Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Divorce and Your Finances

Divorce is a life event that can have a significant effect on your financial situation. Beyond the emotional stress of going through a divorce, there are many other issues to settle: what to do with the house, the cars, and sometimes even the pets. And, not the least of your concerns, there are financial issues to deal with, such as the potential impact on your taxes and investments.
Although no one solution applies to everyone, there are a few fundamentals you need to understand if you ever find yourself in this situation. Like all tax laws, the rules governing divorce are complicated, and you should always consult your attorney and tax advisor about your specific situation. But we can provide you here with a brief overview of some of the issues that can arise.
For one thing, your tax situation will change as a result of a divorce...

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For more information, contact the Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at www.familylawmarin.com

Parents' divorce Is Hard On Kids — No Matter How Old

Question: My wife and I have talked about divorce for years. Now that our kids are 13 and 14, we really do not agree on parenting and we are thinking about making the break, but we wonder if we shouldn't wait until the younger is 18 and off to college.
Answer: Battling parents often ask us what we think about waiting "for the kids' sake," and we will tell you what kids have told us: Most kids, no matter their age, vote against their parents' breakup. The exception: when one parent has been subjected to violence, addiction or mental illness. Older kids understand infidelity as a reason, but younger kids have no concept of infidelity, so discussing it with them as a reason for the breakup just confuses an already confused child.
Don't bet waiting will make it easier on your kids. Eighteen is only a number arbitrarily assigned to adulthood – many kids really struggle with the changes associated with taking the next step after graduating from high school. Many have told us stories of desperation the first time they returned home from college for the holidays after Mom and Dad separated. Nothing was the same...

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For more information, contact the Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at www.familylawmarin.com

Monday, December 22, 2008

Divorce Enquiries Rise Amid Economic Crisis

Divorce lawyers and financial advisers are seeing a 50 per cent increase in the number of enquiries amid the economic crisis.
Numbers have risen significantly as couples seek to reach an agreement before fears of a prolonged recession become a reality, they said.
Spouses with money are keen to sort out a deal while the value of their assets is low and those without concerned about missing out if their partners assets drop further in value.
It comes after Madonna - who reportedly has an estimated fortune of £275 million - separated from her husband Guy Richie this week, triggering what could be the biggest divorce payout by a female celebrity.
Traditionally, the busiest month for couples to get divorced is January when they realize after a fraught Christmas that they cannot continue their relationship any longer...

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For more information, contact the Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at www.familylawmarin.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

More Moms Paying Child Support Say Top Divorce Attorneys

CHICAGO, Oct 01, 2008 - Latest National Survey also Reveals Increase in Payment Amounts:
More women are paying child support these days, according to the latest survey of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). In all, 55% of the respondents have cited an increase in the number of mothers who have been assigned to make child support payments over the past five years. Additionally, 42% of the divorce attorneys have seen the size of overall payment amounts rise during the same period of time.
"The changes in our society are almost always reflected in divorce courts and the legal system. The issues involved with child custody payments are certainly not an exception," says James Hennenhoefer, president of the AAML. "If one spouse is better suited to provide financial care, it is in the best interests of the court and all parties involved to put the needs of the child first.

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For more information, contact the Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at www.familylawmarin.com