If you plan to take money out of a retirement plan with a QDRO, you should know that there is a 10 percent plan penalty. However, it’s sometimes possible to withdraw money from the plan prior to retirement. One of the times you can withdraw…
If you’re divorcing a spouse who has considerable assets, they may propose paying you spousal support in one lump-sum payment as opposed to making monthly payments over a period of years. People often prefer (if they have the means) to do that just to put…
If you are getting a divorce, one of the things you may need to deal with is a qualified domestic relations order. This is also known as a QDRO. A QDRO is a court-ordered judgment that tells a retirement plan to pay for a former…
Something that many people deal with during divorce is anxiety. It may be the anxiety of losing a spouse, losing a second income or being separated from children. It could be anxiety about finding money to pay for legal expenses or anxiety about living alone.…
For most people going through divorce in their 20s, 30s or 40s, retirement is far from the first thing on their minds. Instead, a fair financial settlement is likely to be the larger priority. But if you do not give serious thought to retirement now,…
No divorce is easy for anyone involved, and that includes the two families caught up in the crossfire. It can be hard for in-laws to stay out of your business during this stressful time, which can lead to hard feelings and even calls to the…
Every divorce results in some emotional changes in those involved. There are actually around five stages of emotions that people will go through. The interesting thing about the emotional stages of divorce is that they are not always in order. Someone might start out angry…
There really isn’t ever a good time to get divorced. For some people, this major life change comes during the winter holiday season. If you are in this position, you need to make sure that you are planning for the emotions that are likely going…
Marriage is a daily challenge to try to make things work. When one spouse suffers from a mental illness like bipolar disorder, the marital struggle is more intense. There are some instances in which a spouse’s mental illness can contribute to or cause a divorce.…
When you make the decision to divorce your spouse, you need to make sure that you have things together to protect yourself. There are some splits that are amicable; however, others are filled with disagreements. Even if you and your spouse get along fairly well,…
Divorce is fraught with emotion. When the spousal relationship dissolves, it can create stress and bring out the worst in some people. While it can seem cold to say so, it is important for the parties seeking a Connecticut divorce to approach the process rationally.…
Handling the logistical nightmare that a divorce brings can be challenging. You have to think about where you are going to live if you are the one leaving the marital home. Changing your mailing address and working through the divorce matters can all be a…
The process of divorce is one that can impact people differently. If you are in the midst of a divorce or realize that your marriage is ending, consider these tips to help you as work through the legal process. One of the most important things…
When you feel like your marriage is failing, you have an important decision to make. You need to think about whether your marriage is worth fighting for or if you are ready to let it go. If the answer is that you are ready to…