Practical perspectives for contemporary legal challenges.
The announcement by Bill and Melinda Gates that they were ending their 27 year marriage shocked many. However, what was even more shocking was how amicable it appeared. We hear horror stories about how contentious, emotional, and difficult divorces can be. In some cases, the mere thought of engaging in any financial and emotional warfare …
Continue reading “The Perfect Divorce: Lessons Learned From Bill and Melinda Gates”
On April 19, 2021, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, released the first official budget in the past two years, titled, Federal Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience (the “Budget”). The Budget proposed over $100 billion in spending, and, among the more significant measures, the Budget proposes to extend …
A frequently asked question in family law has to do with how much of an interest, if any, each spouse has in the couple’s assets and liabilities. The way it’s usually asked is something along the lines of: “I have this [inheritance item, cash, property etc. either from before the marriage or gifted to me …
Continue reading “What Part Of Our Property Does My Spouse Have An Interest In?”
The federal American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden in March 2021 provides that up to $10,200 of state unemployment benefits received by individuals during 2020 are excluded from gross income. Taxpayers are eligible for the exclusion only if federal adjusted gross income is less than $150,000. The mid-March legislation created some initial confusion …
The Canadian Criminal Code (the “Code”) sets forth the parameters of legal gaming in Canada. The Code generally prohibits sports-based wagering except where such wagering is conducted and managed by the provincial governments; however, section 207(4)(b) of the Code prohibits even those governments from offering wagering on the outcome of a single sporting event or …
Continue reading “Canada Continues Push for Singles-Game Sports Betting”
Recently released final regulations under section 162(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), make it a necessity to properly draft settlement agreements and court orders between a taxpayer and the government (federal, state or local or any of their agencies) to put the taxpayer in the best tax position possible. …
The difference between legal separation and divorce is a commonly asked question. Each State may address legal separation differently. In Tennessee, there are important differences between legal separation and divorce to know before making a decision. First, legal separation is not the same as a divorce. It is also not a “cheaper” way to avoid …
Continue reading “Should I Become Legally Separated Instead of Divorced?”
One of the most frustrating parts of a divorce for participants, whether you are representing yourself or you have a lawyer, is the volume of documents that must be exchanged. In Arizona, under the Rules of Family Law Procedure, each party is required, within 40 days of after a response to the initial petition is …
Continue reading “What Documents Should You Gather in a Divorce? A Checklist to Help Guide You”
Open Letter to Client Thank you for entrusting me with your family law matter. Going through a divorce or any family law case can be very stressful and you are probably unsure of what to expect from your attorney. I thought it would be helpful to provide you with some general information so that you …
The presents are unwrapped, and gifts exchanged. But that gift with your name on it, or that new vehicle in the driveway with a big bow on top, is it really yours? Or, in the event of a divorce or legal separation, is it part of the marital estate subject to division? Gifts that you …