Category Archives: Divorce
How Professional Degrees Impact Divorce
A professional degree, certification or license is more than a piece of paper. It is a gateway to an enhanced income and better life. Moreover, while only one person’s name can be on a degree, others — especially a spouse — may have contributed greatly to making it possible. That is why professional degrees can… Read More »
Be Smart With Social Media During Divorce
Even if a couple parts under friendly circumstances, divorce is often difficult and frustrating. Handling all aspects of divorce in New York, our attorneys often see the effects of electronic communication on the cases of our clients. Too often, spouses do not realize the impact of an email or Facebook posting on the eventual outcome… Read More »
Estate Plans and Divorce: What You Need to Know
Both parties in a divorce must address estate planning issues to help ensure there are no surprises after divorce — or even in the event one spouse dies at any time before a divorce’s finalization. The issues cited in a January 2008 Report of the Surrogate’s Court Advisory Committee resulted in a rewrite of existing… Read More »
The Tax Impact of Spousal Maintenance Requires Careful Consideration When Negotiating the Terms of Divorce
Taxes should be a major consideration when negotiating the terms of divorce. At its simplest level, the party who makes any type of payment defined as spousal maintenance under federal tax laws can deduct those payments, while the recipient must declare the payments as income. Qualified taxable income Although the IRS does not consider payments… Read More »
When Pursuing a Mediated Divorce Is a Mistake
You’ve probably heard about the cost benefits and lack of adversarial encounters associated with divorce mediation. Granted, these qualities are appealing and are actual advantages — but only when the nature of your divorce is suitable for mediation. Otherwise, mediation can saddle you with an outcome that’s anything but favorable. A Forbes magazine article aptly… Read More »
Can Men Win Spousal Support in NY?
There was a time when spousal support, then almost universally known as alimony, was unidirectional — husbands paid wives. This was based on the traditional view of marriage, where women were either solely housewives or employed at far lower-paying jobs, thus making them financially dependent on their husbands even after divorce. Today, the courts look… Read More »
How Long is This Going to Take?
One of the questions our clients inevitably ask is, “How long is my divorce going to take?” Unfortunately, there is no single answer. Divorces can be resolved relatively quickly or take an extremely long time, depending on a number of factors unique to each couple’s situation. Potential areas of contention The most common issues that… Read More »
Splitting Assets and Dividing Debts in Divorce
Many divorcing spouses wonder why they are not entitled to an exact 50 percent split of the household assets, but what they do not realize is that courts divide assets equitably in a divorce — not necessarily equally. Courts consider a variety of factors when deciding how to divide family belongings. A good lawyer can… Read More »
Asserting Your Paternal Rights
Ariel Castro, the Ohio man accused of holding three women captive in his home in Cleveland, has been confirmed as the father of a six-year-old girl that escaped from the house along with the other women. Castro, who has been indicted by a grand jury on 329 charges for rape and kidnapping, was found to… Read More »
What Should Be Addressed in a Parenting Agreement?
There are innumerable issues to consider when creating a feasible and beneficial parenting plan for your child. For many parents, it is challenging and overwhelming, especially when the other parent is uncooperative. Of course, when a New York court reviews a parenting agreement, it has the child’s best interests in mind. The State of New… Read More »