Jeffrey Meshel was married for 12 years — but he wasn’t exactly living in marital bliss. He was very unhappy for the last several years of his marriage — he describes it as “more of a cohabitation” than a relationship — but the Midtown East resident, 57, didn’t want to get divorced because he didn’t…
Divorce and Family Law Blog
How Divorced Parents Lost Their Rights
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — MY wife and I disagree, sometimes vehemently, about how best to raise our four children. She’s a lawyer, and I am sure the thought of suing me has crossed her mind once or twice. But she cannot. American courts consistently refuse to entertain child-rearing disputes between married parents. In 1936, the New…
Deciding To Become A Stay At Home Mom? Consider This Cautionary Tale
There’s a story I’ve heard countless times over the years, from both clients and colleagues. The details vary from one couple to another, but in general, the plot goes something like this: Out of school, Amy and John each landed plum jobs in their fields. They worked hard and made excellent salaries, affording them the…
Alimony Deduction Requires Good Substantiation
Until recently, I had a hard time understanding why there are so many alimony tax cases. I mean, after all, it is wash, right? One party has a deduction against AGI. He or she, probably still usually he, puts the recipients social number down and the recipient picks up the same amount as income. Then…
Uncovering Hidden Assets in Divorce Litigation
If you’re considering hiding assets in your divorce, you might want to think twice. Alternatively, if you’re concerned your spouse may be hiding assets from you know that you have options. For better or worse, the reality is when marriage gets tough people often hide money. Regardless of their wedding vows, many couples experience such…
Pets increasingly at center of divorce battles
Can you imagine being separated from your adorable, furry companion? Increasingly, pets are becoming subjects of contention for couples undergoing divorce. In some cases, pets are even included in prenuptial arrangements, also known as “pre-pups.” There are nearly 179 million cats and dogs living in U.S. homes, according to the Human Society of the United…
The Important Difference Between a Merging and Surviving Separation Agreement
It is not uncommon for a spouse to want to modify certain provisions of his or her Separation Agreement after a divorce. As time goes on, circumstances will most certainly change for the former spouses. However, not all Separation Agreements are modifiable. Before a spouse files a modification action, it is important to ascertain whether…
Home schooling and child custody
When parents split up, and there is a dispute over who is to get primary custody, judges generally decide this based on what they see as “the best interests of the child.” One recurring question is whether a judge may consider the ideology that a parent is teaching the child— for instance, may a judge…
Important Documents a Spouse Should Bring to a Consultation with a Divorce or Family Law Attorney
If you are thinking it has come the time to file for divorce, or any other important family law matter, there are certain types of documents a spouse or parent should always bring with him or her when meeting with a lawyer for the first time. Being prepared with these documents can assist an attorney…
What Happens When a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement is Invalidated in Massachusetts
Both prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements can be valuable tools for spouses. It can give guidance regarding the division of assets and support in the event of a divorce or a spouse’s death. It gives some predictability and certainty, which is not always guaranteed in the circumstances of a divorce in which there is neither…
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