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An Apology (and a Moving Box or Two)
I owe a few of my former clients an apology.
For years, I’ve been a loud and proud proponent of selling the house during a divorce. I’ve said it so often I could probably do it in my sleep: the spouse who stays usually overpays, gives up too much in retirement assets, and ends up struggling with the monthly upkeep. Meanwhile, the clients who sell? They get a clean slate-emotionally, financially, and even geographically. They usually get going with their new lives faster and they generally do it with a better financial settlement.
I still believe all of that.
But now, I’m moving out of my own home of twenty years, and—well—I get it now.
Continue reading...How to Spot Financial Deception in Divorce
During divorce when emotions are careening out of control, one spouse often believes that the other could be hiding assets.
Continue reading...Holidays Are Hard for Divorcing People. How to Help Them Cope.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…" Charles Dickens was writing about the contrast between London and Paris in the late 18th century during the French Revolution, but it as applicable to divorce during the holidays. Maybe more so.
Continue reading...Retirement Accounts: Asset or Stream of Income?
Retirement accounts in divorce are unique because they are both marital assets and deferred income earned during the marriage. Yet courts, attorneys, and even conciliators often treat them rigidly, pensions in pay status as income, IRAs and 401(k)s as assets, without fully accounting for the financial reality. Ignoring this dual nature can create inequitable outcomes, particularly when the spouse receiving support has sufficient resources.
A recent case in my practice illustrates this tension and, frankly, the frustration of advocating for clients when common sense is overlooked.
Continue reading...Divorce & Dollars: 7 Smart Financial Planning Tips for a New Start
How Financial Planning Month Empowers You to Navigate Divorce with Confidence
Continue reading...Hidden Costs You May Not Have Considered When Moving During Divorce
Moving and divorce—they’re both life experiences that bring a lot of change, likely a lot of stress, and a lot of financial questions. And when these two events coincide, the change, stress, and money issues can start to pile up.
But there are proactive measures you can take to reduce the pressure and put yourself in the best financial position possible.
Continue reading...Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome: Recognizing and Addressing Manipulated Income in Divorce
Divorce cases are rarely straightforward when it comes to finances, but few issues present as consistent and frustrating a challenge for practitioners as Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome. This phenomenon refers to the sharp and often suspicious decline in reported income by one spouse—typically coinciding with the onset of divorce. While the drop may be explained away as coincidental or circumstantial, more often than not it reflects a deliberate strategy designed to influence support calculations and asset division.
For attorneys, financial experts, and valuation professionals, understanding how Sudden Income Deficit Syndrome presents itself, why it occurs, and what forensic tools can expose it is essential for equitable outcomes.
Continue reading...10 Red Flags That Could Signal Financial Deception in Divorce
Divorce requires honesty and transparency, especially when it comes to money. Unfortunately, not every spouse plays fair. Hidden accounts manipulated business records, or undisclosed debts can all skew the financial picture and leave one party at a disadvantage.
The good news? There are warning signs. By recognizing the red flags of financial deception early, you can take steps to uncover the truth and protect your client’s share of the marital estate.
Continue reading...Alimony: A Dual Challenge for Both Spouses
Divorce is never just a legal process—it’s a life transition. When spousal support, or alimony, enters the picture, the stakes and emotions run even higher. Both the spouse paying and the spouse receiving face financial uncertainty, fear, and a need for clarity. As divorce professionals, our role is to help both sides move from overwhelm to empowerment with fair, informed, and sustainable solutions.
Continue reading...Keys to Helping Improve Finances for Single Parents
Single parents often face unique challenges, not just raising kids, but also creating a financial path toward success. With the cost of health care, food, school, and more ever increasing, being successful on one income is a huge barrier for more than 37 million parents — or roughly 30% of households in the United States.¹
While many moms and dads report struggles with finances, there are ways to help improve your finances and be proactive with your financial future in the short- and long-term.
Continue reading...
