Blog Posts in October, 2014

Avoiding Prenup Challenges Based on Ambiguous Wording

Robert Soros, deputy chairman and president of the $28 billion Soros Fund Management, is in the middle of a messy divorce from wife Melissa Robin Schiff. Soros allegedly cheated on his wife with model Meredith Ostrom, causing Schiff to push for a punitive divorce settlement. The couple, who have been married 22 years, have a prenuptial agreement. However, Schiff is arguing that the prenup is ...

The Pitfalls of DIY Estate Planning

In many aspects of life, the do-it-yourself impulse is commendable. Sewing a quilt for your bedroom, making your own furniture from recycled materials, and canning fresh veggies from your garden are all wonderful ways to spend your free time and save resources. When it comes to estate planning, however, it's best to seek out the assistance of a professional. The main problem with DIY estate ...

Estate Planning for a Vacation Home

Many people dream of having a vacation home. But while these homes can provide relaxation and time away from "real life", they can also present some difficult estate planning issues, as they have both financial and sentimental value. If you own a vacation home, you must carefully consider how you handle this asset in your estate plan. One potential problem arises when the owner wants to keep their ...

Do Engagement Rings Predict Divorce Risk?

Expensive engagement rings are not always what they're cracked up to be. According to a recent study entitled "A Diamond is Forever and Other Fairy Tales" by Andrew M. Francis and Hugo M. Mialon of the Emory University Department of Economics, men who spent between $500 and $2,000 on an engagement ring had a substantially lower risk of divorce than those who purchased a ring costing $2,000 or ...

Heidi Klum Finalizes Her Divorce from Seal: Terms of Postnup Ease the Settlement Process

Last week supermodel Heidi Klum's divorce from singer Seal became final. Klum and Seal first began dating in 2004 (while she was pregnant with her daughter Leni from former boyfriend Flavio Briatore) and married on May 10, 2005. The couple had three biological children together: son Henry Gunther Ademola Dashtu Samuel (born 2005), son Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel (born 2006), and daughter Lou ...

Celebrate National Estate Planning Awareness Week

National Estate Planning Awareness Week is celebrated each year during the third week of October. This holiday was created by Congress in 2008, based on an estimate that over 120 million Americans do not have an up-to-date estate plan to protect themselves and their families in the event of illness, injury, or untimely death. Nobody likes to think about what will happen after their death, but ...

What to Do When You Want a Divorce and Your Husband Doesn't

Statistics show that women initiate divorce at higher rates than men. In some cases, the spouses agree that ending their marriage is the best solution. In other cases, however, the husband remains reluctant to follow through with the divorce. Since California is a no-fault divorce state, you can end your marriage whether your spouse agrees with your decision or not. That said, if your husband does ...

Estate Planning Tips for People in Their 30s

When you're in your 30s, estate planning is probably the furthest thing from your mind. But no one knows what the future holds, that's why any estate planning attorney will recommend you start developing an estate plan now to make sure your family and assets are protected. Having a last will and testament is important for anyone, but it's absolutely vital for parents with young children. A will ...