In the past, many ex-husbands found themselves having to send their ex-wives a check every month. Now, the opposite situation is true, where many women are out earning men, and after divorce might be forced to pay alimony to their ex-husbands.
]]> In many relationships, one person makes more money than the other. In order to help a person maintain the lifestyle that they lived in their marriage, alimony or spousal support requires one spouse to pay another. This can be for a certain period of time or an ongoing payment.If a person is going through a divorce, speaking with an experienced family law attorney in Massachusetts might be a wise decision. They can help a person figure out how much alimony they might want to ask for and work with the person's ex-spouse on an agreement.
If a person finds that their ex-spouse is asking for too much alimony, an attorney can also help in this situation. Speaking with an attorney before a marriage might be a way to prevent certain large payments if one spouse makes more than the other and their marriage ends. However, if a person doesn't enter into a prenuptial agreement, they might be forced to pay some alimony to their ex depending on different in their incomes and expenses.
Source: Time, "The De-Gendering of Divorce: Wives Pay Ex-Husbands Alimony Too," Liza Mundy, April 16, 2013
]]>As of this week, 12 states and our nation's Capitol recognize same-sex marriages, including Massachusetts. However, the states that don't recognize marriage also usually don't recognize the right for these couples to seek a divorce. Since same-sex divorce might be more difficult because of legal complications, it is important that couples are prepared before marriage in case they one day divorce.
]]> Although no one enters a marriage with intent of it ending one day, sometimes relationships evolve and couples break up. Same-sex couples might want to consider a prenuptial agreement before marriage, as well as understand the laws regarding same-sex marriage if they intend to move out of the state where their marriage is recognized. They might also want to research how certain states deal with child custody issues with same-sex divorce.Speaking with an attorney who has experience handling same-sex divorce cases might be a wise decision. They can help each person understand how the law might apply differently for their divorce, and what steps they might need to take to protect their assets and family. In order to ensure the best outcome from a divorce, it is important to look at each case as unique.
Source: The Huffington Post, "Tips on Avoiding Same-Sex Divorce Complications," Alton Abramowitz, May 13, 2013
]]>Parents can save in various ways. They could do a traditional savings account, or they could invest in a 529 plan, which is an investment account that only allows for distributions for specific educational expenses. Whatever way parents choose to save, it might be important that parents that decide to divorce, also include college savings in their discussions.
]]> Even after a divorce, many parents hope they can still help their children pay for college. And if they have already started saving, it is important that those savings go untouched and continue to grow. Parents might be able to freeze their 529 plans and split the accounts so each parent can control their own investments for the benefit of their child's future education.Speaking with an experienced divorce attorney can help parents explore their options relating to their child's college education. They can then help come to an agreement that is beneficial to the child but allows both parents to work on their own individual contributions. Many things will have to be worked out and agreed upon during a divorce. A child's education past high school might be at the top of some parent's priority lists and an attorney can help them seek a mutual solution.
Source: Source: U.S. News & World Report, "Discuss College Savings During Divorce Process," Reyna Gobel, April 29, 2013
]]>While her ex doesn't appear to be suing her directly, the man is accusing her current boyfriend of conspiring to disguise her true financial situation, resulting in higher child support payments.
]]> Child support can help a parent who has primary custody of a child between two people pay for expenses related to raising the child. If one parent makes significantly more money than another parent, the child support amounts might increase.If a person thinks that the other parent has lied about their situation in order to achieve a more favorable child support amount, they might be able to seek changes to the amount of child support paid.
While many situations don't involve such a large amount of child support, many parents rely on these payments to provide for their children's educations, and a lifestyle that they may have been accustomed to when their parents were together.
Even if a couple wasn't married, as was the case for this couple, child support can still be awarded. Speaking with an experienced Massachusetts family law attorney might be a wise decision for any parent who has to raise children without assistance from another parent. They can help a parent understand their rights and work to achieve a favorable child support agreement.
