Filing Tax Returns after Divorce, Part 3

divorce and taxesIn two recent posts we looked at some aspects of income tax filing for newly separated or divorced individuals, and specifically some of the tax implications of support payments, including child support and spousal support. Today we are going to look at some of the tax implications of dividing marital property in divorce. Understanding tax treatment of property transfers is not only important for filing taxes correctly, it can also help with decision-making. For example, you may want to reconsider buying out your spouse’s share of the family home if you think it will leave you with a high tax liability down the road. Read more

10 Surefire Ways To Have An Apocalyptic Divorce

are you caught in an apocalyptic divorce? Can you really get divorced without the conflict and drama? Yes! Here are the top 10 things NOT to do if you want to avoid an apocalyptic divorce. To help minimize tension don’t… Read more

New Jersey Trial Court Says You Can Pay Child Support Directly To Your Children

paying child support for older childrenJudge Lawrence Jones, Superior Court judge in Ocean County, New Jersey recently ruled that a parent is permitted to pay his child support directly to his child, and not the child’s other parent. Could this happen in your child support arrangement?   Read more

When Is The Right Time To Start Dating Again After Divorce?

Are you ready to date again after divorce?After years of being miserably married, you’re raring to hit the dating scene again. But not so fast! Despite your free-bird status, you may not be ready for a romantic entanglement. The last thing you want right now is to find yourself in a new relationship before you’ve emotionally divested yourself of the old one. How do you know when you’re REALLY ready to date? Here are some key signs… Read more

How To Stay Married: 8 Dos and Don’ts

saving your marriage

We understand that big marital problems like infidelity and substance abuse can spell divorce, but it’s often the little things that can make or break a marriage. Trying to repair your relationship? If both spouses want to give their union another chance, here are a list of do’s and don’ts we’ve seen time and again help couples stay together. Read more

Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Top Things People Consider When Leaving A Marriage

deciding to divorceDisagreement is inevitable in a marriage, and a certain amount is healthy. But some differences truly are irreconcilable and no amount of negotiation or couples therapy will save a marriage between two fundamentally incompatible people. Wondering if you should stay or go? Here are some key issues that may help you answer this all important question. Read more

Will You Marry Me…And Can We Have A Prenup, Please?

How to ask for a prenuptial agreementWith almost 50% of marriages ending in divorce, and many of those divorces leading to protracted battles over assets, having a prenup can prevent arguments should the marriage end. But how do you tell your fiancée you want one without sounding dubious about your wedding vows? Or that you love your money more than you love him? Here’s how to bring up the subject without killing the romance. Read more

Why Is January Called Divorce Month?

Why is January called Divorce Month?

January 1st rings in more than the New Year; it also marks the beginning of Divorce Month. What earned the first month of the year this unusual nickname? According to the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers, the number of people filing for divorce jumps by 30% nationwide in January compared to preceding months. As for why so many couples make divorce their New Year’s resolution, here’s a look at some of the most common reasons. Read more

6 Perilous Divorce Mistakes Women Make

divorce mistakes made by women Divorce is one of the most difficult life transitions anyone can face, but the truth is, everyone handles divorce in their own way. Women going through divorce can face unique stresses and may be more prone to making certain errors and missteps during the process (the same goes for men, which we will explore in a future blog). Here’s a look at some of the most common divorce mistakes women make – and how to avoid them. Read more

Putting Narcissism & Divorce into Perspective: Negotiate with Caution

divorcing a narcisst In a couple of recent posts, we discussed what it can be like to go through a divorce from a narcissist. In “Divorcing a Narcissist: 5 Steps to Protect Yourself” we talked about how your narcissistic soon-to-be-ex-spouse might blame you for everything and try to control every aspect of the divorce—including your post-divorce life. In “Divorcing A Narcissist: 5 Strategies For Getting Through It” we offered some tips for defusing high conflict interactions with an ex who feeds on conflict and will stop at nothing in trying to gain the upper hand.

If you’ve been reading all of this and you recognize your own ex in our descriptions, you might be feeling more than a little bit discouraged and intimidated. Perhaps you were hoping for a low conflict divorce, were considering mediation, or at least hoped to settle some of your issues out of court. If your ex is so self-centered that seeing anyone else’s side is out of the question, how can you possibly proceed?

Well, take a deep breath and a step back while we take a closer look at some of these issues: Read more