You owned a home before marriage. You used salaries, bonuses, commissions, or other income that you or your spouse earned during marriage to pay the principal on loans that were used to acquire the house and are secured by the property. You don't have a prenuptial or postnuptial … [Read more...]
Should you become your ex-spouse’s creditor?
You're negotiating a separation or divorce agreement, and your spouse offers to pay you $X monthly for X years in exchange for your ownership interest in the house, retirement account, stock options or some other valuable asset. Should you accept your spouse's offer? Should you … [Read more...]
How to Say No to a Family Court Judge
Saying "No" to a family law judge seems simple enough: "No your honor." But in reality, it's rarely easy. Even sophisticated executives, poised professionals, and junior lawyers can be unnerved when called upon to dissent in a courtroom before a presiding Judge with dozens of … [Read more...]
How to Practice Mindfulness in Divorce
Mindfulness in divorce isn't just a coping strategy — it's a survival skill. I learned this not on a mountaintop, but in a Silicon Valley courtroom. My client's husband hasn't paid court-ordered spousal support and has submitted two counterfeit checks as proof of payment—under … [Read more...]
3 mistakes people make in divorce
"To err is human; to forgive, is divine." Alexander Pope (1708) Like me, you undoubtedly have, and will continue to, make mistakes in life. We don't mean to make mistakes, but we do. In the grand scheme of things, little faux-pas like mixing plastic and paper are easily … [Read more...]
Divorcing a Narcissist: How to Negotiate Settlement Agreements
Divorcing a narcissist creates unique challenges that conventional divorce advice doesn't address. When your spouse exhibits narcissistic traits, the emotional and legal complexities multiply exponentially, requiring specialized strategies and professional support. The Control … [Read more...]