Estate planning, elder law, family transitions, business planning – the legal issues that affect your family are always evolving. Jennifer writes regularly to keep you informed, educated, and empowered. Browse the latest articles below, or search by topic to find what you’re looking for.
Going through a divorce can be painful, overwhelming, and stressful. It's the end of one chapter and the start of another in your life. Although it might be the right decision, you're forced to confront various issues. For example, you and your ex must agree to the terms of the divorce, such as child support, alimony, and property division. However,...
If you are contemplating divorce there are many things to think about. A divorce can impact all areas of your life and you don't want to go in to the process blind. Here are just a few things to consider. Sheer Change for All Involved Humans are built to seek a comfort zone. This doesn’t necessarily mean a positive comfort zone, just simply any situation...
Divorce is never easy. It is hard to think about ending your marriage. Unfortunately, there are times when it is unavoidable. As we move into the new year, we all start to reexamine our lives. If you've been unhappy in your marriage it may be time to consider, “is the new year time for divorce?” Is Your Marriage Impacting Other Areas of Your Life We often...
There are many circumstances that can impact an estate plan, not the least of which is your marital status. Spouses are granted a wide variety of rights to each other’s property in the event of death or divorce. While the laws do vary from state to state, there is often a difference in how marital property is treated compared to non-marital or separate...
As many can attest, going through a divorce can be a difficult experience and the process can become contentious. Even after the spouses reach a settlement, conflict may continue to arise, particularly when a parent fails to make the required child support payments. In these cases, it may be necessary to take legal action to enforce the child support...
Let's face it: getting divorced can be an emotionally charged experience, particularly if the proceedings become contentious. One way to avoid the acrimony that can arise in a marital breakup is by pursuing an approach known as collaborative law divorce. Collaborative Law at a Glance There are three overarching principles of a collaborative divorce. First,...
According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, in recent years 81% of its attorneys have represented clients in cases involving evidence from social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. Posted pictures and comments can make the job all-too-easy for an attorney looking to attack the credibility or competency...
Marriage is a commitment, but in theory, it’s supposed to be a long and happy commitment. In order to give yourself the best chance at future marital bliss, you should have a frank “money matters” conversation with your partner-to-be before you tie the knot. Marrying someone with substantial debts can impact major life decisions like buying a house,...
Regardless of how long you have been married, negotiating a settlement is the most important part of the divorce process. Although it is no easy task, working with your spouse to arrive at mutually agreed terms of your marital dissolution is easier on your wallet and your psyche. Whatever conditions caused the breakdown in the marriage are likely still...
Workplace romances are never advisable, but sometimes co-workers or business partners fall in love and get married. Unfortunately, they also sometimes fall out of love and get divorced. What happens next? While a divorce between co-workers can be awkward, a divorce between business partners can be especially complicated. For some couples, the end of the...
It is not unusual to have a family business. A business owned by one or both spouses, where one or both spouses work. A family business can be a wonderful thing while the spouses are happily married. But what happens in a divorce? Depending upon the type of business and the individual situation, the division between you and your soon-to-be ex may be...
“Do it yourself” divorce is fraught with risks – even if your case is “simple” and both parties agree on all issues regarding division of property, support, and child custody and visitation. As many have learned the hard way, it is all too easy to make critical missteps today that will come back to haunt you down the road. The proliferation of DIY websites...