I was asked to review a division of property. The wife found a neatly typed list of assets, liabilities and valuations complete with a paragraph stating the husband’s rationale for the division on the kitchen table. It was topped by a Post-it Note stating he wanted...

Rarely are two people on the same emotional timeline for divorce. Statistically the person who initiates the “break” has thought about it for over a year. The decision to file will also trigger a landslide of consequences that impact life on almost every level. One of...

Whether someone wants a divorce or not, getting organized and being prepared is essential. Alimony stems from the Latin word for nourishment or sustenance. The fundamental purpose of alimony (called spousal support in California) is to maintain the financial status...

The laced thong, the Easter bunny costume, the Ferrari and the $1.8 million dollar Spanish-style duplex were not his to give away. That’s what Shelly Sterling, estranged wife of disgraced Los Angeles Lakers owner Donald Sterling, asserted last month in her suit...

Recently, I was asked to analyze a complicated draft divorce judgment. From the worn appearance of the documents, question marks, revised numbers and multitude of angry, red, crossed-out words, it was clear that a lot of discussion had taken place. Usually, this level...

Recently, a bankruptcy lawyer sent me a client, who had been sent to him by a divorce attorney. Here’s how we uncovered the fraud my client’s wife had been perpetrating: 6 months prior, while my new client was at work, his wife had moved out. She had taken every stick...

Whether litigated or mediated, a divorce financial professional should always be part of your team. Recently, I attended an intensive, five-day interdisciplinary mediation training workshop. Of the 18 people in the workshop group, 14 were trial lawyers, 3 were mental...

In my work as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, I regularly speak to groups of women about the financial realities of divorce. Some are contemplating divorce. Many are already in the process. Some just want to make sense of the financial wreckage they were left...

Divorce is a time of uncertainty in many areas. In most marriages, it is not unusual for one spouse to have a more “hands-on” role or a better understanding of the household finances. If you were responsible for other duties and less focused on finance, it is critical...