At the end of a marriage - Learn how to protect your future

1. At the end of a marriage? Learn how to protect your future.

2. Synopsis 1. What is a Family Lawyer? 2. Finding a Divorce Lawyer 3. What You Need to Know about Spousal Support 4. Finding a High Net Worth Divorce Attorney 5. Child Custody Lawyers

3. What is a Family Lawyer? • What is a Family Lawyer? • Family law deals with the laws that have to do with marriage and domestic relationships. An attorney that specializes in these areas of the law is called a Family Lawyer. By reading on, you can learn more on what family lawyers do, when you may need one, and how to find one if you do. • What do Family Lawyers Do? • When two people set out to start a family, they do not initially require any legal assistance; however, should that family dissolve that is when the assistance of a family lawyer is needed. When it comes to handling matters of the heart, it can become a very emotional and trying time; for this reason, there are family lawyers that are specialized in handling marriage, same-sex marriage, child custody, adoption, and all laws and regulations regarding separation, annulment and divorce. • When Are Family Lawyers Needed? • Some of the subjects that a family lawyer handles are marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. A family lawyer ensures that these relationships were entered into legally and, when necessary, are dissolved within the scope of the law. Some of the ways a marriage or domestic partnership ends is through divorce, annulment, and property settlements. Other issues that may require a family lawyer are alimony, child custody, support, and visitation rights should there be any minor children remaining in the relationship.

4. What is a Family Lawyer? • A family lawyer may also be called upon in the following instances: • The adoption of a minor child or, in some cases, an adult. • Advising a surrogate mother of her birthing rights, as well as the laws and process of being a surrogate • Cases that involve child protection. A family lawyer will be called upon when the state has intervened in cases where there has been abuse or neglect of a child • Cases when juveniles involved in legal issues. These issues can be anything from a juvenile committing an actual offense, to emancipation, delinquency, and juvenile adjudication • Cases where paternity is a question, or when there is a hearing that has been set to establish or disestablish the paternity of a child

5. Finding a Divorce Lawyer • Have Realistic Expectations • The primary purpose for hiring a divorce attorney is for aid in dissolving acquired marital assets and finding an amicable resolution to child custody/support or alimony support issues. The job of the attorney you hire is to get you through this process as quickly and fairly as possible for all parties involved. Attorneys work according to billable hours, and it would be a waste of your money if you are spending a lot of time discussing your emotions regarding the divorce instead of allowing your attorney to get down to the legalities of it all. • Focus on the Big Picture • You need to get through the whole process of divorce with as little impact to your current lifestyle as possible. When negotiating over material items, try not to allow your emotions to make snap judgments for you. By arguing over these material items, you are costing yourself more money by making the attorney work longer hours. Keep what is important as your primary focus; you want to get the entire divorce process over and completed as quickly as possible so you can go on with your life.

6. Finding a Divorce Lawyer • Know What You Want • Is a divorce lawyer really necessary? Unless there are a lot of financial issues or children involved, many divorces can be settled outside the litigation process and can be completed with a mediator. You can get your divorce faster and for a lot less money through the mediation process, and in such cases, you do not need to hire a divorce attorney at all. Of course, there are circumstances in which a divorce attorney will be needed, such as when making legal negotiations with and actually coming to a settlement with your spouse. However, if there are no real complex issues, mediation is an option for you to think about. • Find at Least Three Potential Attorneys • When you are seeking a divorce lawyer, do not hire the very first one you call. You should make a list of at least three potential attorneys to interview. When you are in need of a divorce attorney, you need to ensure that the one your hire is going to be experienced in the field of family law that your divorce falls under.

7. What You Need to Know about Spousal Support • A Brief History • The history of spousal support dates back to The Code of Hammurabi, from 1754 B.C. This code states that a man who wishes to separate from his wife should pay the woman who has borne his children a maintenance amount in order for her to be able to raise the children. • The contemporary idea of alimony in England is a product of the English ecclesiastical courts, in that alimony is awarded following proceedings of legal separation or divorce. Alimony pendent life is something that a husband is ordered to pay until the divorce is granted. This ensures that the husband continues to provide financial support for the wife for as long as the marriage continues. Alimony is awarded based on the knowledge that the marriage is continuing; that divorce did not end the marriage and the husband was still responsible to support his wife. • When the proceedings for the dissolution of a marriage have begun, it is the right of either party to seek alimony support payments throughout the course of a litigation trial. If the parties involved do not make it known in writing what the monetary alimony obligation will be, the court makes a decision as to the amount based on monetary evidence provided by both parties.

