The COVID-19 pandemic has effected nearly all aspects of life.  This includes court proceedings, which are now mostly conducted remotely via computer or other digital means.  A common question among individuals that are subject to a custody order of court regarding their child or children is whether custody or custody orders of court are modified or somehow changed because of COVID-19.  In general, custody orders and the terms contained in such orders have not changed because of COVID-19.  Courts still require parents to follow and abide by the terms set forth in the custody orders of court, including completing custody exchanges and following the established custody schedule.

However, there are instances in which COVID-19 does have an effect on custody and custody orders of court.  Although custody orders of court must be followed, the court still expects the parents and the children to comply with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the state, and the county requirements for COVID-19, including travel restrictions, social distancing, and mask obligations. Below are a few additional questions and answers to help you navigate this topic.

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Categories: Custody, Divorce

Tax time can be stressful, and some tax years can be more complicated than others – especially when a couple is facing a divorce. This is because there are more tax issues to consider when a divorce is involved. From your filing status, to claiming dependents, to your tax refund, there are many items to consider when preparing a tax return during or after a divorce.

Because divorce can be complex and taxes can be complicated, we highly advise that you lean on your experienced divorce attorney to guide you through any questions or issues you come across when filing your tax return. To help you think through the process, we have put together the following questions and answers regarding taxes during or after a divorce:

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Categories: Divorce, Tax Issues

If you are faced with a divorce today, there are many more avenues to consider regarding the divorce process than there were years ago. Some of your options may include a traditional divorce which involves relying on the court to make the final decisions, mediation which allows you and your spouse to work together on a solution to divorce via a neutral third party, and collaborative law which is similar to mediation, but with each party being represented by collaborative attorneys.

Choosing which path is right for you depends on your situation. You may not be on speaking terms with your spouse or may feel that your spouse is keeping information from you, which may lead you to choose the traditional route, or you may have a trusting relationship with your spouse and are interested in taking the collaborative law approach. Because collaborative law is new for many, and can be a great option to consider, we have included the top questions and answers below regarding the collaborative process:

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Categories: Collaborative Law, Divorce

One of the major worries that many experience when going through a high net worth divorce is that of protecting their assets, and rightfully so. Assets can make or break someone’s future and can also impact the future of their children if children are involved. Due to this, when someone who has been in this situation is ready to remarry, the thought of their assets may be top of mind.

Protecting assets in a new marriage can be even more complicated and important – especially if one or both of the parties involved is a high net worth individual. If you are someone in this situation, or if you anticipate getting remarried, consult with an experienced attorney about how you can protect your assets to ultimately protect your future and the future of your family as you start this new journey. In addition, we recommend keeping these tips in mind:

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Categories: Family Law, Prenuptial Agreements

Divorces are not easy. They are emotional, stressful, and often involve many financial expenses. If you are planning a divorce, you may feel overwhelmed when thinking about all of the different factors that you will have to sort through – from spousal and child support to distribution of property and life insurance. Because of these factors, we highly recommend that you lean on a divorce attorney who has the experience to guide you through the process and achieve the best outcome for you and your family.

In addition to consulting with your experienced divorce attorney, we encourage you to step back, take a breath, and evaluate the situation and what is to come before making any sudden decisions because these decisions will impact your future. Below are some additional tips to keep in mind as you plan for your divorce:

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Categories: Divorce

A high net worth divorce is more complicated than a typical divorce in many ways. The topics of business interests, real estate, finances, and investments, among other items, create a more complex situation.

One of the best things you can do if approaching a high net worth divorce is to lean on an experienced divorce attorney. The right attorney for your case will help you navigate all the topics that will come up as part of the divorce process. In addition to contacting your divorce attorney, you can also educate yourself on some divorce topics so you feel more mentally prepared. To help you get started, we put together the below list of tips to keep in mind if approaching a high net worth divorce:

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Categories: High Net Worth Divorce

Many couples who are experiencing difficulties in their marriage consider separating from their spouse before taking that drastic next step of getting a divorce. They may try to take time apart to sort out their differences in hope that they can come together again to reconcile their marriage – especially if their marriage is more complex (e.g., they are in a high net worth marriage, children are involved, or they own a family business).

If you are thinking about separating from your spouse, you may be wondering what a separation is, how that differs from divorce, and what your options are. Below are some questions and answers to help you navigate this topic:

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Categories: Divorce, Family Law

There are many hardships that people may think about when the topic of divorce comes up – that of sharing custody of your children, splitting your assets, and dealing with the emotional side of things, especially if you believe you were treated unfairly, subjected to abuse, or if your spouse was not faithful in your marriage.

While a divorce may not be easy for someone to overcome, there are a few upsides to consider. If you had issues in your marriage that led to divorce, those issues will most likely dissipate after your divorce is final, and you can take time to rediscover yourself and create a new path for your future. One item that many overlook as being positive during a divorce is that of finances; however, there can actually be some financial perks as a result of a divorce. Below are some of the financial advantages to consider:

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Categories: Divorce

When a couple is approaching marriage, the last thing they probably want to discuss is the topic of prenuptial agreements. The topic is not easy to bring up and may make someone feel that their soon-to-be spouse already anticipates their marriage failing. However, in reality, the topic of prenuptial agreements can help to ease anxieties about unfortunate circumstances that can arise such as death or divorce.

If one of the individuals that is getting married has a high net worth, a prenuptial agreement may be more often considered since there is so much more at stake in this type of marriage. Having a good premarital agreement means understanding and recognizing the rights, assets, debts, and income of a future spouse, especially in the case of high net worth individuals. If an agreement is something that you are considering, and if you or your soon-to-be spouse is considered a high net worth individual, below are some Q&As to help:

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Categories: Agreements

Life after divorce can be scary if you do not know what to expect, and for many, that may be the case. If you are approaching a divorce and feel like you do not know what is ahead for you, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to find an experienced divorce attorney that you can trust and lean on throughout the process. With that task accomplished, you can feel confident for what is ahead. Another way you can feel more prepared is by doing research – especially on the items that worry you the most.

One of the items that you may be unsure of as you approach your divorce is that of employer-based benefits. If you have health insurance through your soon-to-be ex-spouse’s employer, will you and your family remain covered? If you are the policyholder through your employer, will you have to keep your ex on your plan? What happens to life insurance, dental coverage, and 401(k) plans? The topic of employer-based benefits is complicated and there is much to keep in mind. Due to this, we have outlined some of the information you may need below:

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Categories: Divorce