Even in amicable divorces, property division negotiations can stall over certain assets with high monetary or sentimental value. Couples who are not able to reach a compromise through settlement negotiations or mediation sometimes search for a method of resolution that avoids the cost and uncertainty of litigation. If the parties are willing, there are a few nontraditional ways to finalize…
With widespread layoffs again in the news, many Americans are realizing how many negative consequences are associated with losing a job. Of course, the most immediate effect is the income loss that can inflict immense financial strain on a household even when a fired worker receives severance pay and unemployment benefits. A termination can also be emotionally devastating as people…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the massive disruption to everyday life caused many people to re-evaluate how they approached their job. This led to a phenomenon frequently referred to as “quiet quitting.” Employees who take this path don’t immediately send their resignations to their bosses, but check out mentally and stop making the effort to excel at their job. This might…
Fifteen years after New York became the last state to legalize no-fault divorce, there are additional efforts to revise the state’s Domestic Relations Law so that spouses can move on more easily from a marriage that is not working. If a bill currently in the State...
Many conflicts over property division in a divorce center on whether certain assets should be classified as marital or separate property. At a glance, it might seem that these designations are fairly simple. Most assets accumulated while a couple was wed are part of the divisible martial estate unless a valid agreement between the parties says otherwise. Conversely, property that…
Over the past five years or so, inflation has made it more difficult for many families to meet their daily needs in the already expensive New York metropolitan area. Parents are particularly vulnerable when prices rise on staples such as housing, food and clothing. To lessen their burden, mothers and fathers who receive child support are eligible for a cost-of-living…
In nearly every situation where parents live apart, children benefit when they speed significant time with both parents. Unfortunately, there are instances where there are concerns about a young person’s safety during visits with a father or mother who has a history of violence, neglect or substance abuse. Frequently, the parenting plan in these cases will include supervised visitation, where…
All types of financial assets accumulated during the course of a marriage are subject to division between the parties in a divorce. For certain holdings, such as cash in a joint bank account, distributing the proceeds among spouses is a fairly simple task. Likewise, the value of stocks and bonds can be assessed using current rates. When marital property includes…
Holidays can be joyful, but gift-giving sometimes causes stress for parents in the weeks leading up to Christmas and Hanukkah. The pressure can be particularly intense for parents who are divorced or separated. Even when a mother or father is simply trying to make the season magical for their child, there are several ways in which a present can trigger…
When a couple decides to divorce and their marital estate must be divided between them, a threshold issue is determining which assets qualify as separate property and which must be allocated among the parties. Often, this is a fairly simple analysis. Property owned by an individual prior to the marriage usually stays with that person once the divorce is finalized.…