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While people should always be cautious of what they post under their name online, they should be especially restrained in their online presence during a divorce. Anything that a soon-to-be ex-spouse can find online about one person might be considered public information and end up being used against them in child custody proceedings and other aspects of their Massachusetts divorce case. Any information online might be used to persuade a judge that one parent isn't fit to take care of children.
]]> This could result in less custody being granted to one parent, and in turn more support being paid to an ex. While many people remain vigilante and well aware of their online posting, it might be wise to go through your online accounts, and even search for your own name online before filing for a divorce, to see what might be found in the online public space. Any of this information might be scrutinized during a divorce. It might also be wise to change passwords to online social accounts.While a Vegas vacation might have been completely harmless, it might be perceived negatively by your ex and result in difficult questions during child custody proceedings. Massachusetts couples may want to speak with their divorce attorney about their online presence to make sure they are doing everything they can to prevent questions about their digital life during a divorce.
Source: The Washington Times, "Email, texting can become a WMD during a divorce or custody case," Myra Fleischer, April 23, 2013
]]>Well, that depends on a few different things. The person's age will be a major variable in deciding what to do, as well as the amount of money they have to retire, and what debts they might still have after the divorce. If a person receives a very large cash settlement, they might be tempted to pay off their mortgage, buy a car and pay for their children's college educations. While these might be smart moves, a person should think about their long-term needs and might want to consult with a financial advisor before spending everything they receive from their settlement.
]]> In some cases, they might want to heavily invest in their retirement. It can seem overwhelming when a person receives a large sum of money. An experienced divorce attorney can help a person seek a fair settlement in a divorce, and help them build a support network that can help them establish a financial plan for their post-divorce life.A person's monthly expenses and long-term financial goals might change drastically after a divorce, so it might be wise to build a significant support network throughout a divorce to ensure a person is prepared for their financial life after divorce.
Source: Fox Business, "Best Use of Divorce Cash Before Retirement?," Dr. Don Taylor, Ph.D., April 8, 2013
]]>Many real estate agents are now providing a divorce-tailored house selling experience. These real estate agents are able to work with a person's divorce attorney in Massachusetts to work out details of selling the couple's house, which can be one of the largest parts of property division.
]]> Property division isn't always about who gets things that are sentimental, but also about who gets things that are worth an equitable share of the couple's total assets. These cases can be more complex depending on how many assets the couple shares.An experienced Massachusetts divorce attorney can help a person determine what property is considered marital property and how the property should be divided. Any disputes might be negotiated or worked out through court proceedings.
Sometimes couple's are not able to come to an agreement outside of court. If this occurs, an attorney can help a person handle the court proceedings and represent them through arguments. If one person wants to keep the house that the couple lived in, other assets might be used to help negotiate an appropriate settlement.
Source: The New York Times, "After the Breakup, They Help Sell the House," Elizabeth A. Harris, April 1, 2013
-Our law firm handles complex property division cases in Massachusetts. Please visit our website to learn more.
]]>One of the biggest things to remember when going through a divorce is to think about one's self. People listen to rumors that might be spread by family and friends about why they are getting a divorce and they think about focusing only on their children and other people to avoid their own feelings. Those who are going through a divorce might get angry with conversations about their divorce or what their ex does. They may also try to reexamine their marriage to try to decide what went wrong.
]]> It can be important for a person to evaluate their emotions after a divorce, but it is also be important that they think about their own needs before the needs of other people. Those going through a divorce should look at their divorce as a new beginning, and try not to heavily focus on the end of their relationship. There can be a period of mourning during a divorce, so it is important that people accept this, and work to make them happy.Speaking with an experienced divorce attorney can help make sure the legal process goes smoothly through the divorce, so the person seeking the divorce can focus on their needs.
Source: The Huffington Post, "Learning Curves: 14 Divorce Lessons Every Divorcee Should Know," Amira Young, March 29, 2013
-Our law firm handles divorce cases in Massachusetts. Please visit our website to learn more.
