Thursday, May 30, 2019

Compelling Film Portrays Children’s Experience in Court Custody Battle

Separated or divorcing parents generally have two options when it comes to child custody and parenting time for their children:  (1) to agree in writing on terms that include where the children will primarily reside, parenting time schedule, and how major decisions about the children will be made, or (2) leave it up to the court to decide child custody and parenting time.

Leaving child custody and parenting time decisions to the court, however, places children squarely in the middle of their parents’ custody battle.  And sadly with potentially lasting emotional harm.

Separated or divorcing parents can witness children’s experience first-hand in the compelling award-winning 2013 film “Talk to Strangers” produced by Connecticut attorney and filmmaker Larry Sarezky.

The dramatic film reveals the experiences of two siblings, a 9-year-old boy, and his 14-year-old sister, as they go through the court custody evaluation process.

This 25-minute film is one of the only outside divorce products ever endorsed by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.  Parents and professionals can view the film’s trailer and purchase the film, along with a 17-page Parents’ Guide, here.

Child custody evaluations are typically conducted by forensic psychologists.  Evaluations generally involve psychological testing of each parent, multiple interviews with the children and each parent, and with others involved with the family, such as teachers or health care providers.

The custody evaluator typically generates a report to the judge hearing the case.  The evaluator’s report includes all findings and recommendations on how custody should be awarded.  To find out how the court decides child custody and parenting time in New Jersey, see my previous post.

The custody evaluation can be extremely costly, generally ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 or more, not including court appearances or legal fees.  But the biggest cost by far, sadly, is the emotional cost paid by the children.

Therefore, it’s generally best for the children for separated or divorcing parents to reach a custody and parenting time agreement out-of-court, where they alone decide what’s best for their kids.

To find out the best way to reach an agreement on child custody and parenting time for your children, call or click here to schedule a personalized one-on-one consultation.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Is Technology Putting Our Essential Need for Social Connection at Risk?

There’s no doubt that social connection is essential to our work and personal lives.  According to this scientific article by Emma Seppälä, Ph.D, Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and author of The Happiness Track, research studies have revealed:

  • Social connection improves physical health and mental and emotional well-being.
  • People that have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.
  • By the same token, those who are not socially connected or more prone to anxiety, depression, and isolation.

According to Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW,  research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and author of several #1 New York Times bestsellers including The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly:

A sense of social connection is one of our fundamental human needs. . . Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment.

We may think we want money, power, fame, beauty, eternal youth or a new car, but at the root of most of these desires is a need to belong, to be accepted, to connect with others, to be loved.

Social connection can arise when a friend gets your joke, a coworker offers congratulations or when your spouse gives you a hug.  Other instances might include much-needed help when a friend offers to pick your kids up from school, emotional support when someone expresses empathy for your tough day, advice or different perspective, or validation when you’re going through a tough time.

Unfortunately, research reveals that loneliness is on the rise and social connectedness is significantly declining, according to Emma Seppälä, Ph.D.’s research.  Even when we watch or read the news these days, we might notice becoming increasingly disconnected from others.

While the widespread use of technology and social media certainly has its benefits, reliance on technological communication might also mean we are losing the ability to effectively communicate with each other in person.

For one thing, genuine empathy can’t be conveyed in a text message or social media post.  By definition, empathy is putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. To effectively communicate empathy, words alone are only a small part.  It requires tone of voice, body language, and even physical touch.

Social Connections at Work and in Business

In a recent Forbes articleCarol Kinsey Goman, international keynote speaker and author of The Silent Language of Leaders conducted an interview with Ulrich Kellerer, leadership expert and international speaker, on whether technology has killed face-to-face communication.

According to Ulrich, “when it comes to effective business communication, over-reliance on technology at work can be a hindrance, especially when it ends up replacing face-to-face, human interaction.”

As he says, “connection is critical to building business relationships.” Likewise, according to Ulrich, interpersonal communication is vital for a business to function internally as face-to-face communication drives productivity.  He emphasizes:

Having a personal connection builds trust and minimizes misinterpretation and misunderstanding. With no physical cues, facial expressions/gestures, or the ability to retract immediately, the risk of disconnection, miscommunication, and conflict is heightened.

