In the past few years, confidentiality agreements have garnered a bad reputation. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, it became apparent that rich and powerful men were using confidentiality agreements to hide sexual harassment allegations and litigation from the...
Property Division
Breaking up? Who gets the ring?
Diamond engagement rings are pricey -- and some become family heirlooms. The actual and emotional value of a ring can lead to big disputes when a couple splits up.So who gets to keep the ring? Miss Manners may have one opinion on the matter, but here's what the law...
Dividing up the art and collectibles during divorce
You've always been an art lover -- and so has your spouse. You've amassed a significant collection of pieces in your life together. Now that your marriage is ending, however, you have to find a way to split the collection fairly.This is a common problem that can...
Splitting your household items in a divorce
Dividing up the household items in a divorce can be an emotional experience, so it's wise to agree on a method of doing so with your spouse before you start.Here is one of several methods people use to divide their property:1. Make a listIn fact, you and your spouse...
What happens to vacation property in a divorce?
If you and your spouse own vacation property, don't be surprised if it becomes a hot-button issue in your divorce. Vacation properties are usually valuable, and some spouses tend to see them as a "prize" or a sort of trophy that they can claim when a marriage...
Shatner divorce highlights attention to animals
For the longest time, animals owned by a couple were pretty much treated like nothing more than livestock. As pets have become more intertwined with American life, social attitudes -- and the law -- have changed.Starting in 2019, California began treating family pets...
How to lower the cost of your divorce
The newest figures are in regarding the cost of a modern divorce and it's not great news for folks in California. On average, a divorce in this state costs more than anywhere else in the nation.Couples without children can expect to spend an average of $17,500 --...
What are the 3 main ways to value a business?
When a marital split is on the horizon, you know that putting a precise value on the family business is going to be crucial to a fair outcome. However, you may not know where to start.Guessing is a bad idea -- even if you and your spouse can agree on a figure. A wrong...
What happens when a spouse gets caught hiding assets?
During a divorce, there's no time for secrets about money and resources. All of those things need to be sorted by owner, and joint assets must be divided. You know the rules. Your spouse knows the rules.But what if someone decides to cheat a little -- or a lot? What...
Marriage, divorce and student loans: What you need to know
Are you ready to tie the knot but worried about how your student loans will affect your intended spouse? Does your intended have a lot of student loan debt that you're worried about taking on?You aren't alone. These days, a lot of younger people have significant...