A recent survey found that 43% of Americans say they would leave their partner if offered $1 million.
At first glance, the statistic feels outrageous. Cold. Transactional. Maybe even cynical.
But as a divorce lawyer who spends her days at the intersection of love and money, I don’t find it shocking at all.
I find it revealing.
Divorce is a significant life event that can bring about a whirlwind of emotions. While many may prefer to avoid discussing the painful aspects, the truth is that open communication, about feelings, finances, and future plans, can profoundly influence the divorce experience and its aftermath. Neglecting these important dialogues can foster stress, secrets, and health issues that affect not just the individuals involved, but also their families and communities.
Let’s delve into the relationship between avoiding difficult conversations and the resulting impacts on stress levels, mental and physical health, and overall well-being in the context of divorce.
Continue reading “Stress, Secrets, and Health: How Avoiding the Talk Impacts Divorce”
A break down of equitable distribution in cases involving brownstones, co-ops, startups, and Wall Street bonuses.
Divorce is never simple, but in New York City, it can become extraordinarily complicated when millions of dollars are on the line. This is a city of brownstones worth more than most people’s lifetime earnings, Wall Street bonuses that rival lottery wins, and startups where today’s idea might be tomorrow’s IPO. When those assets are part of a marriage, the process of dividing them is anything but straightforward.
New York is an equitable distribution state. That means marital property is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, when a couple divorces. Marital property generally includes assets acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title. Separate property, on the other hand, usually refers to assets owned before the marriage, inheritances, or gifts made to one spouse individually.
But when millions are at stake, the line between marital and separate property often blurs. Appreciation on a premarital asset, contributions from a spouse’s labor, or the use of marital funds to maintain or improve property can transform what looks like separate property into something that’s at least partly marital. That’s where the litigation begins.
Continue reading “High Net Worth, High Stakes: How NYC Courts Handle Divorce with Million-Dollar Assets”
Over the course of my career, I’ve handled hundreds of divorces involving pets, and yes, one of them even went to trial over who would get the couple’s dog. If you’ve ever loved a pet, that probably doesn’t surprise you.
Pets become part of our family. They share our homes, our routines, and our milestones. So when a relationship ends, deciding where the pet goes can become as emotionally charged as deciding where the children live.
So what happens at the end of a relationship if there is a dispute over Rover? Let’s discuss:
Continue reading “Who Gets the Dog? Pets, Divorce, and Planning Ahead”
The Divorce Artist™️ 