Similarly, according to Goman, “in the midst of a digital age, face-to-face is still the most productive and powerful communication medium.”  She explains:

People are interpreting the meaning of what you say only partially from the words you use. They get most of your message (and all of the emotional nuance behind the words) from vocal tone, pacing, facial expressions and body language. And, consciously or unconsciously, you are processing the instantaneous nonverbal responses of others to help gauge how well your ideas are being accepted.

In addition, people remember much more of what they see than what they hear — which is one reason why you tend to be more persuasive when you are both seen and heard.

Social connection at home

At home these days, families might be spending more evenings staring at their phones than each other.  And as this study observed, if one person in a relationship uses technology more than the other can result in feelings of insecurity.

Likewise, according to Brené Brown in her #1 New York Times bestseller Daring Greatly:

We are hardwired to connect with others.  It’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.  One such moment is not that important, but if you’re always choosing to turn away, then trust erodes in a relationship—very gradually, very slowly.

What We Can Do to Increase Social Connection

It’s important to carve out time to foster our most meaningful relationships.  We can create as many opportunities as possible to check in, exchange ideas, and lend a supportive ear when needed.

You might assess to see if you have friends or family members who you feel comfortable to be around, who give you a sense you can tell them anything and can help you solve problems.

You might make sure to contact these people regularly.  Commit to spending a certain amount of time together without distractions from digital devices.  Make sure to tell them you appreciate their support and friendship.

If you feel you lack such people in your life, you might take action to develop your network by taking a class or joining the group to meet and develop relationships with people who share your interests.

Just as we might do to stay healthy with diet and exercise, it’s equally, if not more, important to develop and nurture social connections that are so essential for our well-being.

Like this post?  Sign up to our newsletter and receive more tips, updates, advice, and inspiration right to your inbox.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Divorce Lawyer Fees Demystified-What You Can Expect to Pay Your New Jersey Divorce Lawyer

It’s hard enough facing the prospect of divorce.

You never expected to have to deal with a divorce lawyer.  Nobody does.

You might know you should talk to a lawyer.  Yet you might be reluctant.  You just want what’s fair. And you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to some lawyer who just wants to “fight.”

It all seems like a big mystery.  And the uncertainty of it all can be daunting.

You just want to know how much the divorce will cost.  Here’s the lowdown on divorce lawyer fees.

Consultation Fee

Your first step is to contact and meet with a prospective divorce lawyer in what is typically called a consultation.  This is a confidential, in-person meeting to discuss and evaluate your situation based on applicable New Jersey divorce and family laws.

It’s common to pay a one-time fee for a divorce consultation.

Productive consultations generally take anywhere from about one to one and a half hours and result in an action plan plus an understanding of your rights and options.

Some divorce lawyers, however, offer a “free” consultation limited to a maximum of 30 minutes.  Free information is generally very limited, however.  After all, lawyers are in the business of being paid for valuable advice.  So, chances are you won’t get such valuable advice for free.

Hourly Rate

Most New Jersey divorce and family lawyers charge by the hour.  During your consultation, you will find out the hourly rate of the attorney primarily handling your divorce and family matter.  Generally, the more experience and expertise the lawyer has, the higher the hourly rate.

Retainer Fee

A retainer fee is a sum of money paid up front for the lawyer’s divorce and family legal services.  During the consultation, you will find out the amount of “retainer fee” the lawyer will require.

Many divorce and family lawyers typically determine the amount of retainer fee by considering factors such as the complexity of issues to be resolved, the likelihood of immediate litigation, and anticipated behavior of your spouse and/or his or her attorney.

For example, a retainer payment might be higher if:

  • your spouse’s lawyer has filed a court application;
  • the lawyer determines your interests would be best protected by filing an immediate application with the court;
  • your spouse’s lawyer is known for being particularly difficult or overly litigious; or
  • You have relatively complex commercial assets to be valued.

The lawyer then typically multiplies the number of hours estimated to be initially spent by his or her hourly rate.

At the consultation, the attorney typically gives you a written retainer agreement that explains how you will be charged and what happens if your retainer fee runs out before the end of the case.

Your retainer fee will be deposited into the lawyer’s attorney trust or business account and held in “trust” on your behalf.  You will be billed against the retainer fee until it is depleted.  In the event the entire retainer is not used, the unbilled amount will be returned to you.

