The Latest News Divorce

One of the earlier questions a client usually asks during a consultation for divorce is what are the monetary costs (legal fees) of obtaining a divorce.  The reality is, in New York, the costs for a divorce are slightly higher than the national average.  However, that takes into account that the divorce rate is higher in New York than in other places in the country, as well as the fact that the cost of living and earnings of people in New York are also higher. 

Unfortunately, the process between court fees and the documentation required by the courts in order to grant a divorce cannot be avoided.  Therefore, the actual costs of your divorce will vary, depending on the complexity of your matter as well as which method or process you utilize.  Obviously a highly contested divorce, i.e. with two attorneys fighting every issue out through the court system can become astronomically expensive.  Collaborative divorce and mediation are less expensive and are a much more holistic approach. 

However, when all is said and done, in my opinion and experience, Mediation and the Collaborative process can run about the same.  Again, each case is different and it depends largely upon the complexity of your circumstances i.e. whether there are children, retirement assets, marital assets and debt, etc.

It's important to have the right professional to help you navigate any process.  That is why a collaborative divorce, using collaboratively trained professionals, in my opinion, is the best and most holistic approach and when compared with the alternatives is the most cost effective.

If you have any questions please contact me @ Spiriolaw.com or one of the amazing Collaborative Divorce Professionals @ LICDP.com

Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

So, have you heard of “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”?  Well, a renowned psychologist, after studying couples over fourteen years, was able to identify behaviors that can predict when a marriage would end with astounding precision. He has dubbed the four behaviors as “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”.

As this article goes into more detail, the four behaviors are Contempt, Criticism, Defensiveness and Stonewalling. It is a very interesting read. My question to you is, if you see these signs, how would you react and what would/could you do to rectify and save the marriage?

Remember the Collaborative process has professionals to help with any rising conflicts.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Rebecca Strong, askmen(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of Pixabay

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 35 Years.

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This article talks about a “gray divorce”.  A “gray divorce” refers to divorces that occur later in life and involve spouses who are 50 years or older. 

Divorce is difficult at any age, but a gray divorce can have its own specific challenges.  Many times the plans for retirement and finances to sustain retirement are part of a complex long term plan, involving both people and their individual assets.  Looking to separate and divide retirement assets may not afford each person of the couple to live as they intended in retirement.  This obviously creates its own unique set of challenges as well as emotions. 

Other than losing a spouse or a child, a divorce sometimes is the most traumatic and painful experience one can have in life.  The emotions that are typically involved can be exacerbated when dealing with an older individual, whom many times have been married for more than half of their life.

There is also a great misconception on how a “gray divorce” affects adult children.  Many times our perception is that adult children are in a better position to handle divorce.  Although that may be the case, many times and more often than not, adult children have as much trauma in navigating their parents divorce as do young children. 

This article examines five common reasons why gray divorce happens to older couples.  As in any divorce, you need the proper professionals to help you navigate such a difficult process.  This is why collaborative divorce and the professionals of the Long Island Collaborative Divorce Professionals are best suited and trained to help couples through this difficult time and help find creative solutions.  No matter what age, put yourselves in the best hands to navigate your divorce with integrity and dignity.  We are here to answer any questions you may have.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Babita Spinelli of YourTango.com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

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Many people don't realize until they are going through it, the extreme stress that the divorce process creates for the parties.  Other than the death of a child or spouse, getting divorced can be one of the most horrific times of a person's life.  This stress is guaranteed to last for several months and for some, years, depending on whether the parties go through a litigated and highly contested divorce or choose an alternative method with a more holistic approach, such as Mediation and Collaborative Divorce.  Having to appear in the Courthouse; going into a Courtroom; and being addressed by a Judge who now has control over your life and your children is extremely scary and stressful for most people. This is why using Collaborative or Mediation is extremely helpful in alleviating much of the stress caused by the Court System.  In both Collaborative Divorce and Mediation the parties never have to personally go to Court; only their paperwork goes to the Courthouse to get processed.  That is a big difference and it alleviates a tremendous amount of stress for the parties.

