Williams Family Law

Prenuptial agreements are pretty standard when the rich and famous get married. But are they a good idea for people without millions of dollars to protect? Depending on your finances and relationship, they may be. #FamilyLaw

Attitude and mindset, not just budgeting skills, play a role in how well people adjust to their new reality after divorce. https://bit.ly/3of9Q0W

Though adoption is a wonderful thing, the process can be stressful as well as expensive. Thankfully, many families are eligible for relief in the form of the adoption tax credit. https://bit.ly/3aMEISr

Developing a plan for paying for college as part of your divorce is imperative to ensuring that your children have the educational opportunities that they deserve. https://bit.ly/2JIkU7g

If you took on your spouse’s last name or added it to your own, you may also have to make the call on what you’re going to do with your name post-divorce. https://bit.ly/2WG9KDw

Making the effort to formally establish paternity is about much more than the potential to receive child support. #FamilyLaw

Understand what your options are for separating yourself financially from your former spouse so that you can start rebuilding your life post-marriage. #Divorce http://bit.ly/31RqJ5E

Retirement assets often represents a divorcing couple s largest pot of money. And if the process for the division of those assets is not done properly, there can be a steep price to pay in taxes, penalties or an unintended amount of money going to an ex-spouse. https://cnb.cx/35Ao1Ub

Divorce adds additional challenges to the already difficult job of being parents. The key for divorced parents can be to stay focused on areas of common ground.

Child Support typically begins on the date the court order is filed. It is not retroactive beyond the date of the filing which is why it’s so important to begin the process as soon as possible. #FamilyLaw

Workers in certain industries are seeing higher divorce rates by age 30, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Data. #Divorce https://bit.ly/3pFZpVk

When couples get divorced, their assets are usually divided, but that split doesn't automatically extend to retirement plans, which is where a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) can come into play. http://bit.ly/36nTRo4

The coronavirus pandemic has presented some challenges you don’t typically see with other states of emergency--challenges even the most prescient parenting plan may not have accounted for. https://nyti.ms/3lDeogk

Your home loan could continue to be your legal responsibility, even after a divorce. Because of the huge risks of remaining on a mortgage loan, you'll likely want to take action to protect yourself. https://bit.ly/35gvFGb

There comes a moment in many relationships where the partnership is no longer viable, and where separation or divorce is the unavoidable next step. And while divorcing or going separate ways is rarely easy, couples dissolving their households during Covid-19 are facing new woes. https://cnn.it/2TnyD5b

Finance experts say the opportunity to rethink priorities and start fresh after a divorce can be a positive. https://bit.ly/2HzKLNL

Here’s what you should consider if you’re planning to untangle joint credit card debt during a divorce. https://bit.ly/3o9rXG3

There isn't always an easy solution to dividing your 401(k) assets in a divorce, but you can make the process a little less painful by understanding what your 401(k) plan allows and what your state requires. https://bit.ly/3kcjM9m

Going to court to fight for child custody is an emotional time, and many parents make mistakes simply because they're uncertain about what to do. Here are some common child custody mistakes parents make, along with tips on how to avoid them. #FamilyLaw https://bit.ly/37mr9HS

Maintaining financial stability is crucial to living the life you want after the divorce. Arming yourself with a well-informed plan for each stage of the divorce may ease your transition to single life and help protect your financial future. https://bit.ly/3lP9Gfg

Divorce can be a long and difficult process. You'll need to make decisions about a number of things, including debt that you took on jointly with your spouse. Don't just assume that your divorce will split loans up the way you expected, and take steps to protect yourself from future financial troubles (and stress) down the road. http://bit.ly/32XHpsN

A cohabitation agreement can spell out how you will share responsibilities during the time you are living together and help you in the event that you eventually decide to separate. #FamilyLaw

Dividing your assets in a divorce settlement is tough, and there's no way to split a co-owned house in two. Depending on your situation, having one party remain in the home or selling it outright may be best. http://bit.ly/32XGBEh

Ending a marriage can be difficult, but don't let that deter you from working with your ex to help ensure your children are taken care of financially. https://bit.ly/34emc0H

