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…
Breaking Through the Scarcity Mindset During Divorce
It’s natural, even expected, for recently divorced women to experience a paralyzing panic about money. Women tend to get the short end of the stick after a divorce.…
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…
Divorcing an Abusive Spouse: What to Do When Domestic Violence is Part of the Equation
Some people get along just fine in their marriages. Never a hint of disagreement. Rarely a voice raised in discontent. But let’s face it…that’s rarely the case. Every…
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.
Protecting Your Kids from a Hostile Parent in Divorce
Sometimes in a divorce, one or both parents will engage in hostile or angry behavior that doesn’t quite meet the definition of domestic abuse, but nonetheless has the…
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.