Other Costs

In addition to legal fees, you would typically pay for costs such as court filing fees and courier services.  These costs are generally also billed against your retainer fee.  Larger divorce and family law firms might also bill you for photocopying and postage (which my practice views as the cost of doing business and adding value for clients).

Incremental Retainer Fee

A good divorce and family attorney will alert you when your retainer is on the verge of being depleted.  The lawyer should notify you that either that a new retainer fee is required (typically called an “incremental retainer”) or if invoices are to be paid monthly.

Fixed Fee or Non-Litigation Retainer

During the consultation, some divorce and family attorneys offer one single payment of a fixed or flat fee for specified services.  This allows you to pay only for certain legal services you might need at the time.

For example, I’ve offered flat fee payments to help clients decide whether New Jersey or another state is more appropriate for their divorce and family matter.  Or where clients would best be served by initial legal coaching to facilitate cooperation by their spouses on a custody and parenting time agreement.  Alternatively, we might offer a non-litigation retainer with lower retainer payment, depending on the circumstances and what the client wants to achieve.

Expert Fees

Many divorce and family law matters require outside professionals, such as accountants, real estate appraisers, or actuaries to determine values of certain marital assets.  Generally, you would retain and pay separately for such professionals.

Naturally, each divorce and family lawyer is different and fees often vary depending on the lawyer and nature of the law practice.  That’s why it’s so important to ask lots of questions during your consultation about fees and how you will be billed.

Please call or click here to schedule a personalized consultation.  Receive substantive legal advice and a customized strategy for your divorce or separation.

 

Thursday, May 9, 2019

A Divorce Lawyer’s Take on the Most Common Cause of Divorce and the Secret to Staying Together

What causes divorce?  As a divorce lawyer for over 20 years, I am entruJudge's gavel and two wedding bandssted with the most intimate details of the intensely personal stories of my clients.  And I am honored and humbled by their trust in me to walk beside them.

And to guide them to safety, security, and what I strive to be a better future for them.  I observe and I listen. Because they need me to.

Yet I can’t help but notice that the cause of most divorces is basically the same.  But it’s not the explanation for divorce that clients typically describe:

I met someone else.  Or he met someone else.

He never listens to me.

She criticizes me all the time.

He’s not affectionate.

She argues with everything I say.

He keeps to himself and doesn’t care whether I’m here or not.

We haven’t had sex in months (or years). 

But these are just the symptoms of the real and underlying reason why these marriages fail.

Divorcing spouses have simply stopped talking to each other. For a very long time.

As a result, the marriage has ultimately failed to meet one or both spouse’s needs.

As human beings, we all have the same essential needs:

To be loved and accepted.

To be connected, physically and emotionally.

To be respected.

To be heard and validated.

To be accepted and appreciated.

To be important, needed, and wanted.

So, what can we do to improve our marriages?

How can we get our needs met by the marriage and avoid divorce?

I’m not a therapist. Or a marriage counselor.  So, how would I, a divorce lawyer, know what keeps marriages together?

I just recently came across a book written by James J. Sexton, Esq., a prominent New York divorce lawyer, entitled If You’re In My Office It’s Already Too Late: A Divorce Lawyer’s Guide to Staying Together.

I’ve started reading this book and it’s fascinating how Mr. Sexton describes his keen and practical insights from years of working with divorce clients.  The goal of his book, as he says, “is to help you have a marriage in which the idea of coming to my office would only ever be the most momentary of fantasies when your spouse does something boneheaded.”

What I’ve learned, as well as in my own marriage, is this. The secret to keeping your marriage alive and strong is to give to your spouse what it is that you need.  Because in turn, you’ll begin to see your spouse giving that to you.

For example:

If you want to be loved, give love.

If you want to be respected, show respect.

If you want to be heard and validated, hear and validate your spouse.

If you want to be accepted, needed and wanted, accept your spouse.

Make it clear to your spouse that you appreciate him or her – and be specific.

What I mean by specific is something like “it really meant a lot to me when you [insert meaningful action.]  I know you have a lot on your plate right now and I feel it’s important for you to know how much I appreciate it.”

Generally, for men, however, actions speak louder than words.  So, for a husband, appreciation might be shown, for example, by offering an impromptu shoulder massage when he’s particularly stressed out.

By the way, whether you’re the husband or wife, an added bonus of all this appreciation-showing is this.  Whatever it is you want your spouse to do more of, point out how much you love it when they do it.