]]>The Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, defines marriage on a federal level between one man and one woman. This means that federal benefits such as Social Security and taxes are handled differently for same-sex couples. While the current law means that Social Security benefits would be taxed for same-sex couples that divorce, DOMA could change depending on how the Supreme Court rules after hearing arguments in a case challenging the law today. However, a decision in that case might not be made until June.
]]> Divorce can be a complex issue for any family and any couple. However, because of the current laws it can be even more complex for same-sex couples, even in Massachusetts, to seek a divorce. Speaking with an experienced family law attorney can help a person understand how the legal process works and what special considerations they might need to take in their individual case.For many couples, it can be difficult to know where to start when they decide to seek a divorce. Each person may want to seek help from their own attorney, and that attorney can help them work through the legal proceedings and work toward resolving the divorce.
Source: New York Magazine, "From ''I Do'' to ''I'm Done''," Jesse Green, Feb. 24, 2013
-Our law firm handles divorce cases for same sex couples in Massachusetts. Please visit our website to learn more.
]]>Divorce is something many people hadn't thought of leading up to the passage of same-sex marriage. Like any other couple, same-sex couples might decide that their marriage is no longer meant to be. If a gay or lesbian couple gets married, and doesn't address certain legal and financial issues before tying the knot, they might face more difficulty if they decide to end their marriage.
]]> It might seem that a state that passes a law legalizing gay and lesbian marriage would be able to figure out how to divorce couples, as well. However, it can be much more complex than many people understand. Because there are different laws governing marriage from state to state, and gay and lesbian relationships aren't recognized under federal law, there are often issues of division of property, treatment of retirement accounts and other things that might need to be considered during a divorce proceeding.While Massachusetts recognizes both same-sex marriage and divorce, it isn't always an easy ride. Speaking with a divorce attorney who has experience handling same-sex divorce in Massachusetts might be a wise decision. They can help a person who is thinking about divorce understand the process and work through the legal system. Please check back next week to learn more about how federal laws and differences in states' laws can affect a divorce for same-sex couples.
Source: New York Magazine, "From ''I Do'' to ''I'm Done''," Jesse Green, Feb. 24, 2013
-Our law firm handles divorce cases for same sex couples in Massachusetts. Please visit our website to learn more.
]]>Some people may try to go through the divorce without representation. They might feel that they can negotiate directly with their ex and come to a fair agreement. Divorce is much more than just dividing cars and the family house. It is working out fair and formal child custody agreements, securing enough assets for each person to live a decent life for years after the divorce, and making sure a soon to be ex-spouse gets the support they need or deserve without overpaying them.
]]> Attorneys can make sure a person isn't being taken advantage of when dealing with their ex. These situations are often very emotional and it might be wise to have an experienced attorney who can handle the complex details that often need to be worked out in a divorce agreement.If the details of a divorce are overlooked, people might find themselves not having enough money or wishing they had asked for different terms of their divorce agreement in the future. It is important that a divorce is done properly the first time as it can be very difficult to amend a divorce decree.
Source: The Colorado Springs Gazette, "Do-it-yourself divorce could be cause for regret," Linda Leitz, March 10, 2013
-Our law firm handles divorce cases in Middlesex County. Please visit our website to learn more.
]]>The couple claims the father was properly notified. The father claims that he never agreed to the adoption or intended to give up his parental rights. He contested the adoption after it was finalized, and a state court later overturned the adoption and ordered the daughter be given back to her biological father, citing the Indian Child Welfare Act. This act was made law in the 1970s in an effort to minimize Native American adoptions to people outside of their heritage.
]]> The law was seen as a major advance in civil rights legislation at the time because Native American children were frequently taken and put into foster care or adopted to Caucasian families. The court will now have to decide whether the act applied in this case, and whether the daughter will remain with her biological father or be returned to her adopted parents.Cases like this can be extremely sensitive and emotional for all people involved. When a person is faced with a child custody issue, it is important to speak with an attorney who understands the sensitivities and laws involved in the case.
