Monthly Archives: March 2016
Signs of a Bad Marriage
Divorce happens all the time, and for a variety of different reasons. Even couples in happy marriages can be caught off guard by something unexpected that may lead to divorce. While most people do not get married expecting a divorce down the road, many people wonder if there are any signs that indicate that a relationship may be headed towards divorce. Thanks to research from psychologists at the University of Washington and the University of California at Berkeley, we now know there may be four tell tale behaviors that may exist within your relationship that could indicate you and your partner are headed towards divorce. While only you and your partner can truly determine if you are happy and compatible, if you notice that you or your loved one exhibits any of these four behaviors frequently, you may be in trouble.
Understanding Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Marriage is a celebration of love and commitment between two partners hoping to spend their lives together. While most couples enter marriage with the best of intentions, divorce statistics in the United States show that many couples do not have a happily ever after. For this reason, many divorce attorneys and other specialists encourage couples to consider prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. While discussing the dissolution of your marriage before it has begun can seem unpleasant, when properly drafted and implemented, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can truly benefit both spouses. Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are no longer only utilized by America’s wealthiest couples. Here is what you need to know.
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Preparing for Divorce: Common Financial Mistakes People Make during Divorce
Divorce is a stressful, complicated process, and those going through it are easily susceptible to making mistakes. If you are struggling to cope emotionally with your divorce, your finances – both short and long term – may not be on the top of your mind. If you are going through a divorce, however, you need to be aware of a few mistakes you may be making that could potentially impact your finances for years to come. Divorce specialists say there are a few common financial mistakes their clients make during divorce, and encourage those about to protect themselves from them. They Do Not Budget Budgeting seems to be a problem for Americans. A recent Gallup poll showed that only one third of Americans create and follow a household budget, so it comes as no surprise that people do not budget for divorce either. Before filing, sit down and review the future costs of your divorce. Additionally, budget for your life as a newly single person. Will you be working? Will you be receiving maintenance or other support? They Do Not Get Their Assets Valued If you want an accurate idea of how much you and your ex will be receiving from your divorce settlement, you need to know the value of everything you owned together. While having your house appraised during a divorce may seem like a hassle, it really is the only way you can plan for your settlement. Similarly, if you or your spouse has a pension, get it valued. They Do Not Gather All of Their Important Financial Documents Experts say that not having a complete picture of your shared finances is one of the easiest ways to make financial mistakes during divorce. While nobody enjoys sifting through financial records and other important documentation, you need to know your complete financial picture before moving forward too far. Another common mistake is not reviewing these documents. Simply gathering the information is not enough; you must understand it. If you do not have an accurate understanding of your family’s finances, how can you move forward? They Forget About Taxes All too often people find themselves with a large tax bill after divorce. Taxes can affect many parts of your divorce, so it is essential to understand the tax implications of your settlement. They Only Hire a Lawyer While hiring an experienced divorce attorney is certainly one way to help ensure a smooth divorce process, you may need other help. In complex divorce situations, for example, when multiple businesses are involved, or a variety of investments are involved, you may need to seek additional help. A financial planner or another specialist with a financial background can help you ensure you are making the best decisions possible.
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How to Coparent with a Narcissist
If your ex spouse is a narcissist, that was likely one of the major reasons behind your divorce. While your marriage may be over, if children are involved, you and your ex have a responsibility to remain linked for the sake of your children. Coparenting with a narcissist can be challenging. If your ex is constantly seeking to antagonize you, belittle you, and rile you up, making parenting decisions together can be extremely difficult. While there is no magic trick that can make coparenting with a narcissist suddenly easier, there are a few tips and tricks you can employ to keep things smooth between the two of you.