Through it all, I believe the most important thing is to always act with self-respect and integrity.   After all:

The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. ~Sonya Friedman

Like this post?  Sign up to receive our newsletter and receive more tips, updates, advice, and inspiration right to your inbox.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Can you Terminate New Jersey Alimony if Your Ex is Involved in a New Romantic Relationship?

What can you do if you’re paying alimony and suspect your ex is in a new romantic relationship?

Your ex might be “cohabitating” under New Jersey law.  If so, you can ask the court to terminate, modify, or suspend your alimony payments back to the time the cohabitation began.

What is cohabitation under New Jersey law?

Under current New Jersey alimony law, cohabitation “involves a mutually supportive, intimate personal relationship in which a couple has undertaken duties and privileges that are commonly associated with marriage or civil union but does not necessarily maintain a single common household.”

Therefore, the couple does not have to live together on a full-time basis to be considered “cohabitating.”

When determining if cohabitation exists, New Jersey courts will consider the following:

  • Intertwined finances, such as joint bank accounts and other joint holdings or liabilities.
  • Sharing or joint responsibility for living expenses.
  • Recognition of the relationship in the couple’s social and family circle.
  • Whether the couple is living together, the frequency of contact, the duration of the relationship, and other indicia of a mutually supportive intimate personal relationship.
  • Sharing household chores.
  • An enforceable promise of support from the romantic partner.

What if you were divorced before September 2014 (when the current New Jersey alimony law became effective), and your divorce agreement contains an alimony provision for cohabitation?  You would then need to prove your ex-spouse shares a common residence with the romantic partner.

What is the process to reduce or eliminate alimony?

It’s common for the spouse receiving alimony to hide the true nature of shared financial and living arrangements.

At the same time, you need to be able to show your ex-spouse is cohabitating by deliberately and carefully gathering the right evidence.

Only then will you be able to file a motion with the court and meet your legal burden.  The legal burden requires an initial prima facie case that your ex is cohabitating in a serious relationship.  The term “prima facie” means the evidence you submit to the court is accepted as correct until proved otherwise.

Otherwise, a premature court filing without sufficient basis will not only be rejected; it will likely doom any future applications about the same relationship.

If the court deems the evidence sufficient, it may grant you the right to gather more conclusive evidence, including financial records.

Proving cohabitation is a daunting task.  If successfully done, however, it could ultimately save much money if alimony were to be terminated back to the time of cohabitation.

 What type of evidence should be gathered to prove cohabitation?

An experienced private investigator can help gather compelling evidence of cohabitation.  Private investigators can monitor social media activity and establish patterns of cohabitation activity by surveillance.

Make sure to outline the scope and focus of the investigative efforts with the investigator to ensure financial resources are used wisely.

For instance, in working with a private investigator, you might have investigative efforts focus on:

  • Searching for an association with the romantic partner’s address, such as mailing address, cell phone or other publicly available accounts.
  • Reviewing text and email communications with your ex-spouse for inferences of a relationship or plans to be away.  This can help to pin down dates for surveillance or other investigatory tools.
  • Documenting the couple leaving the home together in one vehicle and going to such places as restaurants, gyms, doctor appointments, or other destinations.
  • Showing the couple packing belongings into one car for the weekend, stopping for groceries, dinner, or another store, and heading to their common destination.
  • If there are two homes in play, both should be considered.   For instance, the private investigator might photograph both vehicles together at one residence late in the evening and again perhaps at 5:00 a.m. on the following morning.  If enough of such instances can be strung together, evidence that the couple actually lives together can be captured.
  • Show the couple regularly involved in family and social circles.  For instance, photographs of the significant other accompanying the children or other family members or driving and arriving at a location together.
  • Creative private investigators might also examine discarded garbage placed at the curb of one of the homes for pickup (which is generally admissible in court), for papers or other helpful evidence to determine the couple’s lifestyle and spending habits.  These might include financial statements (credit card, bank, and business accounts with account numbers, location, and amounts; Envelopes from financial institutions with return addresses; paper deliberately torn into pieces; love letters, cards, notes and phone numbers of friends and relatives (even handwritten notes about plans to move, vacation, etc.).

The longer surveillance and other investigative activities continue and demonstrate ongoing comings and goings of the couple, the more credible a court application is likely to be.

