In New York the word “maintenance” means alimony.
Prenups aren’t just about protecting money anymore: they’re about defining fairness. As modern marriages evolve, so do the agreements that precede them. Today’s high-net-worth couples are finding creative ways to address issues that traditional prenuptial language never imagined: business growth, phantom equity, and even “milestone” payments tied to time, children, or success.
Divorce in New York isn’t just about dividing property: it’s also about figuring out whether one spouse owes the other ongoing support, known here as maintenance (what people in other states call “alimony”). And in Manhattan, where lifestyles can include doormen, Hamptons shares, and $150 spin classes before breakfast, maintenance awards aren’t always driven by numbers on a W-2. Sometimes, they’re driven by lifestyle.
So when does lifestyle matter more than income? The answer is: when the standard of living during the marriage creates expectations the law is designed to protect, especially in marriages with big disparities in earnings. Let’s talk about it:
Continue reading “Maintenance in Manhattan: When Does Lifestyle Matter More Than Income?”
Alimony? Child support? Income caps? If your eyes glaze over when divorce finances come up, this post is your no-nonsense crash course. People hate math, but they love money. And nothing proves it more than a divorce consult. The minute I start talking about support numbers, everyone suddenly becomes a “math expert.” Spreadsheets appear, calculators come out, and suddenly it’s all about the formulas.
But here’s the truth: support in New York is part math, part strategy.
In this blog, I cover the basics, run the numbers, and show you how people actually negotiate support in real life. Spousal maintenance and child support can make or break a divorce settlement. This post demystifies New York’s latest support laws, complete with updated 2025 caps, sample calculations, and smart strategies for high earners, caregivers, and everyone in between.
Continue reading “Alimony & Child Support in New York: Why the Math Matters”
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.
The Divorce Artist™️ 