Just because you're divorcing doesn't mean that your former spouse can't still hurt your credit. Fortunately, it is possible to rebuild your credit score after a divorce causes a blow. #Divorce http://bit.ly/2Miv0KW

Even the most amicable relationship under constant duress, such as a national health crisis, can create friction. This is especially true for co-parents navigating complicated relationships with their exes. https://wapo.st/2ZNvvmK

Married couples have lots of different options for strategizing to increase their Social Security benefits. While you may assume you lose that ability if you divorce, that's not necessarily the case. https://bit.ly/2ZJXIdW

There are several steps you can take to better protect your finances as you go through your divorce. http://bit.ly/2Nq8oaP

Nearly one in 10 of married or partnered people in the United States say they are very likely to separate from their partner or spouse at least in part because of issues related to the pandemic, according to a recent poll. #FamilyLaw https://nyti.ms/351bJYb

Divorce is a difficult process, and even more so during a pandemic. But if you can manage the dissolution of your marriage and keep it from exploding into angry chaos, you will save yourself from greater hurt and the need for even more healing. https://wb.md/3gHD9V6

Don't let the end of your marriage derail your savings or reduce your Social Security benefits. http://bit.ly/2VKr7BK

A divorce isn’t just an emotional challenge, it’s a logistical one, too. But while you’re sorting out who gets what, it’s important to make sure that you’ll be able to land on your feet financially and won’t be saddled with your former spouse’s debt. http://bit.ly/2MGUORd

In a divorce, courts decide whether to issue alimony payments, and in what amount, based on a variety of criteria. But you and your spouse can also negotiate an alimony settlement and ask the court to approve it. #Divorce

If you decide to end your marriage, you'll need to address not only how to divide your assets, but how to split the debt you and your spouse collectively owe. Unfortunately, the process is actually even harder than it looks -- and if you don't do it right, you could get stuck having to pay back your spouse's debt after a #divorce http://bit.ly/2o0Pm1S

Divorce happens. For couples with children, what comes after can make all the difference in how family dynamics continue. #FamilyLaw https://on.today.com/3l5QtWN

If you find yourself going through divorce, or recovering from one, remember that you are closing one chapter of your life, but one chapter does not make a novel. https://yhoo.it/3002p4Z

If you're divorcing and have children, even if they are young, consider the impact the end of your marriage will have on their college plans. #FamilyLaw

It's important to consider the tax impacts of all assets to be split in your divorce settlement. https://bit.ly/2CgvE9N

If you’re on the verge of divorce, there are steps you can take to slash your tax bill laterparticularly when it comes to selling your home, which often happens when couples split. https://bit.ly/2Xecokn

Rebuilding your financial life after a marriage ends can seem daunting, but it is doable. http://bit.ly/2LDuWFv

You divorced several years ago and agreed on child support payments. Now, you're re-marrying. You may decide to have more children with your new spouse -- or you may be taking on financial responsibility for your new spouse's children. You may even be thinking about adopting your new spouse's children from a previous marriage. Under any of these circumstances, it's important to know about your legal obligations and options. #FamilyLaw https://bit.ly/31QXEHU

Home sales often occur during or shortly after a divorce. With real estate values still surging in some areas and holding steady in others, the federal income tax exclusion for gains from selling a principal residence can really help especially if you’re experiencing a COVID-19-caused cash crunch. https://on.mktw.net/39skoDu

If financial hardship is keeping you from meeting your child support obligations, it's important to ask a judge to modify your support order. A family law attorney can often work with the custodial parent and a judge to help you reduce your payments.

When your divorce is over, you might be inclined to discard the related paperwork. But there are key documents you should retain, like the final judgement of divorce (also known as a divorce decree), any appraisals of your assets, and any divorce-related financial paperwork. If you're not sure what to keep, be sure to consult with your attorney.

While there are many changes when separating from your spouse, managing the finances for your shared children can be particularly intimidating. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the financial stress. https://cnb.cx/32ql7AX

Here are some of the ways a parents’ divorce can affect the student’s college financial aid application process.

