Get a Smart Divorce Blog

A divorce settlement needs to look at the short-term and long-term financial impacts.  In the short term, what can the husband afford to pay in child support and or alimony?  What are the monthly expenses (including taxes) for both spouses and the children?  What amount of alimony does the wife...…

Divorce and alimony are topics I discuss with clients every day.  It is really very straight forward and is all about the numbers... Attorneys tell me the main issues are how much does one spouse need and what is the other able to pay.  So, it is essential that both spouses have a solid...…

Financial issues of divorce need to be clearly understood by both spouses to ensure a fair settlement.  Think about this... divorce is 45% emotional, 45% financial and 10% legal... Find this suprising?  Perhaps you are new to the world of divorce?  Granted, every case is different but, divorce...…

Divorce and taxes is a topic I discuss with clients on a daily basis. The recent tax changes have significant impacts on divorce settlements. While understanding all of the changes can be overwhelming, below are common tax issues I've been explaining to and discussing with clients and their divorce...…

Divorce mediation and alimony are topics I review daily with clients in my Brentwood, TN office. It is not a mysterious topic... Attorneys tell me alimony is determined by 16 factors (length of marriage, education of spouses, earning potential, contribution to the marriage etc.) but the two key...…

Getting a family business valued is common in divorces in Nashville. There are three methodologies to value a business - The asset approach (What assets does the business own and what are the values of those assets?), the income approach (How much annual income does the business generate?) and the...…

Divorce and tax issues are topics we frequently discuss with our Nashville and Brentwood clients because the laws are always changing. For example, as of January 1, 2019 the tax laws have changed and alimony is no longer tax deductible to the payer. Another new change is taxes are not owed by the...…

Alimony is a hot divorce topic regardless if you are in Nashville, Brentwood or Franklin Tennessee.  Calculating potential alimony is based on math... What does one spouse need and what is the other spouse able to pay?  Focusing on a very detailed expense worksheet is the best way to determine a...…

If you live in Nashville and are considering divorce or mediation, focus on the finances. Why? Because divorce is 45% emotions, 45% finances and 10% law. You really need to get your finances organized and understood before you consult an attorney. Why? Because attorneys tell me they cannot give...…

A client in my Brentwood, TN office told me her attorney suggested she hire a CPA to help her calculate alimony.  Her attorney told her that alimony is based primarily on two factors:  What does she need? and What can her husband afford to pay?  We can understand the concepts of need and ability...…

Clients in both my Brentwood and Nashville offices have recently told me they want a collaboratie divorce.  When I ask them what that means, they tell me they want to work together with their spouses and agree on a settlement.  Some professionals refer to this as a collaborative divorce while...…

A client came into my Brentwood, TN office today and stated, " My neighbor just got divorced and she got 3 years of alimony.  So is that the standard length of time for alimony?" Attorneys tell me there is no standard or typical duration for alimony or standard or typical amount for alimony. ...…

I received a phone call this morning from a man who has been thinking about divorce for about 6 months.  He and his wife have agreed their marriage is no longer working.  They have both reached out to divorce attorneys and were not pleased with the aggressive, take no prisoners approach from the...…

This 7 letter word paralyses men with fear. How much will I have to pay? For how long? It also paralyses women. Can I receive it? How much can I receive? How long will it last? I understand why this is such an emotional issue. However, emotions aside, it really comes down to numbers. Attorneys tell...…

I was in my Brentwood, TN office yesterday and a client asked me about alimony and how it was determined.  I told her it is all about the numbers and gave her my expense worksheet.  She looked at me puzzled and said, "I thought alimony was a formula".  I explained that child support is a formula...…

I received a phone call today in my Brentwood, TN office and the caller asked about collaborative divorce.  They read something on-line and wanted more information.  Here's is summary of the collaborative divorce process. A therapist coach, financial professional, attorney for the husband and...…

A client came into my Brentwood, TN office today and asked if her husband's annual bonus will be included in the alimony calculation.  I explained his annual salary will be included.  However, it is important to understand, her husband will pay taxes on his bonus so, the net bonus is considered...…

If you are divorcing and have children, it will be important for you to communicate directly with your spouse regarding parenting time, how expenses for the children will be paid and many other topics.  While this is likely a difficult time for both spouses, you know your children better than the...…

During the divorce process, emotions are heightened and it can be difficult to focus.  However, it is only after those divorcing really focus on the numbers that an acceptable settlement can be achieved. For example, a divorcing couple was in our Brentwood, TN office this morning and they said...…

A client came into my Brentwood, TN office today and mentioned he wanted to pay his wife lump sum alimony rather than paying her alimony over time.  He told me he just wanted to get the payments behind him.  I can understand his position...  We discussed what amount of monthly alimony he would...…