Category Archives: General

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

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

Divorce, finance, General, Mediation
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

Top 5 Things to Do For Your Divorce During the Current Pandemic

General
Divorce can be devastating no matter the circumstance. However, divorce may be more challenging than ever in these unprecedented times. With in-home working, increased financial pressures, and temporary court closings, there are some additional considerations that may lend itself to mediation for those contemplating divorce. 1.) Seek Out Advice and Decide on Your Method of Divorce– The first thing to do if you are contemplating divorce is to seek out advice about the process, the law, and your specific issues. Being fully informed will help you feel at ease at a time when most things seem so out of control....Read More

The health and safety of my Clients & Associates is the top priority for South Florida Mediation Services

General
The health and safety of my Clients & Associates is the top priority for South Florida Mediation Services. We are all closely monitoring the current situation as we hope for everyone’s safety. My Boca Raton office is open for business based on the guidelines from local government and health officials. The office is cleaned in between appointments, including sanitizing high touch areas such as keyboards, telephones and common areas. I remind Customers & Associates of the importance of handwashing and other recommended actions. In an effort to try and keep family law cases moving in Florida during this period, I...Read More

Dividing IRAs in Divorce

Divorce, finance, General, Mediation
Practically every divorce case involves marital assets to be divided between the parties. Of significant concerns are the tax issues involved in these transfers. Under U.S. Code § 1041 - transfers of property between spouses or incident to divorce, are non-taxable events. In order to utilize a “divorce or separation instrument” to divide an IRA, you should be sure that the judgment or settlement agreement includes language that is sufficient to divide the IRA, provides a clear method of division, provides a valuation date as of which the IRA is to be divided, and addressed gains and losses on the...Read More

Five Ways the New Tax Laws Will Affect Divorcing Couples

Divorce, finance, General, Mediation
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is the most sweeping update to the U.S. tax code in more than thirty (30) years. The recently released bill would lower taxes on businesses and individuals and unleash higher wages, more jobs, and untold opportunity through a larger and more dynamic economy. How will these changes affect divorcing couples? These tax changes sunset in 2025. All marital settlement agreements with minor children should include proper language to handle changes if/when tax laws change. Please send me as message at info@southfloridamediationservices.com and I will gladly send you language to include in agreements addressing...Read More