When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement today (8/26/25), the internet exploded with congratulations, memes, and speculation about wedding dresses and playlists. But as a divorce lawyer, my mind went immediately somewhere else: the prenup.
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.
Active, involved dads often face an uphill battle in custody disputes. This article outlines five key strategies for fathers heading into court. You’re not just a weekend dad or second string. You’re a fully engaged, emotionally invested parent, handling tantrums, homework, doctor visits, and bedtime routines. But when divorce turns into a custody battle, even the most involved fathers can feel sidelined. Smart preparation and strategic thinking can help fathers protect their role and stay closely connected to their children.
Here’s what every active dad should know before stepping into family court:
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.