Blog Posts in April, 2014

Bethenny Frankel's Divorce Just Got More Expensive

Reality TV star and creator of the Skinnygirl brand, Bethenny Frankel , is going through an already difficult divorce . And it just became more expensive. Frankel Financially Responsible for Hoppy Earlier this year, Bethenny’s soon-to-be-ex husband, Jason Hoppy, filed documents that requested Frankel be held financially responsible for the mounting legal fees he was incurring as a result of the ...

Chatterjee v. King and What it Means for Child Custody Issues

Recently the New Mexico Supreme Court handed down the decision in Chatterjee v. King , a case that brings to light many of the changes that are taking place in child custody decisions happening throughout the nation due to the fact that marriage no longer always defined as being between a man and a woman. The Child Custody Case The case involved two women in a long-term committed relationship who, ...

Why "Deadbeat Dad" Might Be a Term to Abandon

“ Deadbeat dad ” has become an increasingly popular term, describing fathers who do not uphold their legal responsibility to support their children after divorce , bringing forth visions of dads who abandon their responsibilities and do not care about their children. But the truth behind a lot of these “deadbeat dads” is that they are unable to afford the child support . So despite how they feel – ...

Keyshawn Johnson Arrested for Domestic Violence

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says retired NFL player Keyshawn Johnson , 41, was jailed briefly after a report of a domestic violence dispute involving his girlfriend. A Sheriff’s Department statement says deputies were called to Johnson ’s residence in Calabasas, California at 12:48 a.m. Monday April 21 “regarding a possible spousal assault.” Deputies determined the resident and his ...

Some Basics About Paternity Tests

Besides just having legal proof that the father of a child is indeed the father, there are various legal reasons for why paternity tests might be ordered. Financial Reasons for Paternity Tests One such reason is for establishing paternity is for financial purposes. A mother in litigation for child support will need proof that a certain man is the father, especially if he denies it. This becomes ...

Adina Jones - Finding Stable Financial Ground After a Divorce

Before her 14-year marriage ended last year Adina Jones had been a full-time caregiver for her three daughters. “I wanted to give them the best start I could,” Jones, 40, said of her career hiatus, which began in 2006. “I wanted to be there for them in all ways.” After divorce , she must rebuild her life and financial security. New Way of Life After Divorce Since Jones’ divorce she is now ...

Collaboration Might Equate to Financial Sense

For those attempting to avoid a “slash-and-burn” divorce a collaboration strategy for splitting assets and figuring out co-parenting might be key. “Most people can agree that litigation is a terrible process for a family to endure,” says Jacqueline Newman, the managing partner of Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd, LLP. “The collaborative process is one of the most productive ways to divorce when it ...

Asset Division in Divorce

Assets such as houses, rental property , retirement and pension plans, stock options, restricted stock, deferred compensation, etc…can make the division of property during a divorce a nightmare. Even if you and your spouse are on good terms, deciding who should get what can be quite a challenge. Asset Not Just a Dollar Value You should have a thorough understanding of each asset – meaning you ...

Podesta Divorce Documents Reveal Battle

Recently released court documents relating to the high-profile Washington lobbyist couple Heather and Topy Podesta reveal a divorce battle between the two over an extensive art collection and the Podesta “brand.” Art is Smaller of Two Divorce Battles According to the divorce filing the couple is fighting over ownership of the art in question and whether or not it was legal for Tony Podesta to try ...

Lessons of a Public Divorce

If you’re thinking of airing your dirty laundry about your divorce to all your friends you might want to take a look at what Janice Schacter is experiencing. According to a Manhattan judge’s ruling, Schacter will get less in the divorce from lawyer ex, Ira Schacter, because her public accusations hurt his business. Accusations Thrown in Divorce Over the course of the contentious years-long divorce ...

Lisa Mehos v. Manny Mehos Child Support Battle

Lisa Mehos , 38, must pay back the child support , totaling more than $50,000, she’s received since April of 2013. A judge ruled that Green Bank founder Manny Mehos , a multimillionaire, will no longer have to pay $5,000 a month in child support to his ex-wife in support their two kids, 4 and 6. The mother of the two children is unemployed and said she was “shocked” by the ruling that might cost ...

Tweet More Cheat More, Infidelity and Divorce

According to a new study published online in the journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking , people active on Twitter are more likely to get involved in the types of interactions that eventually lead to infidelity and divorce . The study of 581 Twitter users of all ages, asked questions such as how often they log in, reply to tweets, use direct messages and scroll through their ...

Sex Banned During Divorce?

Are you in the middle of a divorce and thinking of taking a dip back in the dating pool or maybe lose yourself in the throes of passion? Well, if you’re in the midst of a divorce in Massachusetts and living with children, dipping your toe into the dating pool or having sex at home could soon be banned. Massachusetts Divorce Sex Ban Bill Pending Pending the passage of a new bill you’ll have to wait ...

Additional Hurdles for Divorce with Children

In 1994 Utah was the first state that required couples complete what’s now a two-hour, $55 seminar before a court would finalize a divorce . One of the first lessons taught is: Keep the kids out of it. Lawmaker and sponsor of the bill, Republican Rep. Jim Nielson, is now proposing that couples take at least part of the course earlier, in an attempt to reduce the divorce rate amongst couples with ...

Some More Common Errors with Divorce

Divorce requires the completion of certain steps with the help of many professionals (attorneys, judges, court administrators, counselors, therapists, and mediators, etc.) to achieve a final goal. Sometimes the process can be long, difficult, and costly, but a solid understanding of the process is key to minimizing the necessary costs. Here are some common errors you’ll want to avoid: Don’t Wait ...