFIED DIVORCE ADVISOR (CDA) EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTION BANK
200+ QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
UPDATED 2026/2027
SECTION 1: LEGAL FRAMEWORK & DIVORCE PROCESS (Questions 1-40)
1. Which divorce method involves a neutral third party who facilitates negotiations
between the parties?
a) Litigation
b) Mediation
c) Collaborative divorce
d) Default divorce
Answer: b) Mediation
Rationale: Mediation uses a neutral third party (mediator) to facilitate
1
, negotiations and help the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The
mediator does not make decisions but guides the process.
2. In which divorce method do both parties commit to resolving issues without
court
intervention, with full disclosure required?
a) Litigation
b) Mediation
c) Collaborative divorce
d) Default divorce
Answer: c) Collaborative divorce
Rationale: Collaborative divorce is a voluntary, non-adversarial process where
both parties commit to negotiating a settlement without going to court. Full
disclosure is required, and if the process fails, the collaborative attorneys
withdraw and cannot represent the parties in litigation.
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of the litigation approach to divorce?
a) Private and confidential
b) Parties retain control over the outcome
c) Adversarial, costly, and time-consuming
d) Non-adversarial and cooperative
Answer: c) Adversarial, costly, and time-consuming
2
, Rationale: Litigation is court-based, adversarial, and often the most expensive
and time-consuming method. The judge makes final decisions, and the parties
lose control over the outcome.
4. A divorce granted when one spouse fails to respond to the divorce petition
within the required timeframe is called:
a) Contested divorce
b) Uncontested divorce
c) Default divorce
d) Summary divorce
Answer: c) Default divorce
Rationale: A default divorce occurs when the respondent fails to file a response
to the divorce petition within the required timeframe (typically 20-30 days).
The court may grant the divorce based on the petitioner's requests.
5. Temporary orders issued during divorce proceedings (such as for support or
custody) are known as:
a) Permanent orders
b) Pendente lite orders
c) Final judgments
d) Summary judgments
3
, Answer: b) Pendente lite orders
Rationale: Pendente lite (Latin for "pending the litigation") are temporary
orders that provide for support, custody, and other needs while the divorce
is pending. They are not final and can be modified.
6. Which of the following best describes "discovery" in the divorce process?
a) The final hearing where the judge makes a decision
b) The formal exchange of financial information between parties
c) The initial filing of the divorce petition
d) The signing of the final divorce decree
Answer: b) The formal exchange of financial information between parties
Rationale: Discovery is the formal process where both parties exchange
financial and other relevant information to ensure full disclosure and
facilitate settlement. It typically covers the prior 3 years of financial
records.
7. Discovery in divorce typically covers what timeframe of financial records?
a) 1 year prior to filing
b) 3 years prior to filing
c) 5 years prior to filing
d) The entire marriage
4
Study Notes and Topic Review
=== START OF EXAM ===
CERTIFIED DIVORCE ADVISOR (CDA) EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTION BANK
200+ QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
UPDATED 2026/2027
SECTION 1: LEGAL FRAMEWORK & DIVORCE PROCESS (Questions 1-40)
1. Which divorce method involves a neutral third party who facilitates negotiations
between the parties?
a) Litigation
b) Mediation
c) Collaborative divorce
d) Default divorce
Answer: b) Mediation
Rationale: Mediation uses a neutral third party (mediator) to facilitate
1
, negotiations and help the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The
mediator does not make decisions but guides the process.
2. In which divorce method do both parties commit to resolving issues without
court
intervention, with full disclosure required?
a) Litigation
b) Mediation
c) Collaborative divorce
d) Default divorce
Answer: c) Collaborative divorce
Rationale: Collaborative divorce is a voluntary, non-adversarial process where
both parties commit to negotiating a settlement without going to court. Full
disclosure is required, and if the process fails, the collaborative attorneys
withdraw and cannot represent the parties in litigation.
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of the litigation approach to divorce?
a) Private and confidential
b) Parties retain control over the outcome
c) Adversarial, costly, and time-consuming
d) Non-adversarial and cooperative
Answer: c) Adversarial, costly, and time-consuming
2
, Rationale: Litigation is court-based, adversarial, and often the most expensive
and time-consuming method. The judge makes final decisions, and the parties
lose control over the outcome.
4. A divorce granted when one spouse fails to respond to the divorce petition
within the required timeframe is called:
a) Contested divorce
b) Uncontested divorce
c) Default divorce
d) Summary divorce
Answer: c) Default divorce
Rationale: A default divorce occurs when the respondent fails to file a response
to the divorce petition within the required timeframe (typically 20-30 days).
The court may grant the divorce based on the petitioner's requests.
5. Temporary orders issued during divorce proceedings (such as for support or
custody) are known as:
a) Permanent orders
b) Pendente lite orders
c) Final judgments
d) Summary judgments
3
, Answer: b) Pendente lite orders
Rationale: Pendente lite (Latin for "pending the litigation") are temporary
orders that provide for support, custody, and other needs while the divorce
is pending. They are not final and can be modified.
6. Which of the following best describes "discovery" in the divorce process?
a) The final hearing where the judge makes a decision
b) The formal exchange of financial information between parties
c) The initial filing of the divorce petition
d) The signing of the final divorce decree
Answer: b) The formal exchange of financial information between parties
Rationale: Discovery is the formal process where both parties exchange
financial and other relevant information to ensure full disclosure and
facilitate settlement. It typically covers the prior 3 years of financial
records.
7. Discovery in divorce typically covers what timeframe of financial records?
a) 1 year prior to filing
b) 3 years prior to filing
c) 5 years prior to filing
d) The entire marriage
4
