Even people who have never been through a divorce are usually aware that someone who receives alimony (referred to as “maintenance” under New York Law) is no longer entitled to payments once they marry someone else. Technically, an ex-spouse’s obligation to make payments can be terminated once their former husband or wife moves in with a new romantic partner, even…
Alimony, which is referred to as spousal maintenance under New York law, can be a very contentious issue when a couple divorces. Under traditional periodic alimony arrangements, spouses who have gone their separate ways maintain a financial link because one ex is ordered to send payments to the other. There is another option though. Lump-sum alimony eliminates the need for…
Circumstances can change dramatically relatively quickly after a divorce is finalized. A major or even life-changing event can occur that makes it difficult for an ex-spouse to comply with the terms of their order. This can lead to additional litigation to determine if divorce arrangements should be enforced or modified. As a popular talk-show host, Wendy Williams was earning substantial…
A common question that comes up in family law practice is what happens when someone who comes from a modest background “marries into money” and then gets divorced. Specifically, if one spouse comes from a rich family, does that mean that he or she will never be entitled to alimony payments? While your soon-to-be ex’s family money might pay for…
In June 2015, maintenance law was changed in New York State when the Senate passed new legislation that set forth a statutory formula to determine the duration and amount of spousal maintenance to be paid by the higher income spouse to the lower income spouse upon divorce. This law, which would apply to divorces filed after January 25, 2016, was…
Money is one of the most common reasons couples get divorced in America. One spouse may be a spender while the other wants to save, causing serious tensions as time goes on. Ironically, while money can drive couples apart, it can also be the thing that prevents them from going their separate ways. That’s because divorce comes with financial costs…
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law in December 2017, changed the way alimony payments are taxed for some people. The way tax rules apply to your alimony depends on when you were divorced. Here’s a quick overview of what you should know. Changes to the system The legislation eliminated alimony tax deductions from the tax code from…
If a court awards alimony to you or your spouse in your divorce, there are several types of alimony awards the court may choose. It is important to know the terms of your alimony arrangement so you can plan accordingly. Here are some examples of these types of alimony. Bridge the gap alimony: This is a type of alimony that…
IF YOU ARE LIVING WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND OR BOYFRIEND, AND LATER MARRY THEM, YOU NEED A CO-HABITATION AGREEMENT OR YOU MAY BE PAYING MAINTENANCE (f/k/a “ALIMONY”) FROM THE DAY THEY MOVED IN WITH YOU. THEY CAN ALSO HAVE YOU THROWN OUT OF YOUR OWN HOME. The most recent changes to New York State Family Court Act and Domestic Relations Law…
The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many Americans out of work. Many have filed for unemployment benefits but are experiencing extremely long wait times. Others may have stimulus money coming their way, but for those who do not get direct deposit, there have been reported delays with checks being issued that may take a while to resolve.…