Category Archives: Divorce

Horse Trading Using Valuation Techniques in Divorce Mediation

February 28, 2022Divorceamediate523

When it comes to divorce and the division of assets, not all assets are equal. A dollar in a retirement account does not equal a dollar in an investment account which does not equal a cash dollar. Similarly, money owed to a family member does not equal an IRS tax lien which does not equal a student loan. The equitable distribution process in divorce mediation using various valuation methods and techniques used to properly identify and distribute marital assets and debts in a divorce. There is a process to divide assets and in divorce mediation, which includes the following phases: List the assets: These...Read More

Divorce and the Child Tax Credit

December 9, 2021Divorceamediate523

Of the many complex financial issues that spouses may need to address during the divorce process, tax considerations can be among the most confusing. These issues can be a major concern for parents since the ability to claim children as dependents can affect the amount of taxes that a person will pay, the tax credits they can claim, and the tax refunds they will receive when filing their annual tax returns. Parents will need to be sure to understand how to address child-related tax issues both during the divorce process and after their divorce is complete. They will also need...Read More

Dividing Debt in a Divorce

August 13, 2021Divorceamediate523

Marriage is more than a legal relationship. It is a union of finances as well. Money problems are always one of the top reasons for divorce. There is no question that money problems can erode the fabric of relationships. The circumstances of every divorce are different, of course, but in many cases, untangling the finances in a divorce is a large part of the battle. Divorce, however, doesn’t fix those money problems. In fact, it often creates additional ones for each spouse—particularly if there’s only one financial breadwinner. Most people want to emerge financially separated from their former spouses. The...Read More

Top Ten Must Do’s to Prepare For Divorce Settlement Negotiations

December 16, 2020Divorce, finance, General, Mediationamediate523

There are so many financial and emotional aspects of divorce that have to be balanced that if parties aren’t careful, they can end up in a big mess. As a mediator, cases that settle most smoothly in mediation are those where the parties have done their due diligence and are realistic about settlement. Following these ten tips will help you and your client ensure a more productive mediation to negotiate settlement. Identify the Marital Estate: During the course of the marriage, a couple accumulated assets and liabilities and it must be divided in the divorce. Until your client knows what...Read More

Misconceptions About Mediating Conflict

October 26, 2020Divorce, Mediationamediate523

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with the judicial dockets, schedules and the entire court system. Mediation has proven to be an especially valuable method of conflict resolution during these trying times. Pandemic restrictions have led to an increase in the number of mediations in Florida and it is expected that online mediations will likely continue long after the pandemic restrictions have been lifted. It is crucial to seek accurate information about how the mediation process works. There are many different mediation misconceptions that are simply not true. While mediation continues to fulfill its promise of being the “wave of the future,”...Read More