Even under the best of circumstances, the dissolution of a marriage or a significant life partner relationship has inherit stress and has highly charged emotional aspects.  Even when you are choosing a holistic approach, stress is involved.  That is why using the Collaborative method is so beneficial.  One of the members of the professional team is a mental health specialist who acts as a family specialist or divorce coach, helping guide the couple and navigating through difficult communication. 

This article highlights different tips that you can take on how to help yourself through the stress.  One being getting a therapist or a divorce coach that you can use as a sounding board and help you navigate some of the difficult issues.  Getting organized, making a plan, doing your homework and finding out about the different processes available to you, other than costly litigation, well before you choose to take those first steps towards getting divorced.  Most people feel much better when they get organized and have a plan of action.  Just taking small baby steps of getting information can help you feel more grounded and help you organize and choose a better path going forward. 

I feel taking positive action towards moving forward in a positive way are some of the biggest steps that you can take to help alleviate stress and help support yourself through an extremely difficult time.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Karen Covy of Your Tango Blog; Photo courtesy of UNSPLASH/TRENT SZMOLNIK.

Gray divorces (divorces for people over 50) can be very complicated because of lack of future earnings, resolution of retirement assets and how two people who plan to live together in retirement now must live apart in retirement.

Even more important once you are divorced, what if you want to live with someone again?  What are the ramifications of that decision and what are the things you should think about before committing to moving in with another person in an intimate relationship? 

This article addresses these concerns and some things you should really think about before taking the leap once again. 

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Jeanne Sahadi, cnn(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of Pixabay

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 35 Years.

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To warring parents, splitting up often feels like the only answer. But as Jane Green reveals from bitter experience, the fallout - for your children, your friends and yourself - can be worse than you imagined.

Most people do not realize that divorce is like a bomb going off, not only for the family, but for their extended family, their children and their friends as well.  Actor Ewan McGregor was quoted as saying that “a divorce in a family is a bomb going off in everyone’s lives…”. 

This article gives a different perspective from someone who went through a traditional divorce, and after handling the fall out of their “bomb going off," now believes in retrospect that it may have been better for their children to have stayed in a miserable marriage rather than have the family and children go through the effects of a divorce.

I would note, however, that divorce at any age, including a “gray” divorce, has an impact on children. No matter what age the children are when a divorce happens, they are impacted. Obviously, this is something that each person contemplating a divorce must think through to see what is best for them and their family.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Jane Green, DailyMail(dot)co(dot)uk
Royalty-free photo courtesy of Pixabay

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 35 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

Divorce is one of the most emotionally difficult and stressful times of anyone’s life.

Sound financial planning may not be the first thing on a divorcing couple’s mind. However, it should be one of the first considerations addressed. Many times, during the hostility and in some cases out-right war of a divorce, people make mistakes or become so frustrated and worn down that they give up, give in and fail to secure their financial future. Too often they leave themselves vulnerable and with a financial picture that is unsustainable and often unrecoverable.

It is important during this time NOT to ignore your current and future financial circumstances. It also may be extremely important and worthwhile to bring a financial professional in to consult and help evaluate a couple’s options for the benefit of both parties’ financial future.

The truth is, in many divorces, a person’s current and future well-being may be impacted more than any other aspect of their lives going forward. Parties to a divorce may be forced to make major financial decisions in a short period of time without properly reflecting upon their options. Being in a highly stressed and emotionally charged environment, trying to handle the termination and dissolution of their marriage is NOT the environment to make such impactful decisions. 

Just by its very nature, this is not a good recipe for sound decision making. That is why it is most important to have the right professionals to guide and help you through this process.

The collaborative process offers a team of professionals (including a trained Financial Professional) who are there to help and guide you, as well as work towards a creative solution so that all members of a family survive in the best of circumstances, notwithstanding the devastating effects that a divorce may have.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Andrew Osterland, cnbc(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of Pixabay

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 35 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

Covid-19 has created so many unforeseen circumstances.  For many it has created more stress; however, for some it has actually created positive results.  For this divorced couple who were forced to co-parent differently as a result of Covid, it has actually strengthened their relationship.