Getting divorced is generally acknowledged as a difficult endeavor emotionally, but its impact of your finances can also present challenges, especially in the often-overlooked area of retirement benefits such as Social Security. To protect yourself, you’ll want to become well versed in the following ways that divorce can impact your Social Security benefits: Get to know the decade factor. If…
Although financial issues are part of many divorces, money troubles don’t usually end when couples choose to dissolve a marriage. In fact, many individuals are highly tempted to try hide assets from the other party, especially when a significant level of money and investments are at stake. Some actions to shield these resources may be deemed acceptable under an asset…
Although the overall rate of divorce is on the decline, the same may not hold true for those in the 50 and older range. So-called “gray divorces” are on the rise and present their own set of difficulties and issues to resolve. Since 1990, the divorce rate has doubled for those over the age of 50, and more than doubled…
For many years, fathers have argued for more parity in custody arrangements. But instead of making their case to a judge, they are now helping promote bills that would alter state laws pertaining to custody arrangements. As recently reported by the Wall Street Journal, 20 states are currently considering legislation regarding shared parenting. The proposals call for judges to “maximize”…
Divorced parents may worry that their former spouses speak badly about them to their children, but when do a few negative comments cross the line and become psychologically damaging to a child and destroy the parent-child relationship? Parental Alienation Syndrome, or PAS, occurs when a parent actively tries to distort a child’s perception of the other parent so that they…
A major source of stress on a marriage often occurs when one partner falls prey to a serious illness. Although many marriages can and do weather the storm of sickness, a new study indicates that the likelihood of divorce increases substantially after illness, particularly if the wife is afflicted. Researchers studied divorce rates among couples where one spouse was diagnosed…
A child’s preference for living with a parent can affect custody decisions in many states, including New York. However, while most judges will consider a stated preference, they are still obligated to rule in a way that protects a child’s best interest. Judges have a great deal of leeway when they make custody decisions. Among the factors they may consider…
Although all couples experience stressors to their marriages, those living abroad as expatriates (commonly called “expats”) often find these difficulties are amplified when living a new culture, far from friends, family and their previous support systems. According to a new study on expat marriages, the so-called “trailing” spouses of expat workers often feel isolated and without an identity in their…
Long Island attorney urges people to divorce before they cheat. Ashley Madison, the dating website that helps married people commit adultery, has been hit by hackers. “Ashley Madison” has millions of customers who have provided their credit card and personal information to the site in the hopes of linking up with other customers for casual, anonymous affairs. It caters to…
For years, Facebook has been used as a way to connect people, but recently it became the vehicle to sever the bonds of marriage. While admittedly a nontraditional approach, a Brooklyn judge recently approved the use of Facebook to serve divorce summons. The summons was sent via a private message from a 26-year-old nurse’s Facebook account to the defendant who…