Traditional divorce and child custody processes are predominately adversarial in nature. In a typical "war-of-the-roses" divorce scenario, spouses each hire an attorney, and then a variety of expert consultants enter the fray on both sides to produce "dueling" business evaluations, financial analyses and/or custody evaluations. This type of divorce can go on for many months or even years, … [Read more...]
Four Ways to Get a Divorce, Part 1
Once you have decided to get a divorce, another very important decision awaits you and your spouse: which path are you going to take to secure that divorce? This may surprise you, but in Texas, you have a choice in how you get divorced. However, how you get divorced can be more important, or at least just as important, as your decision to seek divorce in the first place. So, I will be outlining … [Read more...]
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, making the best financial decision. I advise clients to set aside emotions and consider all the significant, interrelated factors before they decide on what happens to the house. Consider the … [Read more...]
Hello clients, friends and colleagues! Goodbye Hurricane Harvey
I hope each of you came through Hurricane Harvey unscathed, but I know many of us did not. My heart goes out to those of you whose homes, cars and property were affected or destroyed by flood waters that blanketed the greater Houston area. I am one of the fortunate ones whose home was not flooded. Yet, like many of you, my daily life is still being affected by high water in many places to the … [Read more...]
Research and reflect on divorce before you file
Still considering divorce, but not yet ready to file? In my experience, the most prepared couples who divorce, have reflected on the decision over many months or even years. So, if you find yourself thinking about divorce, know that you are not alone. Yet, also realize that being stuck in between is nowhere to be either. Here are some questions from a psychotherapist to ask yourself if you are … [Read more...]
Watch for “Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome” if your soon-to-be Ex owns a business
My experience working with divorcing couples has taught me a few things. For one, I expect each spouse to focus on his and her own financial self-preservation, which is understandable. Quite often, though, the husband transitions into this mind-set long before the wife does -- sometimes even before the divorce papers have been filed. This can and does leave many women vulnerable to some financial … [Read more...]
Looking for clues of bad behavior during divorce (part two)
In part one of our blog post with this headline, we discussed a variety of red flags to look for during the divorce process that may indicate a spouse is behaving badly. We also offered tips to better protect yourself against such behavior, as well as how to educate yourself about the divorce process and what to expect. In this blog post, we will take our examination of bad behavior during … [Read more...]
Looking for clues of bad behavior during divorce — Part One
In my many years of advising couples and individuals on how to achieve an equitable divorce, I have seen antics on both sides that can only be described as “the good, the bad and the down-right ugly.” It is unfortunate, but true, that couples embarking on divorce sometimes behave badly during the process. Many professionals who work in this space say, “divorce can bring out the worst in otherwise … [Read more...]
Preparing financially for divorce will help avoid costly pitfalls
Divorce can be a long and arduous process once it gets started. If you can buy some time before you file, doing your homework ahead of time may produce big dividends. Read books and learn all you can about the divorce laws in your state. Timing your divorce may also be financially wise. Meeting with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst such as myself also can provide you with a deeper … [Read more...]
Your divorce may require the assistance of a financial expert
Given the complexities of today’s financial landscape, it may be in your best interest to consider securing specific expertise to help you sort out and evaluate the financial aspects of your divorce. One important thing to remember is that most family law attorneys, even when experienced in divorce, are not trained to address financially complicated divorce issues. As a key participant in … [Read more...]