It’s incredibly important that financial wellness be an important part of any divorce proceeding and settlement. https://bit.ly/3ihCQ5K

When it comes to dividing the family business in a divorce, no single approach is right for everyone. Working with a lawyer can help you determine the solution that makes the most sense for your financial and emotional well-being. http://bit.ly/31DjCOQ

During quarantine, many families are finding that truly cooperative co-parenting isn’t just best for the kids; it can make parents’ lives better too. https://bit.ly/3gRldJf

Dealing with a fractured marriage is never pleasant, but doing it in the middle of a pandemic is several levels more stressfulboth for the spouses and for family law attorneys who’ve had to scramble to meet an unprecedented challenge. https://bit.ly/2CaNeeV

A postnuptial agreement is a contract in which you and your spouse will decide how to split up your assets in the event of a divorce. But unlike prenuptial agreements, postnups are signed after you have married. #FamilyLaw https://bit.ly/30DhNnO

There are several factors that can affect how much you receive in Social Security benefits. One factor that's easy to overlook, however, is divorce. https://bit.ly/2sWg8LC

A spike in the divorce rate in China, Europe, and other places that have endured long periods of isolation could be a warning of what's to come in the US. https://bit.ly/2Bzd1Nz

Add child support and alimony to the list of obligations weighing on people during this coronavirus crisis. As household finances reel from unemployment, business shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, some individuals are reaching out to lawyers to explore their options for modifying those payments. https://cnb.cx/3gQ23DD

Money-related issues are frequently cited as a reason for divorce. They include mismatched financial priorities, unexpected major expenses, and discovering a partner's secret spending. https://bit.ly/30VKAkp

California attorney Stephanie Williams of Williams Family Law is hosted by Cathy Meyer of DivorcedMoms.com. They discuss common questions that are arising in custody and visitation cases during this time of crisis.

It's vital to include any joint credit card accounts in financial agreements that are made in the course of divorce proceedings. https://bit.ly/3gG55Ky

Whether you think you’re entitled to receive spousal support or may have to pay it, be sure to consult with your legal and financial advisors to ensure that your interests are fairly represented. https://bit.ly/36ETpTF

Dividing student loan debt can be complicated, so the best thing to do is consult with a lawyer before you start the divorce process. That way, you know exactly what to expect. https://bit.ly/2Rd3wZW

Everyone's situation will be a little different, but there are a few things that every divorcing couple needs to do in order to start fresh on their own. https://bit.ly/2L9AF4S

As if there wasn’t already enough uncertainty, families that co-parent children are likely to have their own unique set of challenges to contend with during this time. #FamilyLaw https://bit.ly/2TibJfS

Here’s a look at three stages of the divorce process that have been altered by the pandemic. https://nyti.ms/3cgZ8kH

Like every other member of the family, pets are not excluded from the consequences of divorce. https://yhoo.it/2xO455c

There are a lot of decisions to make once you've decided to get divorced, and one of the biggest can be figuring out what to do with your shared home. https://bit.ly/3cizA6A

Separation and #divorce can be a financially perilous time. It's vital that individuals minimize additional financial fallout. https://bit.ly/2VSrkVd

Custody questions remain on the minds of many families. Stephanie Williams said parents who find themselves without their children because of the other parent's COVID-19 concerns do not have much legal recourse. Within the enclosed article she told AFP,... "if you have a situation where the circumstances present a danger, then you can go in and ask for emergency relief, but the courts are being very strict in what they are considering an emergency right now". A petition seeking an order to prevent a parent withholding custody over COVID-19 fears is unlikely to qualify, she added. See more

Divorce laws differ from state to state and, sometimes, are even implemented differently by various judges. That is why it is imperative you understand and protect your rights. https://bit.ly/35j3J2Y

Handling the separation of car insurance is often one of the final steps to a #divorce. Get through this transition and hopefully you can start looking forward to a bright future very soon. https://bit.ly/2Z0QhfR

Covid-19 has upended life for those who are or hope to become pregnant in the United States. But the pandemic is affecting expectant parents forming families through surrogacy, foster care and adoption as well. https://nyti.ms/2zgNkQz

Selling your home after divorce is often the smartest move, but there are options if you really want to keep it. https://bit.ly/3cBR912