Divorce

Loose Lips Could Sink Settlement for Mel Gibson Girlfriend

A few slipped sentences to radio host Howard Stern could spell a significant financial loss for Oksana Grigorieva, the former girlfriend of actor Mel Gibson. A Russian pianist and singer, Oksana Grigorieva gained household recognition in the United States as the girlfriend of actor Mel Gibson. When the relationship soured, allegations and audio recordings emerged to paint a painful portrait…

Professional Degrees as Property in a Divorce

When a spouse earns a professional degree or license during a marriage, that spouse’s increased earning potential is marital property subject to equitable distribution in New York. Experience has shown, however, that the principle is far easier to articulate than to execute. Consequently, recent reform efforts are aimed at eliminating that section of the law. Reform proponents point to the…

New York Divorce Statistics

It’s normal to feel isolated when you are facing the end of your marriage. The truth, however, is that you are far from alone. Tens of thousands of people go through divorce every year in New York State. With the help of an experienced domestic relations attorney, you can see the process through to a fair resolution and move on…

Splitting up a Family Business During Divorce

When a family business is part of the marital estate, the already complex asset-division process becomes even more complicated. This is especially true when the spouses launched the business together. Continuing to jointly operate a business isn’t feasible for most ex-spouses, so it’s generally necessary to divide the business or its value in a fair manner. There are several options…

BFF: When Custody Actions Involve Dogs

In New York and across the United States, pets are often beloved family members. As man’s (and woman’s) best friend, a pet holds a special place in the heart of its owners — and on court dockets when its owners split up. Such is the case of Joey, the miniature dachshund. In a case before the Supreme Court, New York…

Asset Protection: Should You Care About Bitcoin?

In the past year, Bitcoin has become a household word. If heading for divorce, should you care about alternative currencies? During 2013, the United States Senate began an investigation into the value and theory of alternative currencies like Bitcoin. Despite wild fluctuations in price, an agent for the Secret Service testified at a November hearing before the Senate “[t]here are…

Settled: The Murdoch Divorce Matter

It has been a tough couple of years for 82-year-old Rupert Murdoch. The Chairman of News Corporation continues to endure fallout from a British investigation following a hacking scandal. At present, editor Rebekah Brooks — a Murdoch favorite — remains on trial for conspiracy. Closer to home, Mr. Murdoch filed to divorce his wife of 14 years, apparently taking Ms.…