You may recall that a tax bill was passed by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by the president in late 2017. On January 1, 2019, the provisions of that new tax law became effective. The next time you file a federal income tax return, you’ll notice that things are a bit different. If you’re in the middle of a divorce, or simply thinking about getting a divorce, you’ll need to know how these changes in the tax law may affect you. Our attorneys discuss three major changes that could change how you approach or structure your divorce. Alimony Payments No Longer Tax Deductible When spouses are married, it’s not uncommon for one to earn less than the … Continued

When you get a divorce, you and your spouse will be required to disclose all of your assets and debts. This process helps to ensure that both spouses walk away from the marriage with an equal share of marital property. Failing to honestly and fully disclose your assets is unlawful. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop some people from being less than truthful during the financial disclosure process. Do you suspect that your spouse has hidden or fraudulently concealed assets in your divorce? Your concerns may not be without cause. Spouses in a contested divorce can sometimes go out of their way to make the process more difficult than it needs to be. This is often true in high net worth situations. … Continued

Millennials have been accused of killing many things: beer, paper towels, bars of soap, and even popular restaurant chains like Applebee’s. A new study finds that Millenials may also be responsible for the decline of something else – divorce. According to the report, the divorce rate dropped 18 percent between 2008 and 2016. That’s thanks in large part to young people staying in their marriages. Young People Are Getting Married Later in Life One reason that divorces have declined in the United States is because young people waiting until they’ve matured to get married. This is particularly true for women. In the 1950s, the average age of a bride was 20. By 1990, women were 24 when they first got … Continued

In 2015 and 2016, singer Mary J. Blige and her then-husband rented a mansion in Beverly Hills. The landlord claims that the singer and her husband abandoned the property, left it in a state of disrepair, and failed to pay rent for at least 4 months. Attorneys for the landlord are currently seeking nearly $60,000 plus the cost of attorney fees from the now-divorced singing sensation. Liability After Divorce After 12 years of marriage, Mary J. Blige filed for divorce from her husband in 2016. Nearly two years later, the couple was able to finalize the terms of their high net-worth split. Even though the couple is now divorced, they are still facing legal issues from when they were together. … Continued

How can you know if your marriage is at risk? What signs tend to indicate that a marriage is in trouble? As experienced Los Angeles divorce attorneys, we have helped thousands of clients through an incredibly difficult time in their lives. Our years of experience have allowed us to witness the inner workings of failing marriages and the signs that tend to indicate a divorce may be on the horizon. If you think that your marriage is in trouble it is important to be aware of the top four signs of divorce. Fighting More Than Usual When you first got married you may have enjoyed a honeymoon period where everything was wonderful. You may not have agreed on every decision, … Continued

Another heavyweight Hollywood couple is calling it quits. Laurence Fishburne, who stars on the sitcom Blackish, recently filed for a divorce from his estranged wife, Suits star Gina Torres, after 15 years of marriage. The couple, who have been formally separated for over a year, will have to tackle complex divorce issues including a division of assets and agree on a custody arrangement for their 10-year-old daughter. Disposition of Marital Assets It appears as though Fishburne and Torres have been working together over the past year to settle on amicable terms for their split. Reports state that they have entered into a preliminary agreement about how their property should be divided. If all goes as planned, the couple will formally … Continued

The number of women who have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct continues to grow. So far, at least 60 women have come forward with their own stories. It is no surprise that Georgina Chapman, Weinstein’s wife, has begun to reconsider her marriage. According to many reports, Chapman has started to shop for a divorce lawyer. Weinstein not only faces possible criminal charges and sexual harassment lawsuits, but also a crumbling marriage. Weinstein’s actions, however, do not only affect him. Weinstein and Chapman have two kids who will have to deal with the divorce, as well. Considering the Best Interests of the Children When Chapman files for a divorce she will likely request sole physical custody of her children. Parents … Continued

Gone are the days when young couples get married, buy a home, and stay in one place for the duration of their lives together. It seems that now, more than ever, couples are less likely to establish long-term ties to a particular geographic location. It is not uncommon for young couples to move across the country for a new job, a new school, or simply to try something new. While this lifestyle can be a great way to see new places and try new things, it can create difficult circumstances should the couple decide to get a divorce. California Residency Requirements In California, a spouse can petition for a divorce if the residency requirements are met. A California court will … Continued

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, most people move about twelve times in their adult lifetimes. Statistically, most of these moves occur before age 40, so most relocations involve minor children. Even a “local” move can upset the delicate balance that is a family’s weekly schedule, because driving from Upland to Long Beach can feel like traveling from the earth to the moon. Longer-distance moves, such as out-of-county or out-of-state moves, often complicate things even more. Child custody and visitation orders are based on the best interests of the children, and that is not a fixed value, as what is “best” for the children always changes over time. Since many or most relocations also involve job changes, family support obligations … Continued

A Time Magazine article published in 2015 made a bold claim. Titled “You Can Now Serve Divorce Papers on Facebook,” the article discusses a New York divorce case where a wife used Facebook to serve divorce papers on her soon-to-be ex-husband. Anyone who catches a glimpse of this title may be intrigued by what the title seems to promise. Yes, the Manhattan Supreme Court held that the wife could use the social media platform to serve divorce papers on her husband. But does this mean that social media platforms can be a petitioner’s choice for service of process of a divorce summons? A review of the case and California law helps to provide our best assessment. Serving Divorce Papers in … Continued

If your considering a divorce but are concerned with going to court, then there are two alternatives you should consider: (1) Mediation, or (2) Collaborative Law. Mediation Mediaton is a negotiation between you, your spouse, and a neutral third party (known as the mediator). The mediator does not make a decision, but rather helps the parties come to a mutual agreement. What to Expect in Mediation Typically, the parties divide the cost proportionally between themselves. Prior to the session, which normally takes place in an office setting, the mediators review the pleadings from both sides to familiarize themselves with the cases. After each side makes brief opening statements, the parties retire to different rooms to mull over settlement offers and … Continued

Hiring a divorce attorney in Los Angeles can be a daunting task. Given the amount of attorneys to choose from, it can be hard to know if you’re making the right decision. With that in mind, we put together a list of things you should consider when hiring a divorce lawyer.    1. How long have they been practicing law?   This one is simple. The longer they’ve been practicing, the more experience they have. If you want to find out how long an attorney has been licensed to practice law, go to the California State Bar page and look them up here:  http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/membersearch/quicksearch.    However, how long they have been an attorney should be balanced against the next question.   … Continued