Divorce & Money: Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce 13th Edition

All the information you need to split your assets, easily and fairly Major financial decisions are often overwhelming, but they can feel downright impossible when you’re in the midst of a divorce. Turn to Divorce & Money , the acclaimed guide that translates complex financial concepts into plain language to help you: create a cash flow statement using your income and expenses uncover your spouse’s financial information determine the value of real estate, retirement accounts, and other assets understand how child support and alimony are calculated divide your property and debts fairly negotiate a comprehensive settlement achieve financial stability after divorce, and learn when and how to talk to a professional (attorney, tax adviser, or appraiser). The 13th edition is updated with the latest tax figures and information about the new law affecting alimony. Cover Title Page Table of Contents Introduction: Your Financial Companion During Divorce If You Are Feeling Overwhelmed ... Managing Your Divorce in Troubled Financial Times How to Use This Book A Note on Same-Sex Marriage and This Book 1: Legal vs. Financial Realities of Divorce Lessons in Legal Reality Your Best Strategy: Think Financially—Act Legally Legal vs. Financial Stages of Divorce 2: Financial Realities No One Talks About In Divorce, Everything Takes Longer and Costs More You’re at Risk When You’re Financially Connected to Another Person The IRS Is Watching Your Divorce Cash Is King You’re Playing for Keeps 3: Emotional Divorce: Managing the “Money Crazies” Reduce Stress Whenever You Can Safeguard Your Sanity Watch Out for Sore Spots Be Prepared for the Worst Develop a Financially Focused Mental Attitude Avoid the “All at Once” Syndrome Manage the Ebb and Flow of Emotions Don’t Let Financial Tasks Overwhelm You 4: The Hardest Part: Is My Marriage Really Over? 5: The Separation: What Happens When One Spouse Moves Out? The Separation Date Building a Better Credit Report and Credit Score Social Security Benefits After Divorce Questions to Ask an Attorney 6: Closing the Books: What Do We Do With Joint Property? Joint Account Checklist Questions to Ask an Attorney 7: Getting Help: Whom Can I Turn To? Questions to Consider When Seeking Outside Help Selecting Professionals to Assist You 8: Financial Fact-Finding: What Must I Know and When Must I Know It? Advice to the Terminally Disorganized If You Think Your Spouse May Be Hiding Assets Don’t Forget the “Easy-to-Forget” Assets The W-2 and the Tax Return What About the Gifts You Gave Me? Financial Facts Checklist Questions to Ask an Attorney 9: Facing the Future: What Must I Plan For? Major Upcoming Life Events Anticipated Financial Commitments Major Goals That Will Cost Money Where Does the Money Come From? 10: Protecting Against Risks to Life, Health, and Property Insurance Property and Estate Protection Questions to Ask an Attorney 11: Taxes: How Do I File and Pay? Get a Rough Estimate of Your Tax Bill Which Status Is Better to Use When Filing Tax Returns? When in Doubt, File Separately What to Know If You File Jointly Dividing the Joint Tax Liability—Or the Refund Tax Issues Involving Temporary Alimony or Child Support Get Your Tax Agreement in Writing Questions to Ask a Tax Adviser 12: Property and Expenses: Who Owns and Who Owes What? Who Owns What—Marital Property and the Laws of Your State Who Knows What—Using Legal Discovery Net Worth—What Do You Own and What Do You Owe? The Difference Between Assets and Income Cash Flow—Where Does the Money Go? Questions to Ask an Attorney 13: What Will Happen to the House? Financial vs. Legal Realities The House—Keep It, Transfer It, or Sell It? Now or Later? Steps Toward Settling the House Questions to Ask an Attorney or Financial Adviser 14: Retirement Benefits: Who Gets What? Understanding Retirement Plans Qualified Domestic Relations Orders The Legal Value of Your Retirement Plans The Financial Value of Your Retirement Plans Calculating the Financial Value of Plans Additional Financial Factors Affecting Retirement Plan Divisions The Division Decision: Now or in the Future Questions to Ask an Attorney 15: Financial Investments: How Do We Divide the Portfolio Pie? Concepts to Consider Steps to a Settlement 16: Evaluating Employee Benefits and Stock Options Employee Benefits Stock Options and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans Questions to Ask an Attorney or a Tax Specialist 17: How Will We Divide Debts? General Rules on Who’s Responsible for Debt If You Live in a Community Property State Listing Your Debts Marital Debts and Bankruptcy Dividing Debts at Divorce Dividing Debts When There’s Nothing to Fight Over Questions to Ask a Divorce Attorney Questions to Ask a Bankruptcy Attorney 18: Child Support and Alimony: What Might I Pay or Receive? Child Support—Legal, Financial, and Emotional Realities Steps to a Settlement Alimony—Legal, Financial, and Emotional Realities Steps to a Settlement Questions to Ask an Attorney 19: Negotiating and Finalizing the Best Possible Settlement Have You Done Your Financial Homework? Tallying Your Marital Balance Sheet How Are the Offers and Counteroffers Made? How Do You Finalize the Settlement? Divorce Ceremonies 20: After the Divorce: How Do I Get From “We” to “Me”? How Do I Finish the Business of Divorce? Can I—Or My Ex-Spouse—Change the Settlement? What Do I Want to Do With My Life? If You Find a New Love, Protect Your Old Assets ... and Your Alimony How Can I Move Beyond the Divorce? Appendix Law Libraries Lawyers and Typing Services Online Legal Resources Additional Resources Present Value Factors Future Value Factors List of Professional Advisers Index Book Registration Additional Divorce and Family Law Resources at Nolo.com Divorce & Money Helps Demystify The Financial Aspects Of Divorce With Clear And Thorough Information. Using The Book's Detailed, Fully-explained Charts And Worksheets, Readers Can Work Step-by-step Through Their Own Finances Without Having To Rely Exclusively On An Expensive Lawyer Or Financial Expert.