The 6 Psychological and Emotional Stages of Divorce
Your divorce will likely be one of the most disruptive periods of your life. Just remember: What you’re going through emotionally is completely normal. If you’ve put any…
My Articles
Gray Divorce After a Long-Term Marriage (Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It)
Getting a divorce later in life is on the rise. According to a 2017 study by the Pew Research Center and backed by data from the National Center…
What is a Divorce Coach (and why you need one)
Divorce can not only be a lonely process, it can be overwhelming, filled with uncertainty that can last for months on end. Worry can kick into overdrive as…
7 Ways to Deal with (and Overcome) Divorce Guilt
As if you didn’t have enough to juggle in a divorce while trying to work through alimony, dividing up your assets, child custody and support issues, paying attorneys,…
Are You Ready to Start Dating After Divorce?
Here are some things to think about as you ponder what may be the most awkward question facing you after a divorce. Don’t be swayed by those pesky…
A Beginner’s Guide to Federal Pensions and Benefits (FERS, CSRS, TSP) in Divorce
Do the same rules that apply to private sector employees also apply to federal employees and retirees? No. Court orders that affect private sector pensions are generally governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) or IRS regulations. The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) are governmental plans which follow federal regulations and are exempt from ERISA.
The Ultimate Guide to QDROs: Everything You Need to Know
What is a QDRO and how does it work? If you or your spouse have retirement accounts or pensions, you will likely need a QDRO. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most important things you need to know about QDROs (process, cost, common mistakes, and more).
Pensions, IRAs, 401Ks and retirement plans are considered marital property in virtually all states. This means they must be divided equitably in a divorce. Depending on how a division of assets is negotiated, it may be possible to keep a larger part of a pension in exchange for giving up another asset of similar value. Often, this might be ownership rights in the family home.
Pension Valuations in Divorce: A Helpful Guide
The first thing that must be established is whether the pension is a defined benefit or a defined contribution plan. Once this is determined, then a valuation date must be established. The value of a defined contribution plan is simply the balance of the account as of a given date. However, the characterization of the account (community vs. separate property) requires a detailed tracing of the account from marriage through separation.
11 Tips for Protecting Yourself from a Nosey Spouse During Divorce
If your marriage is on the rocks and you may be heading for a separation or a divorce, you need to take several proactive steps to protect yourself…
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate: What are They and Why You Need Them
With all the different divorce documents floating around, it can be hard to know what’s most important. Two documents you will surely need to provide at some point…