Tag: Marriage

Interview: Perspectives on Step-Parenting

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My crazy wonderful blended crew!

Building a blended family after a divorce can get complicated. Not only is becoming a step-parent a major emotional commitment but now add in the finances and the dynamics involved in supporting this new expanded family. As a step-parent myself, I know all about this difficult and wonderful journey.

I spoke with MassMutual about the financial concerns when tackling step-parenting. While some tips are obvious (eg. get life insurance), other ideas are more nuanced (consider creating a trust and updating your will).

The article addresses four things that new stepparents should do:

  • Decide how you and your new spouse will manage household finances.
  • Update beneficiaries on insurance policies, bank accounts, and brokerage accounts.
  • Secure or revise life and disability income insurance policies, if needed.
  • Learn how your changed situation will affect your taxes.

You can read the article here and discuss your step-parenting journey in the comments.

 

 

 

US Supreme Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Legal Nationwide in Landmark Decision

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“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.

The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.

It is so ordered.”

You can read the full opinion here: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf

Interview: 9 Signs Your Marriage Was Doomed From The Start

legs-divorceThis week I spoke with Huffington Post associate editor Brittany Wong about the top signs a marriage is doomed from the start. Many times, people ignore the red flags, only to have these issues break the marriage later on. Continue reading “Interview: 9 Signs Your Marriage Was Doomed From The Start” →

DNA Info: 4 Things For Couples to Know If They’re Delaying Marriage to Buy a Home

homesLast week, I spoke to DNA Info reporter Nikhita Venugopal about the perils of home ownership for unmarried couples. Continue reading “DNA Info: 4 Things For Couples to Know If They’re Delaying Marriage to Buy a Home” →

He Said/She Said: Should We Separate? Tips From a Marriage Counselor and Divorce Lawyer

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In our second installment of He Said/She Said on the Huffington Post, marriage counselor Aaron Anderson and I disagree about whether couples should have a trial separation: 

When it comes to test-driving a separation everyone has an opinion, but no one disagrees more than your marriage counselor and your divorce attorney. A trial separation is one of the most challenging decisions a couple can make when facing hard relationship problems. Couples often struggle with questions like “What will we tell the kids?,” “Is it healthy to try and stay in the same house?” and “What are the legal consequences if I move?”

With so many questions to address, Denver marriage counselor Aaron Anderson advises couples that it’s healthier to separate during the divorce but New York divorce attorney Morghan Richardson advises against a move-out. Here’s why in their latest he said/she said: Continue reading “He Said/She Said: Should We Separate? Tips From a Marriage Counselor and Divorce Lawyer” →

In Forbes: Relationship Tips From Divorce Attorneys

cake topAs quoted in Forbes, here are 15 relationship tips from the most jaded professionals in the field — divorce lawyers — (including advice from yours truly): Continue reading “In Forbes: Relationship Tips From Divorce Attorneys” →

“I Do” Podcast: Tips From Divorce To Save Your Marriage

IDo-Final300pxThe other day, I had the pleasure of speaking with Chase Kosterlitz and Sarah Byrne, hosts of the I Do Podcast, a forum aimed at inspiring young couples to create positive and happy relationships and successful marriages.

So why did they want to talk to a divorce lawyer? One benefit of seeing individuals and couples in the midst of divorce and family crisis may be finding common patterns and things to avoid. I provide my tips on how to avoid landing in my office.

Listen to the interview:

Continue reading ““I Do” Podcast: Tips From Divorce To Save Your Marriage” →