Kevin Zlock, P.C.

For adults engaged in difficult divorce and custody battles, it can be all too easy to forget the significant, long-lasting impact that these types of proceedings can have on those most sensitive to the fallout, children. Unfortunately, the setup of the court system promotes a competitive approach to determining custody in that one party is the so-called winner (the “primary” custodian) and one party is the so-called loser (the “partial” custodian) in most cases. Children do not see it that way.

While preparing for your upcoming wedding, the last thing you want to think about is getting divorced. When you are about to get married, you think of your partner as your best friend, so you are much more likely to be amicable and fair than when you are about to get divorced, when you probably, albeit not always, think of your partner as your worst enemy. That being said, here are 5 things to consider when drafting a prenuptial agreement:

In most divorces, the marital residence is one of the most substantial assets in the entire marital estate, if not the most substantial asset. What makes real estate unique from other assets, such as bank accounts, retirement accounts, and other investments, is that it is an asset usually tied to a liability, such as a mortgage or a home equity line. Consequently, when parties are going through a divorce, one of the challenges is determining what happens to the marital residence.

For many divorcing couples, retirement accounts can represent much of the value of a marital estate. Retirement accounts come in various forms and include Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, defined benefit pension plans, etc. Division of these various retirement accounts is a common concern for those separating or going through a divorce. Below are 3 important issues that arise with respect to retirement assets:

Out of all the domestic issues that can arise, payment or receipt of child and/or spousal support is one of the most common. Both types of support are governed by the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines which establish a rubric for calculating the amount of the obligation. While the guidelines are fairly straightforward, determining the payor’s support obligation can be challenging, depending on the particular circumstances. Below are some of the issues that can arise:

Property settlement agreements are a great way for parties who are separating or divorcing to settle property issues amicably and to their mutual satisfaction. Without proper legal representation, however, these agreements can lock people into settlements that are detrimental. Following are five of the pitfalls people should avoid when working on such agreements:

Divorce is rarely a welcome event financially, but in one of the worst recessions in recent history, it can be especially challenging. The state of the economy has an impact on various aspects of a divorcing couple’s finances, including their real estate, retirement accounts, and debts. The effect on their incomes can be substantial as well. This article examines the impact of the economy on some of the key financial issues in a divorce.