Alpharetta Family Law Blog

Avoiding a big IRA mistake in divorce

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in High Asset Divorce on Friday, May 18, 2018.

In most divorces, there is at least one dispute difficult to resolve before the marriage can be legally brought to a close. In some divorces, the most difficult disagreements can be found in emotionally charged matters such as child custody. In other situations, the most contentious conflicts are over how to distribute marital assets such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), real estate, pension, stock holdings, savings and so on.

We read recently of a doctor who made a costly IRA mistake in his divorce. He found himself in Tax Court earlier this year after he failed to pay taxes on $140,000 in IRA withdrawals transferred to his former wife.

Who gets the pet after divorce?

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Many married couples treat their furry friends like children. This is particularly true for couples who do not have any children yet. However, if the marriage ends, then pet custody becomes a point of contention.

During divorce proceedings, the topic of pet ownership can come up. If you and your spouse both actively want the dog or cat, then the judge will need to decide who is the best fit for overseeing the pet's well-being. However, it is also important to consider whether you can reach a resolution outside of the courtroom.

Using Mediation to Protect Your Children in Divorce

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in High Asset Divorce on Friday, May 11, 2018.

For most couples facing divorce, the children are the most important thing to consider. Parents need to make sure their kids get the best outcome possible in terms of child custody, parenting plans and child support arrangements.

However, in addition to considerations of custody and support for the kids, parents should consider protecting their children through the actual process of the divorce. When it comes to protecting your children in your divorce, how you go about resolving your contentious divorce issues can be just as important as the outcome of these matters.

Parental alienation claims need to be fought against aggressively

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in High Asset Divorce on Monday, May 7, 2018.

Parental alienation is an important concept in divorce and custody law. It is important to be able to protect one parent from the other parent turning the children against them. Without a claim of parental alienation, many parents would lose out on some of their custody rights.

However, there are some significant negative aspects of parental alienation and how it often plays out in divorce and custody litigation. In far too many cases, one divorcing spouse will try to manipulate the system and falsify instances of alienation. It is important to protect yourself from these falsified claims of alienation to protect your rights as a parent.

Mediation might fit your divorce better than litigation

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in Property Division on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

Emotions can run high in divorce. Difficult disputes over important matters such as the division of marital property, child custody and child support, alimony (also known as spousal support) and other issues can make feelings run even hotter.

In many cases, mediation provides an alternative to the traditional divorce process. Mediation is typically less antagonistic than litigation and can often be a cost-effective way of resolving emotionally charged disagreements.

Study: Household chores disputes factor in 25 percent of divorces

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in Property Division on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

Who is going to do the dishes, mow the yard and clean the cat litter? Who is going to vacuum the living room and who is taking care of laundry? Who is going grocery shopping and who is undertaking spring cleaning? Unsurprisingly, questions over household chores are often the source of conflict in marriage.

In fact, a new paper from Harvard Business School and the University of British Columbia makes the remarkable claim that “disagreements about housework” is a significant factor in one fourth of all divorces, trailing closely behind infidelity (40 percent) and “drifting apart” (35 percent).

Study: genetics a significant factor in divorce

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in Property Division on Friday, April 6, 2018.

If you look back in time at your parents, grandparents and beyond, do you see a history of long marriages or do you see stories of separations and divorces? According to a new study, your family narrative is an indication that genetics plays a significant role in whether or not you will get a divorce and whether your offspring will one day be sitting down with family law attorneys to discuss property division, child custody and related matters.

Lead researcher and professor at Virginia Commonwealth University Jessica Salvatore said, “We found that the reason the children of divorced parents are more likely to experience divorce themselves is because of genes shared between parents and children.”

3 tips for facing a high-asset divorce in Georgia

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in blog on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

Divorce is difficult, no matter how high or low your income may be. However, a high-asset divorce poses particular challenges that are important for you to understand if you are part of a couple with a high net worth and are now facing divorce.

As you look to the future and make decisions pertaining to your pending divorce, ensure you are aware of these three factors in high-asset divorces in Georgia. With the aid of a qualified family law attorney who works with high-asset divorces, you can overcome a difficult time and build for your financial future.

Who gets the art? Division of valuable assets in divorce

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in High Asset Divorce on Monday, April 2, 2018.

In the process of divorce, the court divides the property between the divorcing parties. This is no major revelation, and in concept this is a pretty simple operation: After determining the value of the various properties to be divided, the court separates the property between the two.

The problems often arise when it comes to determining the value of the properties. Especially in high-asset divorces that involve major holdings, properties of fluctuating values, extremely high value properties and other multi-dimensional assets.

Working after retirement is good financial protection for divorce

On behalf of Samuel Siemon (The Siemon Law Firm) of The Siemon Law Firm posted in Property Division on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

For couples who are reaching retirement age, divorce might be an attractive option. However, there are some significant consequences and dangers that many people might not anticipate.

One of the primary risks involves financial security in your retirement years after a divorce. For many people, divorced and married, working during retirement years can be a great protection against some of the financial and personal dangers presented by late-life divorce.