8. What You Need to Know about Spousal Support • Factors Affecting Alimony Payments • In the United States, alimony is determined based upon different factors and elements that occur at the time of the hearing. The period of alimony is also variable, and some states, such as Texas, Montana, Kansas, Utah, Kentucky, and Maine, have precise guidelines that judges must follow when awarding alimony. • For example, in states such as Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi, the monthly amount paid is either $2,500 or 40% of the payer’s total monthly income, whichever is less. In these states, alimony is also only awarded to a person if the marriage lasted at least ten years, and is awarded for a period of three years (unless other circumstances exist). • Some states, such as New York, consider any educational degree that were earned while married; a part of the marital property. This means that the divorce decree will require payment of the educated spouse to the other spouse a part of their expectant earnings from employment gained as a result of the degree. • Prenuptial Agreements • In some cases, alimony may be waived. These cases include when there is a prenuptial agreement in place in which the spouse as signed away their rights to any alimony. However, if there are inequalities between the parties at the time of divorce that are too large, the prenuptial agreement may be disallowed. • If a party gets married in a state that allows prenuptial agreements to exclude alimony, but then later divorces in a state that does not allow the exclusion of alimony, then the laws of the state in which the divorce took place will prevail.

9. Finding a High Net Worth Divorce Attorney • Protecting your Assets • For high net worth individuals, legal professionals recommend drawing up prenuptial or postnuptial agreements to determine the division of assets in the event of divorce. Though certainly not romantic, such agreements are smart and often necessary; in the event of divorce, this financial insurance can be used as legal protection during the division of assets. Of course, even if one has the foresight to draw up a pre- or postnuptial agreement, such agreements are never ironclad and can be challenged in court. If you are a high net worth individual, you can take every reasonable step to protect your assets in the event of divorce, and yet your financial security can still be at risk. . Your best source of legal protection is an intelligent, experienced attorney with a successful history of navigating divorces where large financial sums are divided. • Why Do I Need a High Net Worth Divorce Attorney? • Divorce, unfortunately, can sometimes bring out the worst in people. Some of the most intimate (and often embarrassing) details of the downfall of a marriage have been raised in a courtroom in order to bolster one party’s side of the argument. From infidelity to allegations of abuse, at times, there is little discretion inside a courtroom. Ultimately, even when such allegations are false, they can be extremely damaging to a person’s reputation.

10. Finding a High Net Worth Divorce Attorney • Allegations of impropriety, infidelity, substance abuse and instability are damaging enough within the walls of a courtroom, and the salacious details of a divorce often spread quickly. Rumors can cause irrevocable damage. So, in the interest of protecting a person’s personal and/or professional reputation, a party may be pressured to enter into an unfair settlement to avoid continuing a legal battle. Some of this behavior may rise to the level of extortion or even blackmail, but for some, a payout may be less painful than contentious, libelous and/or slanderous litigation. High Net Worth Divorce Attorneys can help you avoid falling victim to these potential pitfalls and protect your assets. • Finding the Right Attorney • When dealing with a high net worth divorce, it is of the utmost importance that you retain qualified, experienced and aggressive counsel. It is untrue that an attorney will only be interested in representing you in order to bring in a substantial legal fee. Ethical attorneys establish their fees and retainers upfront and are committed to zealous representation, not financially exploiting their clients. If you are involved in a high net worth divorce, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence and find the right legal counsel to represent you. Be sure to check out peer-reviewed websites with client testimonials and check out an attorney’s legal track record. A competent attorney will guide you through your divorce, leaving you feeling confident that you are in qualified hands.

11. Child Custody Lawyers • Why Hire a Child Custody Lawyer? • Whether married or unmarried, when two parents are separated and need to draw up a custody agreement, they will usually start the process off with the best of intentions. Barring an abusive, unstable or unsafe environment, it is unlikely that one parent will attempt to deprive the other of spending time with his or her child. Regardless, custody arrangements can get complicated. Who gets custody during holidays and vacations? This is just one of many questions with no easy answer. Additionally, even when both parties have the best of intentions, separation and custody arrangements are very emotional matters, and an unbiased and educated third party can keep the process on track. This bolsters the case for involving legal counsel to prepare an agreement, putting emotions aside and focusing on the child. • How Custody Lawyers Can Help • In some cases, one attorney can be retained to draw up a child custody agreement that both parties can agree on. In other situations, particularly those that are hostile or contentious, it may be necessary for both parties to retain counsel. While it can be expensive to retain counsel to establish child custody agreements, more often than not, it results in the most optimal results for the child involved. Attorneys are able to pragmatically assess the situation so that the child is raised in the best environment possible. Legally binding agreements serve not only to protect the children involved but also the parents, to avoid future disputes and to establish a clear, regimented custody schedule to avoid future conflict and instability.

12. For more details, please visit: https://www.cindydsackrinlaw.com/ 2100 E Hallandale Beach Blvd #200 Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 Phone: 954-455-0800 Fax: 954-455-9649