A Winning Partnership:
How a Virtual Legal Assistant Helped Clear the Way for Deeper Client Work and Business Expansion
Karen Sparks, CDFA®, J.D., is the founder and principal of Divorce Financial Strategists (DFS), a practice dedicated to guiding individuals and families through the financial complexities of
divorce. With a unique blend of legal education and financial expertise, Karen created DFS to fill a critical gap in family law by providing clear, objective financial analysis during one of life’s
most disruptive transitions.
After more than a decade of supporting clients and collaborating with attorneys, mediators,
and other family law professionals, Karen recognized the need to scale her operational capacity without compromising the high-touch service she provides her clients. That’s when she turned to Freedom Makers Virtual Services seeking a detail-oriented and compassionate virtual assistant.
Karen shares, "As a business owner, it is important to understand that obtaining the support you need does not take away your control - it provides more balance, structure, focus and enhancement to your professional brand. I reached the point where I knew that insisting on wearing all the hats was going to stunt my business growth plans and that is when I reached out to FM on the referral of another professional colleague. FM helped me to invest in myself and the results have been outstanding."
The Challenge:
In order to manage nationwide client relationships, onboarding workflows, and time-sensitive tasks, Karen needs her operation to be well organized. As Divorce Financial Strategists expanded, so did the need for streamlined processes and workflows.
Karen approached Freedom Makers seeking a virtual assistant who could take ownership of essential administrative functions like email and calendar management, intake form creation and distribution, client data entry, and onboarding coordination. After a thoughtful selection process, Karen matched with Debbie, a Marine Corps spouse and talented virtual assistant with a background in client communication and process management.
The Solution:
Debbie stepped into the role with precision and professionalism. Early tasks included inbox
oversight and scheduling, but her support soon expanded to include client communications,
disclosure packet preparation, data management, and virtual client meetings on budgeting and custody topics.
Debbie’s prior use of platforms like Google Suite, Airtable, Dropbox, Thryv, and Zoom allowed her to not only support Karen’s current needs but also scale alongside the business. Over time, her role became integral to maintaining both the quality and consistency DFS is known for.
Impact:
What began as a search for administrative support has evolved into a dynamic, high-trust
partnership that continues to play a pivotal role in the growth and success of DFS. Debbie's
strong background in customer service and operations made her a natural fit for Karen’s line of work. Her communication, reliability, and attention to detail have made her an essential part of Karen’s team.
Debbie contributes to DFS’s practice in meaningful ways, including:
- Stronger Client Relationships: Debbie’s consistency and compassion help maintain high-quality client experiences.
- More Strategic Focus: With logistics handled, Karen can concentrate on complex financial analysis and case strategy and business outreach and marketing.
- Reliable Partnership: Even during periods when Karen steps away, Debbie ensures continuity and stability across all client interactions.
A True Partnership:
Now formally recognized as a Legal Assistant on the DFS website, Debbie is an essential part of the client experience and a trusted representative of the brand.
As Karen shared in her review:
“Debbie has been the best thing to happen to my practice. I have more time for analysis and growth projects. When I’m out, I know everything is under control.”
Recently, Susan reflected, “Kristin is a lifeline. She’s helped me find time for myself, support my clients with consistency, and run my business with more clarity than ever before.”
Getting Started with a
Freedom Maker
1.
Discovery
We learn about your business and your goals and help you craft a unique opportunity description before we send it out to our community of Freedom Makers.
2.
Selections
We identify potential matches based on skills, personality fit, and experience. You'll meet up to four "finalists" who have expressed interest in your opportunity. The final choice is yours!
3.
Onboarding & Kick Off
You are onboarded into our system and we host a Kick Off Call where we help you and your Freedom Maker build your task roadmap, categorize your priorities, and set clear expectations.
