Formula for Alimony

Family Court judges have needed a formula to avoid unfair settlements, because the amounts and payment schedules are usually decided by them. Judges are on their own in deciding how to prioritize the various factors and how to translate them into dollar amounts—resulting in wildly inconsistent alimony awards. The unpredictability of alimony rules imposes unnecessary costs.  […]

Divorce On Hold

The recession has encouraged marriages to improvise, because they have no choice.  Since the financial collapse in 2008 many semi-happy, but not totally miserable, couples have stayed together because they can’t afford to get divorced.  Or they can’t sell their homes or would lose too much money if they did.  So they continue to live together, […]

The Future of Marriage

Is there a future in marriage?  A Pew poll in 2010 found that a whopping 50% of young Americans, and 40% of all Americans, believe that marriage is becoming obsolete. There are others who want to revive the “traditional” marriage, get rid of no-fault divorce laws and change the attitudes about marriage. It is interesting that at […]

Married Couples

The Census Bureau has reported that in 2010 only 48 percent of American households were represented by married couples.  This is the first time that figure has dropped below 50 percent.  This is down from 78 percent in 1950—the days of “Ozzie and Harriet” are gone.  Just a fifth of households were traditional families—married couples […]

A Happy Marriage

This is advice to anyone planning to get married:  Make sure that the person you are getting married to has the traits you are looking for in a partner.  Don’t get married thinking that he or she will grow into being that ideal partner.  It usually doesn’t happen. People don’t change, and you can’t change […]

Marriage Counseling Doesn’t Work

Why doesn’t marriage counseling work?  Because most couples go for marriage counseling when it’s too late to save their marriages.  Most marriage counselors are the kiss of death for a  marriage. The  reason  that  marriage counseling doesn’t work is because couples therapy is the hardest form of therapy, and most therapists aren’t trained to do it.  Surveys indicate […]

Preparing for Divorce

When you are preparing for divorce it is very important that you have a clear picture of where you and your spouse stand financially.  The most important goal of the divorce process is to make an equitable distribution of all marital assets and debts.  In order for you to make sure that you get your […]

Never Show Weakness

If your husband is the one who wants the divorce, you should NEVER beg or plead to get him to return. Begging or pleading will show weakness and cause you to feel humiliated when he lets you know he’s  not interested. When your marriage is in crisis, don’t show him that you’re panicking. Don’t show desperation. You’re giving away […]