One of the most significant problems with QDROs is not having them prepared before the divorce is final. The reason this is such an enormous problem is that after the divorce is final, the former spouse has no rights to something that was not legally […]
Dividing property can be one of the most challenging and complex pieces of a divorce. What appears to be an easy decision such as “I want the house, you keep the investments,” may in the end deliver a settlement nobody bargained for. Jan and Neal […]
Dividing a family business can present many issues, so here are a few examples common issues and the outcomes. The first issue is making sure to get a professional valuation of the business. Let’s pretend that Joe and Patty had been married for 35 years, […]
A few states place monetary value on degrees such as a medical degree, a dental degree, or a law degree. That’s not the case in Colorado, so the value of a degree needs to be evaluated in a different way. Some corporate employees have many […]
Once the dust has settled, follow these steps to get back on track with your finances. Get the lay of the land Before you can find your feet, you need to know exactly what’s going on with your money. That means pulling your head out […]
For simplicity, let’s assume that the wife is the lower wage-earning spouse in the examples below. If a couple has been married for 10 years or longer and they get divorced, the wife is still entitled to half of her ex-husband’s Social Security Retirement Benefits […]
One of the most often missed topics in divorce planning is basis. Whether we’re talking about the house, stocks or other real estate, knowing the basis is a must when taking on the task of separating property. Consider the following case study. Kris and Brian […]
Normally, distributions made before the participant attains age 59 ½ are called “early distributions,” and are subject to a 10% penalty tax. The tax does not apply to early distributions upon death, disability, annuity payments for the life expectancy of the individual, or distributions made […]
No one can predict when or whether that fateful “yes” they said on their big day will turn in a resounding “no”, with them ending up being served divorce papers. It’s a traumatic experience and a draining process, both emotionally and financially. Still, it’s sometimes […]
The divorce rate in the U.S. has steadily fallen over the past two decades, with the latest statistic putting 2.5 per 1,000 marriages ending in divorce or annulment. But while overall rates are dropping, people over 50 have actually seen a rise in divorces. Dubbed “gray divorce,” data from Pew Research Center show that […]