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You are here: Home / Archives for Blog / Divorce Planning

Civil service pensions and divorce

November 16, 2020 By Patricia Barrett

Civil service pensions and divorce

Retirement and pension plans can be the largest marital asset to divide in a divorce in terms of value. This is especially true in cases of long-term marriages. And equitably dividing these financial assets in a divorce can be quite complicated, depending on each couple's individual situation. For example, if one or both spouses in a divorce is a current or retired federal employee of the U.S. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Planning, Uncategorized Tagged With: civil service pensions and divorce

Spousal and Child Support During Divorce

March 2, 2020 By Patricia Barrett

Dealing with the Spouse  It is especially important to be business-like with your spouse, since emotions can interfere with negotiations. Don’t let old battles rekindle. Refuse to continue a meeting that degenerates into a battle. While you want to be clear about what is important to you, try not to make your demands excessive. Never use your children as a pawn to hurt the spouse or draw … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, children and divorce, Divorce Planning, Divorce Planning, Financial Planning

Finding hidden assets and debts in a divorce isn’t as spooky as you think

October 29, 2019 By Patricia Barrett

Finding hidden assets and debts in a divorce isn’t as spooky as you think

I am often asked to help divorcing individuals track down potential assets or debts of their spouses during a divorce. It can be an arduous job, sifting through piles of paper -- pouring over bank statements, credit cards bills, and tax records. In the past, I have had to rely primarily on traditional tools-of-the-trade and my own experience in order to sniff out hidden monies or debts, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Planning, Financial Planning, Uncategorized

Social Security and divorce

September 3, 2019 By Patricia Barrett

Social Security and divorce

Decisions about filing for Social Security benefits will affect you financially for the rest of your life. And if you have gotten divorced in the past, or are preparing for divorce now, you may qualify to receive Social Security on the work record of your ex-spouse, and later on your own work record, if you qualify under the current rules of choosing which benefits to file for and when. You must … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Planning, Financial Planning Tagged With: divorce and Social Security, divorce finances, divorce financial planning, Social Security benefits and divorce

What happens to the family home in a divorce?

May 24, 2019 By Patricia Barrett

What happens to the family home in a divorce?

The question of what happens to “the house” in a divorce is often one that requires careful consideration. In my experience, this issue is often clouded by emotions that can get in the way of the couple, or one spouse, making the best financial decision. I advise my clients to pause, set aside emotions and objectively consider all the significant, interrelated factors before deciding on what … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Divorce Planning, Divorce Planning, Financial Planning, Financial Planning Articles, Women's Issues for Divorce Tagged With: divorce finances, divorce financial analyst, divorce financial planning, divorce in Texas, divorce settlements

What is an equitable divorce settlement?

January 28, 2019 By Patricia Barrett

What is an equitable divorce settlement?

I am often asked to help divorcing individuals and couples determine how to equitably divide their marital estate. This may seem to be cut-and-dry, but it rarely is. For one, many people believe that the court will automatically divide a couple's assets 50/50 in a divorce. This a myth. The Texas Family Code (the laws on divorce) uses the words “just and right” when dividing community assets … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Divorce Planning, Divorce Planning, Financial Planning, Financial Planning Articles

Is your spouse hiding assets, income or debt?

January 7, 2019 By Patricia Barrett

Is your spouse hiding assets, income or debt?

I If you are currently in a dysfunctional marriage, or considering divorce, you may be wondering if your spouse could be hiding assets, income or debts from you. Sadly, your fears are not that unusual. In fact, financial mischief is fairly widespread among couples today, even if they are not in the process of divorce.  According to a study conducted by The National Endowment for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Planning, Divorce Planning, Financial Planning, Women's Issues for Divorce Tagged With: divorce finances, divorce financial planning, divorce in Texas, hidden assets in a divorce

Hiring the right financial expert to help with your divorce

December 14, 2018 By Patricia Barrett

Hiring the right financial expert to help with your divorce

Most couples seeking divorce are aware that they will likely require help from a divorce attorney. Fewer couples realize that as they enter the nuts-and-bolts of the divorce process, they will have many questions about the financial side of divorce. Questions such as: Who will pay for their children’s education and medical treatment?How do we calculate the value our assets?How should we divide … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Divorce Planning, Financial Planning Tagged With: certified divorce financial analyst, divorce finances, divorce financial planning, divorce in Texas

Five proven benefits of gratitude — even if you are going through divorce

November 21, 2018 By Patricia Barrett

Five proven benefits of gratitude — even if you are going through divorce

Facing difficult life challenges, such as going through a divorce, may not seem like a logical time to be thankful. Yet studies have shown that cultivating gratitude, even when the chips are down, can have profound impact on our health -- for the better. Gratitude improves physical health. A 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that grateful people exercise … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Planning, Divorce Planning, Women's Issues for Divorce Tagged With: dealing with divorce, divorce in Texas, Divorce Planning, handling stress of divorce, preparing for divorce

Dividing pensions in a divorce may require special financial assistance

November 9, 2018 By Patricia Barrett

Dividing pensions in a divorce may require special financial assistance

If you and your spouse are considering, or are in the process of divorce, and one or both of you has a corporate or civil service pension, know that all pensions are not created equal. This fact is extremely important to understand as you proceed toward an equitable division of your marital estate. In dividing pension benefits in a divorce, your attorney will be required to create a QDRO … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Divorce Planning, Divorce Planning, Financial Planning, Financial Planning Articles Tagged With: certified divorce financial analyst, dividing pensions in divorce, divorce finances, divorce financial planning, divorce in Texas, preparing for divorce

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From Our Blog

What happens to the family home in a divorce?

The question of what happens to the house in a divorce requires careful consideration. In my experience, this issue is often clouded by emotions that can get in the way of the couple, or one spouse, … [Read More...]

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