Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has banned all attempts to prohibit gay marriage across the United States, same sex couples are reaping all of the benefits, including the ability end an unhappy or unsuccessful marriage. The Supreme Court decision actually came after the state of Pennsylvania started recognizing same-sex divorce, though. In May, a federal judge ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and Governor Tom Corbett indicated that he would not appeal the … [Read more...]
Complex, High Net Worth Divorce
Often, the most difficult and time-consuming part of a divorce proceeding is the divisions of marital debts and assets. When the marital estate is extensive, with multiple homes or properties, extensive investment portfolios, real estate investment properties, business interests and retirement funds, the process can be even more challenging. Is There a Valid Prenuptial Agreement? It's not unusual, where one or both parties are bringing extensive assets into a marriage, for the parties to … [Read more...]
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
The Advantages of a Prenuptial/Postnuptial Agreement If you are considering getting married, but you have substantial net worth or children from a prior marriage, you may be concerned about the loss of your net worth in the event of a separation or divorce. A prenuptial agreement can help you ensure that you don't unnecessarily or unfairly lose your property, allowing you to focus on your relationship, instead of worrying about what you might lose. The Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement The … [Read more...]
Dividing Retirement and Investment Accounts
The Distribution of Retirement and Investment Assets Upon Divorce One of the more challenging components of a divorce is often the division of debts and assets. Though much personal property can be easily allocated, and real estate is often sold or appraised at fair market value as a part of the settlement, dividing investment and retirement plan assets can be tricky. Retirement Plan Assets There are typically two ways that retirement accounts can be divided as part of a divorce: Pursuant … [Read more...]
Dividing Business Interests in a Divorce
Dividing Business Interests in a Divorce According to a recent federal report, nearly 4 million businesses in the United States are jointly owned and operated by spouses. Even when both spouses aren't involved in the ownership or operation of the business, a family business is generally considered a marital asset, subject to division when parties divorce. Experts say that the best way to protect yourself and your business in the event of a separation or divorce is to have a "business … [Read more...]
Military Divorce
Many Find It Difficult to Serve Country and Be Married at the Same Time The demands of serving in the armed forces can take a toll on a soldier's married and family life. Armed forces personnel can be deployed at a moment's notice, and may be gone for months at a time, without regular communication. Soldiers may have little opportunity to be with and bond with their children as they grow. The anxiety and stress that all parties feel when one spouse is in active combat or training can put an … [Read more...]
Divorce and Religion — Which Religions Are More Likely to See Divorce?
Study Looks at Connection between Divorce and Religious Practice In a national study on the relationship between religious practice and divorce rates, researchers found some interesting—and surprising—trends. Though the common perception is that half of all marriages end in divorce, the study showed that the national average is actually around 36%. One of the first surprises of the study—those who are self-proclaimed atheists are among the least likely to seek a divorce. The research … [Read more...]