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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.
Most people think of marriage as a declaration of love and commitment, not as a legal contract that defines the financial and familial obligations of each party. That is, until they start negotiating a divorce settlement and discover their state’s policy on the division of marital property and spousal support. Although not every couple establishes a...
Mediation is one form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that allows parties to seek a resolution for their conflict without the time, expense, and uncertainty of a court trial. Parties work with a mediator, who is a neutral third party. Usually, mediators have received some training in negotiation or their professional background provides that...
You are purchasing a home, and the escrow officer asks, “How do you want to hold title to the property?” In the context of your overall home purchase, this may seem like a small, inconsequential detail; however nothing could be further from the truth. A property can be owned by the same people, yet the manner in which title is held can drastically affect...
Discussing your desire to establish a prenuptial agreement with your future spouse has the potential to be a complete disaster, but approaching the topic with the comfort of your partner in mind can help alleviate much of the stress associated with the process of creating a premarital agreement. A prenuptial agreement is a legal document drafted and signed...
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,...
Considering how you hold title to your real and personal property, as well as any beneficiary designations you have created, is a key piece to Total Estate Planning. The title and your designated beneficiaries will control how your real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, vehicles and investments are distributed upon your death, regardless of...
While the vast majority of adoptions involve adults adopting children, all states have laws that permit “adult adoption,” in which a person 18 or older is adopted by another adult as mutually agreed by the parties. Some states may restrict adult adoptions to cases where the person being adopted is of diminished capacity. If the person being adopted is...
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...
According to the National Census Bureau, grandparent-headed homes are among the fastest growing household types in the United States. Grandparent-headed homes are defined as living arrangements where the primary financial and caregiving responsibilities are held by one or more grandparents rather than a parent. In addition to grandparent-headed homes,...
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...