I Hate Daddy’s New Girlfriend
In my previous blog I addressed the idea of creating a “dating agreement” for a couple who had ended their marriage but who were still living together. Today I would like to discuss a related issue. [...]
Still Living with Your Soon-to-Be Ex? A “Dating Agreement” Might Help
Many of my clients have been “separated” from their spouse for quite some time, even though they are not living apart. I am talking about couples who decided long ago that their marriage was over, [...]
Preliminary Private Planning Sessions – Do They Work?
I just attended the Annual Conference of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation (NYSCDM) where I heard the keynote speaker, Forrest (Woody) Mosten, discuss “47 Things” every mediator should know or do. One [...]
The Affordable Care Act and Health Savings Accounts
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) may allow you to open a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have a “high-deductible” plan. Here’s how it could work and why it might be worth considering. A Health [...]
Legal Advice vs. Legal Information
Are two attorneys better than one? This is the story of two couples who each wanted to end their marriage without becoming engaged in a lengthy and costly court battle. Unfortunately, they each obtained a [...]
A Parental Shift
In the not-too-distant past, most custody agreements provided that the children would live with mom, and dad would enjoy “visitation” on alternate weekends, and perhaps one evening each week. But nowadays I am seeing more [...]
Parental Alienation
While I guess it should not surprise me, I see many court cases that deal with a parent who is so angry with his or her former (or soon-to-be former) spouse that they allow that [...]
No Pension? Why an Annuity Might Be Right for You
In my last post, I discussed the concern I have for someone who trades his or her interest in a pension for, most commonly, the house. Despite the fact that I almost always suggest to [...]
Trading a Pension for the House? Think Carefully!
A traditional pension, as opposed to a retirement account such as a 401(k) or an IRA, provides a life-time income stream to the employee, based upon a combination of his or her years of service [...]
Grandparents and Divorce
As the grandfather of four, I could not imagine my life without my grandchildren. And I believe the feeling is mutual. That is why I am saddened whenever I read a court case about a [...]