Divorce Post-Decree Mediation Family Law Property Division

Gimmick wedding dates more likely to divorce

Laura E. Shapiro - December 19, 2016

Did you know that marriages occurring on Valentine's Day or special number days like 12/13/14, etc. are more likely to fail than a wedding on any other random date?

Economists from the University of Melbourne published a report which indicates their study found weddings on date fads are five times more likely to crumble.

Couples who married on Valentine's Day were 11 percent more likely to divorce by the time they reached the five-year mark.

Remaining financially secure during divorce

Laura E. Shapiro - December 14, 2016

Divorce comes with many hurdles and things to consider, especially if you made the decision (mutually or individually) around the holidays.

You are not alone.

The end of the year not only represents holiday stress and cheer but also assessment of years' gone by, reflection and starting anew with the pending New Year.

What is legal separation?

Laura E. Shapiro - December 5, 2016

When couples start to think their marriage is near its end, sometimes they move to separate homes. This physical separation is not a status change in the eyes of the law.

Legal separation is a process that recognizes a new marital relationship and allows for continuation of some benefits while officially separating most financial and caregiving elements.

Four mistakes women over 50 make during divorce

Laura E. Shapiro - October 4, 2016

Divorce for those over 50 (often called "gray divorce") is becoming more and more common. However, as older couples split up, it can pose a serious threat to their financial security.

This is particularly true for women.

So what should you do to protect your future? You can start by avoiding these four common mistakes:

Keeping the house through a divorce

Laura E. Shapiro - September 23, 2016

Divorce is never easy, but at least financial assets can be split using general math.

When it comes to property, how do two people who lived in one house reach agreement?

Even after you've decided who will live where, there's still the matter of house payments and value.