You Deserve Better: 6 Signals It’s Time To Divorce

thinking about divorce?

You’ve been unhappy in your marriage for awhile, but you’re not sure if you should pull the plug and divorce. While there’s no perfect partner out there, you need someone who’s committed to working through problems. If your instinct says “it’s over,” here are some signs that you might be correct.   Read more

Asset Division Dilemma: The House Or The Retirement Account?

retirement divorce asset

You and your spouse have sat down to negotiate your division of marital assets and there is a very big decision that the two of you will need to make.

You own a home together — a home that you very much want to stay in after your divorce — and your spouse has a retirement account through work that he/she very much wants to remain intact and free from division. Your spouse makes you an offer: you can take 100% of their equity in the home and assume sole ownership of the home, if in return, you give up any claim to the retirement account. Dollar-wise, the amount of money in play appears to be about the same.

Should you say yes? It’s exactly what you want, after all. Or is this offer too good to be true?

Let’s take a closer look at this very common asset negotiation tactic.   Read more

Gray Divorce: 4 Ways to Future-Proof Alimony and Protect Your Finances

thinking about how alimony safeguards your future

Bankruptcy rates among Americans over age 65 have tripled in recent decades. The reason why appears to be a perfect storm of financial strains — from spiraling health care costs and rising living expenses to too little in retirement and personal savings. If you are older and planning to divorce, you may be concerned about how your split will impact your financial future, especially if you will pay — or receive — alimony.

What if you can’t pay the alimony amount you’re ordered to — or if the amount you receive isn’t enough? What happens to alimony when you retire? What about taxes? And what other sources of income and support can you draw from in your senior years?  Read more

5 Signs You CAN Save Your Marriage

Going through a bad spell in your marriage and wondering if it’ll last? Instead of focusing on problems, try thinking of solutions. Here are 5 signs that you and your spouse have the skills to save your marriage and make things work. Read more

Can student loans be required to reduce parental college tuition obligations? 

When parents agree to share college costs as part of their divorce settlement, it can be at a time when their children are younger and college is still in the far-off future. 

But time marches on, and someday those same young children will be young adults getting ready for the next big step in life. As your child decides on which college or university to attend, it is time to look back at those college cost sharing agreements. Does your agreement obligate you to pay 20%, 50%, 80%, or even all of your child’s tuition? Read more

Can I stop my ex from introducing our children to their new dating partner?

dating, divorce and parenting time

Even if you are at peace with your divorce, finding out your ex is dating someone new can stir up a hornet’s nest of emotions, especially when you have children together. What if your your kids aren’t ready for this big step or have expressed reluctance in their parent dating? Do you have any rights for preventing a new boyfriend or girlfriend from taking part in parenting time?  Read more

High Net Worth Divorce: How Much Should Wealthy Parents Pay in Child Support?

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How is child support calculated when you are a high net worth parent? What happens when parents disagree about the amount of support to be paid? And how do you keep contentious divorce matters like child support disputes private and away from prying eyes? Read more

7 Ways Addiction Can Destroy A Marriage

Addiction exacts such a heavy toll on marriage for one simple reason: Addicts have problems in their relationships because their primary attachment is not to their spouse, but to their drug of choice.  Read more

Can I Get A Divorce Without My Spouse’s Consent? 

can one spouse stop a divorce

Are you heading for a divorce road block? As a recent case in the United Kingdom demonstrated, it’s still possible in this day and age for a divorce to be called off because one spouse doesn’t want one. Read more

Preparing Your Kids For Your Second Marriage

preparing kids for second marriage

If you’re getting remarried, you may worry that your kids will have a hard time adjusting to your new spouse and step-siblings. To protect your children both emotionally and financially, it’s important to establish clear boundaries and expectations. Here are five steps to help you do that. Read more