Stamford Family Law Blog

Asset division in divorce starts with a checklist

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in asset division on Friday, January 18, 2019.

Asset division in divorce has the potential to be a sticking point. Even if you're both willing to work toward a compromise, you can expect to face challenges along the way.

Using a property division checklist can streamline the process and give you a better idea of what you need to negotiate during mediation. Here are four categories you can use to organize your checklist:

Real estate: This typically includes the marital home, but can also cover vacation property, undeveloped land and business real estate.
Personal property: The items you keep in your home fit within this category, with some of the most common including collectibles, electronics, rugs, antiques, furniture, clothing, home office equipment, jewelry and motor vehicles.
Financial assets: Often the most valuable marital resources, these range from cash on hand to bank and retirement accounts.
Business assets: If one or both individuals is a business owner, some assets associated with the company could potentially be subject to division in a Connecticut divorce.

Helpful tips for telling your children about divorce

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in divorce on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

It's a difficult conversation, but one that you have to have. The sooner you tell your children about your divorce the sooner you can move on with the process itself. Furthermore, this allows you to better help your children through this difficult time.

These tips will help you discuss your divorce with your children:

Be honest: You don't have to share details, but you should be honest about your relationship, the divorce process and what's to come. Of course, make sure the conversation is age appropriate.
Write out what you want to say: Just because you're speaking with your children, it doesn't mean it's any easier to explain your divorce. Writing out what you want to say will keep you on track while ensuring that you don't forget something of importance.
Think like your child: Don't think like an adult when telling your children about your divorce. Put yourself in your child's shoes as this will help you tailor the conversation to their needs. For example, you know that your children may take the blame for the divorce, so you can hedge this off.
Don't call it quits after one conversation: The initial conversation is important, but your work is never really done. You should continue to chat with your children about your divorce and the impact on their lives as often as necessary.

Easy to follow tips when asking for a prenuptial agreement

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in prenuptial and postnuptial agreements on Thursday, December 27, 2018.

Asking for a prenuptial agreement may not be the most exciting thing you do in the time leading up to your wedding, but it could be the most important.

If this is something you want to discuss with your partner, it's best to bring it to light as soon as possible. This ensures that you have as much time as necessary to work through the details.

Are you comfortable following these co-parenting tips?

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in child custody on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

There are times when co-parenting is a breeze. There are also times when you run into one challenge after the next. If you want to experience more good than bad, you must make sound decisions.

Here are several tips you can follow to help your cause:

Put yourself in the other person's shoes: You must do what's best for you and your children, but that doesn't mean you should completely overlook the feelings of your ex-spouse.
Be flexible when possible: It's important to stick with your parenting agreement, but it's okay to adjust schedules from time to time. If both parents are flexible, everyone will win in the end.
Pick your battles wisely: When co-parenting, you can argue about almost anything. There are times when it makes sense to put up a fight. There are also times when it makes sense to let an issue go.
Communicate: This is a simple one. You need to communicate when necessary, no matter how you do it. If you can't get along when chatting in person, opt for text messages or email. Regardless of the method, communication is key.
Respect your children's time with your ex: Don't get in the way when your children are spending time with their other parent. Instead, take this time to do something for yourself.

Why consider mediation?

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in Divorce Law on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Divorce is often treated as a competition. Something both parties do their best to win, with the outcome decided by a judge. But it doesn't have to be this way. Divorce doesn't need to be a struggle between you and your ex. You have options.

A divorce alternative that is gaining popularity in Connecticut is mediation. There are benefits found in mediation that don't exist in a traditional divorce. A few of these include:

What happens when your ex-spouse stops paying child support?

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in Divorce Law on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

You would do anything for your child. They deserve to not only have their needs met, but also feel supported. When an ex-spouse stops paying child support, it may become difficult for your child to succeed. Perhaps your ex's payments helped pay for piano lessons, soccer gear, dental braces or outfits for school. This sudden breach in the agreement can produce harmful drawbacks. What should you do if this happens?

Is your spouse hiding assets during your divorce?

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in Divorce Law on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

You and your spouse have filed for divorce, and one day you notice a payment from your joint checking account to what appears to be a financial adviser. The only problem is you've never heard of or met this financial adviser.

And that makes you wonder - could your spouse be attempting to hide money or assets?

Divorce and special needs children

By Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in child custody on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

All children are unique. Therefore, each child responds to divorce differently. Reactions can vary depending on the age of your child. For example, emotional maturity affects the way they cope with change and possible conflict. It is important that parents concentrate on more than just the legal responsibilities of divorce. Additionally, parents should spend time helping the child adjust. For children with special needs, decision-making becomes even more complex.

How to tell if your spouse is hiding assets during a divorce

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Divorce is often filled with distrust, and sometimes this distrust is well-founded. In some situations it is all too easy for a spouse to hide assets, especially if that person has been managing the household finances alone. However, if you suspect your spouse is hiding assets, there are several signs you can look out for and actions you can take to protect your interests during a divorce.

Pay attention to financial statements

Simple tips to ease the stress of asking for a divorce

On behalf of Siegel & Kaufman, P.C. posted in divorce on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.

The stress of asking for a divorce may be reason enough for you to reconsider. However, if you realize this is the best thing for you, nothing should stop you from taking action.

Here are five simple steps you can follow to ease the stress of asking for a divorce:

Prepare for everything: Think long and hard about how your spouse will react. Also, plan for the unexpected, as you never know if they'll do something out of the ordinary.
Choose the right time and place: It's a very important conversation, so selecting the right time and place is important. You know your relationship better than anyone else, so use this knowledge to decide when to sit down and discuss your feelings.
Don't back down: You go into the conversation with the idea of asking for a divorce and pushing the process forward. Don't back down because of something your spouse says.
Don't talk about the details of your divorce: Asking for a divorce is just the start. From there, you have to hash out details related to property division, alimony, child support and child custody. There is time for this in the future, so don't assume that you have to cram everything into the initial conversation.
Don't be combative: Even if the conversation is tense, turning it into an argument is a bad idea. If you're unable to avoid a serious argument, it's best to walk away and consider your next step.