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...]
Don’t forget these marital assets in your divorce
Often, many of the women I work with on their divorce finances know very little, sometimes nothing, about their marital assets (or liabilities for that matter). This is gradually changing, but surprisingly, still exists. Maybe the husband has simply kept the information largely to himself, or the wife doesn't feel she understands finances like she should, so leaves it up to her spouse, or she … [Read more...]
Divorce and employer bonuses
An often overlooked asset that should be legally divided in a divorce settlement is the company or employer bonus. Many attorneys forget to address the community nature of such bonuses. Even if they are paid in the year following divorce, company bonuses are partially community property. Bonuses are paid for the preceding year’s services or performance. The settlement agreement or divorce … [Read more...]
Preparing financially for divorce will help avoid costly pitfalls
Doing your financial homework before you file for divorce can help you avoid a host of potentially costly pitfalls. Learn all you can about the divorce laws in your state and consider engaging a team of experts to get you through. The timing your divorce may also play a role in the financial outcome of your divorce. Meeting with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, such as myself, also can … [Read more...]
The special needs child and divorce
While all children need the continued support and care of parents, children with special needs require unique consideration during and after a divorce. The financial support allotted to a child post-divorce is usually determined according to the family code of each state. Such support for a special needs child can be adjusted based on the unique needs of the child in question. Adjustments … [Read more...]
Ten facts about divorce that may surprise you
Myths about divorce abound. For one thing, divorce laws vary from state to state. So, quite often, people are confused due to what they have heard about celebrity divorces, or a friend or family member's divorce in another state. To help bridge this knowledge gap, I have compiled a list of ten facts about divorce that may surprise you. You may be responsible for debts incurred by your spouse … [Read more...]
Social Security benefits 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, you may qualify to receive Social Security on the work record of your ex-spouse. However, you must meet several requirements for qualifying to receive these benefits. You also must consider at what age to start taking those benefits. Here are … [Read more...]
Divorce and Company Bonuses
An often overlooked community property asset to be equitably divided in a Texas divorce settlement is any company or employer bonus given to one or both of the spouses involved in a divorce. Sometimes attorneys fail to address the community nature of bonuses. Or, they forget to ask if either spouse typically receives, or is expected to receive, an annual or other type of bonus as part of his or … [Read more...]
Should you buy a house before the divorce is final?
Most of us don’t have the option of buying a home during the process of divorce due to financial constraints. But while a fortunate few may have the resources to afford the down payment, mortgage payments, property taxes and upkeep, careful thought should still be given to this idea. Going through a divorce is highly stressful. You are likely experiencing a wide variety of emotions right now, … [Read more...]
How to prepare for divorce mediation
The use of mediation as an alternative to the courtroom has become increasingly popular, especially in the divorce process. It’s affordable, confidential and achieves results. In last month's blog post, I wrote about the many faces of divorce mediation for Houston area couples. Mediation, in one form or another, is now an integral part of most divorces in Texas and many other states. Some … [Read more...]