When people hear the word alimony, they often picture courtroom drama, whispered affairs, and a judge slamming down a gavel while declaring, “Pay up!” But, let’s pause the legal soap opera for a second. If you’re going through a divorce—or just trying to understand what spousal support–aka “alimony”–really means—here’s the truth: alimony isn’t about who …
Hurt Feelings, Hard Numbers: The Truth About Alimony and Fault Read More »
It happened years ago, but I still think about Judy. I was working on a brief, buried in legal paperwork, when my assistant told me I had an emergency call from a client. I dropped everything and picked up the phone. On the other end was Judy (not her real name), crying, overwhelmed, and clearly …
Who Will Mow the Grass? (And Other Questions It’s Okay to Ask During Divorce) Read More »
One of the first questions I used to hear in divorce consultations was, “So… who gets the kids?” Sometimes it came out casually, sometimes it was whispered at the end of the meeting—but it always came. And I always hated it. Because no one “gets” the kids. Children aren’t assets to be divided. But in …
Picture this: You’re nine months into your divorce, thousands of dollars deep in lawyers’s fees, and knee-deep in court-mandated mediation. You and your spouse are in separate rooms, flanked by a lawyer billing you $300 an hour–each–plus you’re each paying for half of the mediator’s fee. For hours, offers are passed back and forth. Finally—progress! …
Careful What You Ask For? Judges Don’t Always Do What You Want Read More »
When people think about divorce, they often picture a heated courtroom battle over who gets what. But here’s the truth: in nearly two decades as a divorce lawyer, I had two actual trials where the issue was property distribution. That doesn’t mean it was smooth sailing—there were plenty of court appearances and tense back-and-forths. But …
What’s Mine? What’s Yours? Understanding ‘Marital’ and ‘Separate’ Property Read More »
Let’s start with the obvious: child support is confusing. Not because you’re not smart. Not because you can’t do math. It’s confusing because the system is full of terms that sound straightforward—but mean something entirely different once you’re sitting across from a calculator… or a lawyer. Let’s break it down. Gross vs. Net Income: The …
Gross v. Net (And Other Headaches): Why Child Support Feels So Confusing Read More »
Realistic ways to start your day with a little more calm—and a lot more control. Let’s be honest. Divorce mornings hit different. Whether you’re waking up alone for the first time in a long time, wrangling kids on your own, or adjusting to the eerie quiet of an empty house on your off-parenting days, mornings …
Morning Routines That Don’t Involve Crying in the Shower Read More »
(And Other Things That Sting Post-Split) Divorce doesn’t just shift your home, your schedule, or your finances—it shifts your friendships, too. Some people show up in ways that surprise and soothe you. Others? They disappear into the tall grass of “I don’t want to take sides.” Oof. That one stings. You might hear it in …
“What Do I Say to Friends Who ‘Don’t Want to Take Sides’?” Read More »
To keep schedules and finances in order, share photos, and keep their sanity, many co-parents turn to co-parenting apps. You may ask: is investing in and setting up a co-parenting app worth it? Short answer? YES. Long answer? Still YES—and here’s why. Keeping up with your kids’ lives is a challenge even in the most …
You’ve just finalized a parenting plan—or maybe you’re still in the thick of creating one—and already the red flags are flying: missed handoffs, miscommunication, recurring arguments about decisions you thought were already made. If you are working with the courts, cue the Parenting Coordinator. A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral third party, appointed by the …