Source: Yahoo! News, "Supreme Court's upcoming child-custody decision: The Baby Veronica case," Abigail Perkiss, March, 4, 2013
-Our law firm handles child custody issues in Middlesex County. Please visit our website to learn more about this and other family law issues.
]]>This realization can be liberating, emotional, and raise questions about a person's financial future. If a person is just years away from retirement, a divorce might cause the person to rethink their retirement plans. After all, the retirement plan that most couples build is based on them staying together, having two incomes and joint expenses. After a divorce, each spouse will have to find their own housing, pay their own utilities and other monthly expenses. Soon, that retirement account that once looked like a nice nest egg is looking a little scrambled.
]]> Looking at a retirement account when going through a divorce might cause some people to be overwhelmed. The money they put into the account might be split with their spouse after a divorce, and they might think they will never be able to retire. It is important that people who are close to retirement and contemplating divorce seek professional help with their finances.An experienced divorce attorney can work with the person and their financial advisors to come up with a plan, which can hopefully be incorporated into a divorce settlement or agreement that will keep the person on track for retirement. If the person isn't able to retire when they had hoped to, a plan can be made to get them as close as possible to their retirement target date.
Source: USA Today, "Boomer divorce: A costly retirement roadblock," Rodney Brooks, Feb. 26, 2013
-Our law firm handles property division and baby boomer divorce cases in Middlesex County. Please visit our website to learn more.
]]>The trustees are now suing the woman for $2.9 million, as well as asking the court to disallow bankruptcy court claims of $2.4 million from the woman. Reports say the man is accused of stealing more than $200 million from his clients through the firm he ran. Now, the man is facing charges, and his ex-wife may be forced to pay back payments she was supposed to receive through the property division in her divorce settlement.
]]> While property division might seem like an easy thing during a divorce, if half of the property might go to each spouse, but it can often be much more complex, especially during high-asset divorces. In this case, the husband is accused of criminal activity that directly related to the couple's property. It's unclear from reports if the woman knew were the money was coming from, but now she must work to defend the money she has received.Property division cases such as this one can be extremely complex and require much knowledge of the law. When a large sum of money is involved in a divorce, it is more likely that the couple already has legal arrangements in place that could protect certain assets during a divorce. Although there might be legal contracts in place, an experienced attorney can help a person make sure they receive a fair divorce settlement.
Source: Thomson Reuters News & Insight, "Peregrine Financial's ex-CEO's ex-wife sued over divorce money," Ann Saphir, Jan. 28, 2013
-Our law firm handles complex property division cases in Massachusetts. Please visit our website to learn more.
]]>The chance of divorce is even higher if one person drinks more than their partner. The study found that the rate tripled when the husband was the heaviest drinker. When a wife was a heavy drinker, the rate of divorce was even higher. This shows that sometimes external variables can negatively influence a marriage. These things can be worked on, but sometimes dependence on a chemical can make it difficult to resolve these issues. An experienced divorce attorney understands the sensitivities involved in the reasons for seeking a divorce.
]]> The use of alcohol can also make it difficult for people to rebound emotionally from certain experiences. After an argument it might be more difficult for a couple to reconcile. There can be many issues that affect a marriage. Sometimes people can move past their differences or their arguments, other times arguments compound, making it difficult to reconcile.Speaking with an experienced divorce attorney might be a wise decision for Massachusetts couples that find they are not able to reconcile their differences. These might be beliefs, or preferences that develop over time, which are no longer the same as the other partner. Whatever a person's reason for seeking a divorce, the process can be emotional and sensitive, so it is important that each partner's attorney is sensitive to the emotional part of the process.
Source: Fox News, "Heavy drinking raises risk of divorce," Stephanie Pappas, Feb. 6, 2013
-Our law firm handles Massachusetts divorce cases. Please visit our website to learn more.
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