August 23, 2011
1. Hold an inclusive meeting
If possible, both parents should be present. Doing so sets a precedent that you are willing to work together to meet the children’s needs. Also, all kids should be present. It is not appropriate for a child to learn of the divorce second-hand from a sibling.
2. Remain as objective as possible
Children emanate their parents. If you are able to disclose divorce plans without blame or histrionics, the children will be more likely to react the same way. (more…)
August 16, 2011
Historically, the laborious gathering of detrimental evidence was done through private investigators or with subpoenas for credit card statements and phone records. The advent of social media and soaring popularity of social networking sites ensure the same damning evidence is effortlessly at the fingertips of opposing counsel. It appears that people share intimate personal details online based on a false expectation that the information will remain private. (more…)
August 10, 2011
There are special rules for divorced parents who claim the child dependency exemption and the child tax credit. The exemption is $3,650 for tax year 2009 and is adjusted upward for inflation in subsequent years. The exemption is phased out as income increases over the threshold of $250,000.00 on a joint return, $208,500 on a head of household return, $166,800 on a single return, and $125,100 on the return of a married person filing separately. The dependency exemption is not available to taxpayers subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax. (more…)
Maria Shriver filed for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger July 1, 2011. Her petition to end the 25-year-marriage followed the revelation that Schwarzenegger fathered a child with a member of his household staff, Mildred Patricia Baena. In her petition, Shriver asked for spousal support and that Schwarzenegger pay her attorney’s fees. (more…)
August 9, 2011
On July 15, 2011, Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony announced their separation, ending a seven-year-long marriage. The couple married in 2004 at Jennifer’s home in Beverly Hills. The couple reportedly renewed their wedding vows in 2008 and again in 2010. The pair gave a joint performance for the American Idol’s season finale last year. (more…)
