August 2013

Social media could affect high net-worth divorce in Massachusetts

Massachusetts residents going through a high net-worth divorce may not realize the impact the use of social media can have on the outcome of their divorce. Most people use at least one form of social media without realizing the repercussions it could have. A recent article that discussed social media outlets and the surprising ways they can impact a divorce settlement may be of special interest to those facing a high net-worth divorce. One of the things the article pointed out is that couples typically have mutual friends that will feel forced to choose one person’s side. Therefore, anything posted on a social media outlet, such as Twitter or Facebook can easily be relayed to the other party in the divorce. This can be an issue if one person is posting pictures of expensive trips or things about their spending habits if they’re trying to hide some of their assets during the divorce process. Other forms of communication including emails and text messages could also potentially be subpoenaed in court. Therefore, a person may want to keep in mind that anything they type, send, or post can be used against them. The article suggests a person doesn’t say anything they wouldn’t announce to the entire world. If the husband has a girlfriend he is providing for financially, and there is any evidence of that, it can be used in court. A high net-worth divorce can be a complicated situation that can be made a little easier by having an understanding

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Murdoch split highlights difficulties in high net-worth divorces

Most Massachusetts couples involved in the dissolution of their marriage do not have to deal with complex property division. Most divorcing couples do not have millions in assets to consider. For those couples such as Rupert and Wendi Murdoch who are currently involved in a high net-worth divorce, the issues can become more complex and may require greater amounts of time and negotiation to resolve. Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul is ending his 14 year marriage to his wife. In spite of legal contracts drawn up prior to the marriage (pre-nuptial) and during the marriage (post-nuptial) there are still many issues that will need to be resolved. The couple had two children during the course of the marriage. Accordingly, custody and visitation will have to be determined. Family trusts that have been created may need to have new administrators selected, and marital assets outside the scope of post-nuptial agreements will need to be divided fairly. Although discussions regarding the division of property and schedules of assets are all very impersonal and business-oriented, it should be remembered that a divorce is not often just the dissolution of an economic relationship. Frequently, strong emotions play a part in the success or failure of negotiations and proposed divorce settlements. Money issues aside, it is still the deconstruction of a family and therefore should be handled with care and respect for the feelings of all those involved. Those in Massachusetts who, like the Wendy and Rupert Murdoch, are dealing with a high net-worth divorce

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Alimony discussion important for many ending marriage

Massachusetts couples who have started or are contemplating divorce proceedings have many things to take into consideration, especially in regard to a request for alimony. Many divorce decisions must be made which factor into every single facet of life — from living arrangements to daily budgets. It is also important to gauge whether alimony may be necessary for the maintenance of that budget. How to live on a single income becomes a significant factor to consider. Finalizing a divorce does not always end all ties between two people, especially if a financial arrangement is necessary during the dissolution of a marriage. Alimony is often paid to an ex-spouse for a certain amount of time as ordered by the court. This income can be a necessity to a person who did not work during a marriage. Those who need time to prepare for reentering the work force or for those unable to work due to childcare responsibilities or other reasons may have a need for alimony. Divorce can be financially and emotionally draining. Some couples are able to deal with the stress with little to no intervention from outside sources. However, dealing with custody issues, dividing assets, alimony disputes and other difficult issues can make the process of ending a marriage seem long and difficult. For those in Massachusetts that are confronting these important issues, court proceedings may be necessary in those situations where the parties cannot come to an agreement among themselves. Many couples are not able to agree on

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Pets more than just marital property in a divorce

Most Massachusetts pet owners would be horrified if their precious furry friends were referred to as property, akin to a chair or table. Many couples see their dogs, cats and other pets as true family members; however, in a court of law, pets are seen as marital property during a divorce. This is a difficult realization for many couples attempting to decide what happens to their pets when their relationship ends. It’s the incredible attachment people have to their animals that is making more people fight over them once they decide to end their relationship in divorce. Those watching current trends in divorce have seen an increase in couples attempting to receive joint custody of their pets. Many couples care for their pets as if they were children and when their relationship ends decisions must be made as to the continued care of their pets. Regardless of whether the discussion is related to pets, children, monetary assets or property, the end of a relationship can bring on heated battles in how these are divided and shared. Many couples attempt to deal with this alone, which can lead to negative feelings and make the aftermath of a divorce bitter. Some couples decide on alternative dispute resolution techniques in order to address property division. Massachusetts couples considering divorce or currently going through the dissolution of a marriage may have difficult decisions to make in regards to the distribution of marital property, including pets, as they go through the process of ending their

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