Household Budget in a Divorce

Whether you are seeking support or whether you may be a potential payor of support, it is important for you to understand your household expenses.  During your marriage, the paying of bills and the managing of finances may have fallen to one person or another.  Now, it is up to you to be sure you know how much is your mortgage or rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, gas, etc.   There are various forms available on the internet to prepare a budget sheet (or what we refer to as an income and expense statement).  We provide our clients with a form recognized in central Virginia courts.   Some people are good with Quicken reports.  Whatever your mechanism, your attorney needs this information to help piece together a spouse's need or a spouse's ability to pay. 

Winter doesn't stop divorces

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/17/living/january-divorce-month-matrimony/

US Department of Justice and same sex couples' rights

Chances are that you have seen the news.  We wanted to be sure, in case you haven't, that you are aware of the initiatives going on at the federal law as they may impact family law matters in Virginia.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/08/politics/holder-same-sex-marriage-rights/index.html?iref=allsearch

News that may impact the practice of family law in Virginia

http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/virginia-politics/herring-to-back-same-sex-couples-in-virginia/article_23b8b3ec-3cc1-537b-aa3a-6f9a55c2d3f0.html

Premarital assets

People are getting married at an older age these days.   As a result, some spouses come in to a marriage with savings, with retirement, with a house.  If and/or how these assets are used during the marriage, are kept separate, are used but can be traced out, or are mixed in (commingled) can make a difference in how they are treated during a separation/divorce/equitable distribution.  It is important for your attorney to know information about such assets that either you or spouse have owned. Documents showing what existed at the date of marriage can be vital to help your lawyer have a picture of what may be subject to distribution.

Getting your financial ducks in a row

As readers may know, sharing interesting other interesting blogs can some times offer additional help.  Although this one seems geared toward women, it really has advice for either spouse trying to prepare for dealing with a separation/divorce.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jefflanders/2011/04/07/welcome-to-divorce-dollars-and-sense/

Power of negotiation

Divorce, custody, spousal support and dividing property can be issues that bring a lot of emotion to the table:  anger, fear, sadness, anxiety.  Courts have the authority to make decisions where the people involved cannot reach agreements, but negotiations that lead to a settlement can often be a more productive path.  If you are entering negotiations, it is important to understand some aspects of it:
1.  Each person may be at a different emotional stage of the separation/divorce.  The stage of each person may impact what he or she is ready to address or consider.
2.  Each person may have a different level of knowledge about the financial aspects of the marriage.  Disclosure is important.
3.  Even productive negotiations take time, and an immediate agreement may not be reached with the first exchange.
4.   If your effort to negotiate does not receive any response, talk to your attorney about next options.