Be Proactive

If you are not yet divorced, you can avoid the above post-divorce process by including a cohabitation provision for alimony in your divorce agreement.

Such a provision should clearly define what “cohabitation” means and its effect on alimony payments.

Every situation is unique.  For more information on how best to modify or terminate alimony or to settle your divorce out of court, please call or click here.

 

 

Friday, April 26, 2019

Five Powerful Ways to Reach Successful Agreements in Business and in Life

Knowing how to skillfully interact in business and personal relationships is key to successful agreements – with clients, customers, employees, even your spouse or kids.

School teaches us to read and write.  We don’t get formally educated on how to build and strengthen interpersonal relationships.  Or on what to say and how to say it so everyone can get what they want.

And with the ever-increasing number of people texting and tweeting, opportunities to learn and acquire such essential skills are disappearing.

So, it’s important now more than ever to get a handle on the basics.  Here are 5 powerful ways to reach successful agreements with anyone.

1.          Know your goals.

Before any negotiation, know what you want to come away with.  The secret is to get the other person to want to cooperate with you.  And keep in mind your overall goal is to get the agreement.

2.          Step into their shoes.

Think of how you might view the situation if you were the other person.  What problem would you experience if you were them?  What would you find helpful?  Be sincere in your desire to help them find a solution to what they view as the problem.

3.          The Right Mindset.

The right state of mind is essential to staying calm in the midst of any heated negotiation.

Our default is to become defensive when faced with angry or critical remarks.  But reacting defensively will only ignite the situation.  And then before we know it, we’ve become part of the problem.

But if we take our ego out of the equation, then our assumptions, judgments, and expectations disappear.

It helps to keep this in mind – people spouting off generally don’t mean what they’re actually saying.  They’re upset.  So, to stay focused on ultimately directing the result you want, ignore the words.

According to attorney and mediator in Clovis, California, Doug Noll, “the number 1 best way to not become triggered is to ignore the words.  No matter how insulting, disrespectful, or threatening the other person is, ignore what they are saying.”

Mr. Noll recommends a technique he developed called “affect labeling” and “core messaging.”  Essentially, it works like this.  If you want to calm someone down, listen for the emotions behind the words.

According to Mr. Noll, if we can stay focused on what the person’s emotions are in that moment, your ego goes away. You will remain calm and centered.  And you will not feel like you have to defend yourself and “win.”

This “calm” state of mind is practiced in Asian cultures, particularly in the Japanese martial art of Aikido.  We also see it when athletes are “in the zone” and with actors when they improvise.

We can all do this.  It takes practice.  Like riding a bike, it requires practice to become automatic.  You might try meditation or another activity designed to improve focus.  Then you can call upon this skill in any negotiation and whenever you can’t anticipate what someone will do.

4.          Choose your words.

Decide exactly what you want to say.  What is the specific point you want to get across? Choose your words deliberately and intentionally.

Then paint a specific picture of what you want the other person to see.  Use both your words, tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language.

It’s human nature to listen to any idea or proposal by asking yourself “what’s in it for me?”

The most effective salespeople can skillfully interact and listen.  They use words to show specifically how someone will benefit from what they’re selling.  It can also be very effective to put what you want them to do in terms of what they have to gain or lose.

Of course, it’s important to do your preparation before any negotiation.  And you can also figure out what your counterpart is likely to agree to simply by stepping into their shoes and listening carefully.

Essentially, the more specific you are about helping people see what you want them to see in a way that shows what’s in it for them, the more agreeable they’ll be.

5.          When things get heated.

The key to persuading someone to do what you want is to show respect – something we all want.  When we disrespect others, whether by making them feel bad or putting them down in front of others, we create enemies.  We lose trust.  And we lose the power to influence a result or reach agreements.

If you repeatedly interrupt the other person to correct them or argue your case, they’ll only dig in more that they’re right.

Instead, you can neutralize an angry tirade with something like “I hear you” or “I can certainly understand that.”  Follow up with “and” not “but” – anything that comes after the “but” will be all they hear.   For example, you might say “I hear you and I want to make sure I hear you correctly.”

If you need to interrupt a particularly long-winded verbal attack, do so with tact.  To effectively interrupt, you might try simply raising your hands slightly while saying “hang on” or “just a second.”  Follow it up with “I want to make sure I heard you right” or “I want to make sure I understand what you’re saying.”

