“This is what we are hearing around the country,” one lawyer said. A wave of divorce filings is expected to break across the country when COVID-19 confinement ends, according to several divorce attorneys. While access to courts is now limited, “when those restrictions are lifted, I have no doubt that there will be an overwhelming number of…

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For many American families, owning a home is the key to building wealth. When divorce becomes part of the picture, all that can be turned on its head. Considering that the median value of a home in the U.S. is $247,084, and the average amount of mortgage debt a person has topped $202,000 last year, deciding how to…

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Adam Driver’s character in Marriage Story probably wouldn’t have punched a wall if he’d just gotten a prenup. “THERE’S SO MUCH I DIDN’T DO!” he screams during the emotional scene. You know, like getting a prenup. Whether it’s talking about which celebrities didn’t get one or a dramatic arc on 90 Day Fiancé, signing this contract is the big brain move among millennials these days. But these…

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If anything happens to you, your family has someone to consult. Provided by Barbara Bell AIF, CDFA If you weren’t around, what would happen to your investments? In many families, one person handles investment decisions, and spouses or children have little comprehension of what happens each week, month, or year with a portfolio. In an…

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According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), 96% of American workers are covered under Social Security. If you’re one of the many who are eligible to collect Social Security benefits in retirement, it’s important to understand how the system works. If you’ve been married, spousal benefits can be a significant component of Social Security. Even…

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Don’t be the ex-spouse who never saw these coming If you’re heading towards Splitsville, you’re likely steeling yourself for some financial downsides. You may be budgeting for less income, a solo payment on a car or utility bills, and of course, legal fees.  Unfortunately, chances are that more financial downsides await you—and worse, they’re probably…

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Divorce is never easy, and whether you have a lawyer or not, your finances may take a hit. So, just how much does a divorce cost? Deciding to end a marriage is never easy or simple, but one of the major considerations beyond the emotional and societal relationship’s ending is the cost. In some cases,…

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The rules are murky, so here are questions to answer… As a Certified Financial Divorce Analyst, I’ve spent my career counseling couples and individuals going through the divorce process. And since the 2015 Supreme Court ruling repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and permitting same-sex marriages across the country, I’ve worked with many same-sex…

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Your budget is likely to take a big hit when your marriage ends. Getting a divorce stands to be as budget-breaking as it is heart-wrenching, especially for women. “The dynamic is changing a little as more women are staying in the workforce and continuing and accelerating their careers, but typically, divorce hits women harder than men,”…

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