Few things are more dramatic on TV than a taut courtroom scene. From pioneering TV characters such as Perry Mason and Ben Matlock to more modern attorneys Alicia Florrick and Professor Annalise Keating, courtroom speeches, breakdowns and confessions have populated some of television's most popular shows.While going to trial on TV is almost always good for ratings, in real life and family law, it often makes more sense to negotiate terms of a divorce and agree to a settlement -- including the division of assets and debt -- than it does to fight it out in a Fulton County courtroom.
Courtroom dramatics are great on TV, not so great in family law
Unstable retirement economics demand a strategic approach to divorce
Many people take a minimalist approach to divorces, especially when it comes to the financial aspects of divorce. For many divorcing parties, simply getting through the divorce as quickly as possible and moving on with life are the most important goals, so they don't pay adequate attention to the financial considerations involved.
Too many divorcing millennials undervalue their 401k and IRA accounts.
Many young couples don't put much value on the retirement accounts and savings that are divided in divorce. For many in their 20s and 30s, items like houses and vehicles are seen as more important than the IRAs and 401k accounts.
Reassess your financial priorities after divorce.
Everything changes for most people during a divorce. Most people take time to reassess many aspects of their lives once they get through the divorce process. One of the most important aspects of this reassessment involves your finances.
Use caution with social media during divorce
Most of us these days use social media as an outlet to express themselves. Facebook, twitter and other social media platforms can be a great way to express our feelings to many people we know. However, this approach can be extremely dangerous during a divorce.
Where to look if you think your spouse is hiding assets
When you get divorced, you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse will likely be required to complete a financial affidavit. This legal document is necessary so that the courts can have an overview of your finances, and it is critical that this document is complete and accurate.
Options for the family home in a high asset divorce
When a high asset divorce lands on the family table, many Georgia couples anticipate a complex property division process or a frenetic legal battle. They have reason to dread the prospect, as most complex, high asset divorces are fraught with battles. After all, with so much at stake in terms of high net worth assets and marital property, both parties want their fair share.
Could people getting divorced be kept from buying firearms?
It's no secret that family law proceedings can be emotional and fraught with tension. This is understandable -- a great deal can be at stake, and not just from a financial perspective in a divorce. Parents are often willing go to battle regarding child custody, for example, and take an aggressive attitude toward their case in order to do right by their children.
Stalking: a serious problem in Georgia and across the country
Violence against victims in Georgia and nationally obviously takes many forms. With increased frequency, stalking is becoming more of a problem across the country, with millions of persons being victimized by this form of harassment.
Food for thought: Year-end musings on divorce and life thereafter
The Huffington Post published some year-end information recently that it termed “some of the most interesting facts published about divorce in 2013.”