The Not-So-Golden Years, Part 1
{3:36 minutes to read} I had a recent mediation that has caused me to consider how to address the future consequences that face a spouse who left the workforce for many years during the time [...]
Who Sets and Enforces Ground Rules in Mediation?
{2:42 minutes to read} My friend, Chip Rose, is a mediator in California. One of the things he believes is that it is the responsibility of the mediator to control the process while the clients [...]
The Cost of Litigated Divorce
{2:54 minutes to read} When I first meet with my clients, one thing that I almost always discuss is, at least for most couples, the challenge of finding a way to live separately on [...]
There Is No Predictability in Divorce
{2:18 minutes to read} At a recent conference, I sat in on an update on the law. The presenter, who was an attorney that was very knowledgeable about divorce law, was reviewing various cases and [...]
Social Insecurity
{2:48 minutes to read}I recently attended the Annual Conference of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation where one of the presentations dealt with Social Security and divorce. During the session, the presenter stated [...]
No Pension? No Worries, Part II
{3:06 minutes to read}A recent survey found that many middle age and older people fear that they will run out of money in retirement. While there are many reasons for this concern, 2 major factors [...]
How to Lose Custody
{2:24 minutes to read} The law with regard to custody is fairly simple to recite. A court will award custody to the parent it feels has the “best interest” of a child in mind. I [...]
“Equitable” Distribution?
{3:36 minutes to read} When mediating their divorce, many couples want to know “what would happen if we went to court.” I suppose for many of them they want to be assured that what they [...]
Divorce & Debt
{3:54 minutes to read} Many people are under the impression that they are responsible for the debts of their spouse simply because they are married. But, Getting married does not necessarily make you responsible for [...]
Putting the Children First
{3 minutes to read} In my last post I outlined how the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) works in New York. I recently worked with a couple who created an agreement that worked much better [...]