Category: Marital Finances

You Don’t Need a Shark. You Need a Strategist. (And a Not-Average Lawyer.)

You Don’t Need a Shark. You Need a Strategist. (And a Not-Average Lawyer.)

Why “Get Me a Shark” Backfires

When people hear “divorce attorney,” they picture someone cold, combative, and eager to bill by the hour. That’s not me.

I’m Morghan Richardson, a Manhattan divorce lawyer who believes the work is as human as it is legal. I’ll protect your rights with every tool in the toolbox—but I’ll also translate strategy into plain English, keep you grounded when the room is spinning, and help you make moves you’ll be proud of five years from now.

A lot of folks start the attorney search with the same request: “I want a shark.” It feels logical when you’re scared or furious. But here’s the problem with sharks:

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The Myth of 50/50: How Divorce Courts Shortchange Stay-at-Home Parents

The Myth of 50/50: How Divorce Courts Shortchange Stay-at-Home Parents

On paper, “splitting everything 50/50” sounds fair. Equal shares, equal rights, clean break. But here’s the ugly truth: a 50/50 split often leaves stay-at-home parents at a massive disadvantage.

Why? Because money in divorce isn’t just about the snapshot of today’s bank balance. It’s about how those numbers got there, and where they’re headed.

Within the last few years, a Spanish court awarded €204,624.86 (approx. $215,664 USD) plus a €500/month annuity to a homemaker for 25 years of exclusive domestic labor, breaking new legal ground in recognizing that such unpaid labor entitles financial compensation, even under a separation-of-property marriage regime.

This discussion should be required reading for any spouse or parent thinking of “staying home” or stepping back from their career during a marriage. Here in New York, there is very little return-on-investment for that sacrifice, and a court isn’t going to compensate for the lost time and future career setbacks.

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Divorce by the Numbers: Why Your Calculator Is Smarter Than Your Emotions

Divorce by the Numbers: Why Your Calculator Is Smarter Than Your Emotions

Mark was stuck.

His wife wanted the co-op apartment in their divorce, and deep down, he agreed she should have it. His friends — and even a few lawyers — told him he was crazy to give up both the apartment and pay alimony. At our next meeting, I introduced Mark to his new best friend in divorce negotiations: a calculator.

“When you break down the tax benefits and factor in the capital gains you’d avoid by not selling the apartment, you’re actually losing money,” I said. The calculator agreed.

Once we modeled out best-case and worst-case litigation scenarios, reviewed his retirement accounts, and assessed potential buyout costs, Mark had a choice: fight over the apartment and spend $175,000 in legal fees, or settle quickly and strategically. He took our estimates to a CPA and real estate agent, and (armed with real numbers) finally saw the bigger picture.

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Why Every Married Woman Needs a Bank Account in Her Own Name

Why Every Married Woman Needs a Bank Account in Her Own Name

Let’s get this out of the way up front: every married woman should have at least $5,000 in a bank account that’s hers alone: full stop.

Now before anyone starts clutching pearls or calling this marital betrayal, let’s be clear:
I’m not saying the account has to be a secret (though for some women, it probably should be). And I’m certainly not suggesting you stop caring about your partner’s feelings, as healthy relationships are built on openness and mutual respect.

But having your own money is part of being an adult. It’s not about prepping for divorce (though we’ll get to that). It’s about independence, protection, and peace of mind.

Because here’s the reality: life happens. And life is messy.

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