Then paraphrase what you heard.  For example, using Doug Noll’s technique, you can say “Okay, you are feeling [emotion] because of [reason].  Is that right?

It’s not important if you’re right or not.  Just make a guess at what they’re feeling.  You’ll know it when they feel heard when they knock their head and visibly calm down.  At that point, they’re much more likely to listen to you. Use this opportunity to defend yourself and reaffirm that you appreciate their input.

This can be an extremely effective way to build trust and reach agreements much more quickly and successfully.

Knowing who you’re dealing with and communicating in his language is one of the most valuable skills you can have.  When you cultivate this skill with practice until it becomes a habit, you’ll begin to reach agreements easily with anyone, at any time, anywhere.

And the best part is that whether in business, at work, or at home, relationships will flourish.

Please share this post with those who would find it helpful.  For a customized strategy on how to successfully reach an out of court settlement, please click here.

Monday, April 15, 2019

Four Steps to Take Charge of Your Divorce and Save Big on Legal Fees

For many New Jersey divorces, spouses can enter into written agreements without going to court.  Then, all a court needs to do is to legally dissolve the marriage.

These agreements, typically called Marital Settlement Agreements, outline terms dealing with child custody and parenting time, alimony or spousal support, and how the marital assets and debts will be divided.

Likewise, legal fees in reaching agreements out of court are generally a fraction of those where a court decides the issues.

Below are 3 powerful ways to take charge of your divorce and save time, money, and stress, while paving the way for successful co-parenting of your children.

1.          Talk to your spouse.

It’s very common for divorcing spouses to become caught up in the emotional conflict that often comes with divorce.

But it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way if you have a plan in place.

And if you have children, it’s important to keep in mind that you will be tied to your spouse for the rest of your life through your children.

Therefore, when you want to divorce, you should tell your spouse carefully to gain his or her cooperation in reaching an agreement out of court.

All too often, when spouses avoid each other, one or both end up hiring the kind of lawyer who will aggressively take the case to court.  This only drives up costs and emotional turmoil.

So, the key is to get your spouse on board with reaching a Marital Settlement Agreement out of court and using settlement-oriented lawyers.

For instance, in my firm, we map out a strategic plan with clients and what it takes to achieve a successful Marital Settlement Agreement with the other spouse.

Clients can also take advantage of personal coaching and tips of what to say, how to say it and when.  Some tips are included in this post.

It’s also very important to suggest to your spouse that you each get legal advice.  Be selective about each choosing settlement oriented lawyers to consult with.

2.          Lay the groundwork for the outcome you want.

It’s a good idea to start by listing all assets and debts acquired during the marriage by either or both of you.  Include values and balances.   For anything you don’t know, obtain copies of financial documents.  Here is a checklist of significant divorce documents you should obtain.

3.          Be selective when consulting with lawyers.

Make plans for you and your spouse to each consult with a settlement-oriented family law attorney.  Make sure to learn how to best resolve the issues out of court.

For instance, our clients receive a “packet” of materials that lays the foundation for the Marital Settlement Agreement, which includes custody and parenting time schedules, financial worksheets, and referrals to additional professionals as needed.

It’s also important to work with a competent divorce and family lawyer to make sure you don’t overlook significant provisions that could result in costly court intervention after the divorce.

In addition, there are certain things where the fairness of divorce agreements is largely determined by New Jersey law.

These include amounts and duration of alimony, and how certain types of assets are distributed, like retirement plans, premarital assets, inheritances, businesses, and lawsuit settlement proceeds.

It’s also a good idea to consult with your financial advisor to find out how much money you’ll need to meet your expenses after the divorce and save enough for retirement.

4.          Agree on the terms.

Decide what you want to achieve in a divorce agreement before negotiating with your spouse.  Identify what matters most to each of you.  For example, it might be important for you to have a certain amount of funds in retirement, while your spouse feels strongly about keeping the marital home.

Likewise, by you and your spouse each having a settlement-oriented family law attorney, the Marital Settlement Agreement can be drafted and finalized before you even go to court to finalize the divorce.

Please call or click here to schedule a personalized consultation and receive substantive legal advice and a customized strategy for your divorce or separation.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

― Abraham Lincoln