June 2014

Financial documents could help Massachusetts alimony proceedings

Going through divorce can be financially trying for the Massachusetts parties involved. There are, at times, many fees that come along with the proceedings, and individuals may also need to determine how they are going to handle their household finances once they are no longer married. In many cases, this could mean that alimony is paid from one spouse to the other to help supplement their income. When it comes to determining alimony amounts, it is important that all financial information is disclosed. It is true that some parties may feel negatively about such proceedings, and in an attempt to appear less financially inclined, one party may attempt to hide certain accounts or assets. If a party does attempt such actions, the other party could potentially not receive the proper amount of alimony. By gathering important documents, parties may be better able to keep the other individuals involved from hiding information. Tax returns, bank account information and other such documents could provide important information to the court when it comes to assessing the financial situations of each party. Because such documents are typically legally binding and come with severe penalties if they are not filled out honestly, most individuals typically disclose the correct information. Because alimony and other spousal support can be a trying topic for some parties, it is not surprising that some individuals may wish to hide certain information in order to come out better. As a result, parties who are in need of such support may need

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Massachusetts fathers may wish to seek shared custody

It is an unfortunate situation when children become tools for parents to use against each other when they are going through divorce. When this occurs, the children are more likely to be negatively affected than the other parent. Therefore, seeking shared custody of children may be the most beneficial route. However, Massachusetts parents must be willing to work together. When parties go through divorce, it is not uncommon for there to be some anger involved initially. If a parent wishes to use that resentment in order to attempt to hurt the other parent during child custody proceedings, they may try to gain more custody or even sole custody of their children. Working together as parents even after a divorce can potentially be beneficial for the children involved, and in that case, both parents would need to encourage a healthy relationship with the other parent. In order to effectively co-parent, each party must also be willing to do their share as a parent. Custody agreements are drawn up in order for each parent to understand what is expected of them after the divorce and custody proceedings are concluded. If a parent does not make the effort to follow those agreements, children may end up with a stronger relationship with one parent over the other. Shared custody may not be the right choice for everyone, but as many parents want to remain a part of their children’s lives, working together after divorce may be the best route for some. Co-parenting may be

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Beyond equitable distribution: the financial impact of divorce

When facing a divorce, a Massachusetts couple will likely consider equitable distribution of things, such as which spouse will keep the house, child custody and spousal support. However, there is much more to the divorce process than just equitable distribution of assets and property. There are long-term financial consequences that should be considered by both parties when working through a divorce. A divorce can have a major financial impact on an individual and family. Before or during the early stages of a divorce, it is beneficial for both parties to gather the financial information all assets. This includes retirement funds, long-term savings, vacation properties and more. Organizing tax records can also expedite the process of determining child and spousal support. Massachusetts couples may not ever consider which spouse will carry the debt burden leftover from the marriage. This is especially important for a couple who has a large amount of debt from credit cards, medical bills or a mortgage. This may make it difficult to establish separate finances, but it can be done with the correct preparation and legal guidance. It should be noted that couples should clearly designate in a divorce settlement how retirement funds and other long-term savings will be divided. Separating finances is one of the most complicated aspects of a divorce. Equitable distribution is a common goal for many individuals facing a divorce, but the long-term impact of financial distribution should be carefully considered. When an individual enters the divorce process with clearly established goals and

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Financial aspects of property division should be considered

The financial repercussions of divorce in Massachusetts can affect all parties going through the process. Fees and other expenses related to the proceedings can at times be burdening for some parties, but the monetary implications do not end there. Property division decisions can continue to affect individuals’ finances after the agreements have been made and the ownership of assets determined. Taxes are a big reason why division of the assets can have a considerable financial impact. If taxes are not considered when dividing property, an individual may find that they did not come out as well as they may have imagined. Therefore, it is important to examine assets from an after-tax point-of-view that will allow the true worth of certain property to be determined along with how that could affect the receiving party. Determining who will maintain ownership of the home can also play a significant role in the division process and affect the finances of the parties involved. If one party maintains ownership of the house and the other moves to a different location, looking into the tax implications of such a transfer could be prudent. There are also different aspects to consider if both parties maintain ownership of the home while only one of the individuals remains living in it. The property division process can be a complicated one in some situations. As a result, understanding how the proceedings are handled in Massachusetts and what regulations could come into play may lead to a less stressful procedure. Many

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