Southport Connecticut Family Law Blog

Increase in prenups, decrease in divorce for millennials

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC posted in divorce & high asset divorce on Sunday, October 7, 2018.

Many people in Connecticut are aware that the generation known as the millennials is responsible for leading a variety of changes in society and this includes in the realm of marriage and divorce. Some new information from a study conducted by a researcher at the University of Maryland as well as data from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers corroborates this.

As reported in Newsweek, the AAML has found that an increasing number of millennial couples are entering into prenuptial agreements before they get married. No longer are these marital contracts reserved just for the rich and famous but now they are used by people who are approaching marriage from a more prudent perspective than their predecessors may have.

Tips for divorcing spouses appearing in court

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC on Friday, October 5, 2018.

While the divorce rate has been high in recent decades, experts have found a steady decline in recent years. The reason for this boils down to millennials following different marriage patterns than their parents. The younger population usually marries later in life when they have more financial stability.

However, couples of any age group are never immune from the prospect of divorce. It is a tumultuous time, and while there is a lot on the line, spouses should follow these tips when appearing in the courtroom:

Can a divorcing spouse destroy assets?

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC posted in divorce & high asset divorce on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

Some divorces bring out the worst in people. Vengeful spouses will look for any way to harm an ex, including denying their former partners as many assets as possible, even if it means spending them away or ruining them so they will be of no value. This kind of asset destruction is known as dissipation, and it is something that Connecticut spouses planning a divorce should watch for.

As the Huffington Post points out, a spouse who wants to get rid of money has a lot of ways to accomplish the task. Spouses who carry on affairs can lavish their significant others with expensive presents, or treat them to a luxurious locale where thousands of dollars could be spent over the course of a weekend. Still, a spouse does not need a partner to spend lots of money on; the spouse can choose to indulge in expensive solo vacations or hobbies. Sometimes a trip to the casino is all a person needs to lose a lot of money.

Your mortgage during a divorce

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC posted in property division on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

When couples in Connecticut get divorced and they own a home together, they often put a lot of time and emotional energy into figuring out what to do with their house. However, some of that time and energy should also be directed toward the mortgage. That is because banks do not look at houses and mortgages as one in the same but as two distinct things. This becomes very important when one spouse wants to keep the house.

It is not uncommon for one person to remain in a family home, especially if they have young kids. As explained by Time Money, some people might believe this is as simple as the other person moving out and letting the details be listed in the divorce decree. Some go the extra step of creating a quit claim deed that hands over their portion of ownership in the home to their former spouse.

Increase in parenthood for gay couples

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC posted in alternative reproduction on Sunday, September 2, 2018.

Over the past couple of decades, gay and lesbian residents in Connecticut and around the nation have seen some improvements in their ability to live their lives fully. The legalization of same-sex marriage is just one example of this. While the changes may be slower than many would like, they are happening and now there are more gay and lesbian couples who are able to realize their dreams of having a family.

As reported by The Hour, Connecticut in particular is a place that is leading the way for many same-sex couples to become parents. Even in nearby New Jersey and New York, a contract for a surrogate may not be able to be enforced. Canada is the only other nation in the world that even allows surrogacy legally.

Considerations for potential surrogate mothers

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC posted in alternative reproduction on Saturday, August 18, 2018.

Many couples in Connecticut and around the country find themselves wanting to be parents but unable to have a baby in the way often referred to as "naturally." Sexual reproduction by a mother and a father is simply not always an option. Some couples struggle with infertility. Others are able to become pregnant, but complications preclude a successful outcome. Same-sex couples naturally need to consider other routes to parenthood. Regardless of the reason, hiring a surrogate is an option.

Women who are contemplating entering into a surrogate contract will want to think about several aspects of the relationship and experience before deciding if it is right for them. ConceiveAbilities acknowledges that while the good feeling that comes with helping someone have a child may be legitimate, potential surrogates need to be clear about the legal and contractual obligations of the experience as well.

Will the court require you to pay your husband manimony?

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC on Monday, August 13, 2018.

As a well-paid female management level employee in Connecticut, you likely have a satisfying work life. If your marriage is less than satisfying, however, you should be aware that if and when you divorce, the court may require you to pay your husband manimony. That is not its real name, of course, but rather the nickname applied to the spousal support payments that women make to their ex-husbands after a divorce.

As women have entered and succeeded in the workforce the past several decades, more and more of them find themselves in the position of earning as much as, if not more than, their husbands. If this describes you and your husband, you likely are quite proud of your economic equality. Yours may even be one of the 40 percent of American households where your paycheck represents the major or only one supporting the family.

Coparenting after a divorce

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC posted in child custody & support on Sunday, July 29, 2018.

Connecticut parents who get divorced know that they must still find a way to work together for the benefit of their joint children. This is definitely a task that can be easier said than done. However, with the right level of consciousness and focus on the children's needs first, it can be done positively for all involved.

Today's Parent magazine recommends that moms and dads try to treat each other like they would a co-worker. Taking this approach generally helps to take emotion out of communications and retain a level of politeness even if it feels professional and not overly warm. This is far better than being adversarial with each other.

Can you relocate with your kids after your divorce?

On behalf of Reich & Truax, PLLC posted in child custody & support on Friday, July 20, 2018.

Despite the initial struggles that you may experience following your divorce in Southport, life will go on. Part of the process of moving on might involve the opportunity to relocate. However, your having custody of your children can complicate matters, as a move would no do doubt impact your ex-spouse's custody or visitation arrangements. How, then, are you able to make such a move happen?

You must provide both the family court that has jurisdiction over your case as well as your ex-spouse notification of your intent to move. If you can come to an amicable agreement as to how to modify your custody arrangement with your ex-spouse on your own, the court will often honor your wishes. Yet if you cannot, your ex-spouse may request a hearing to oppose the move.

10 Benefits of Reich and Truax Mediating your Case

By Marissa Hernandez of Reich & Truax, PLLC on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Mediation is efficient and effective. When two parties share a common goal of wanting to reach a solution for pending issues, mediation is extremely beneficial. A successful mediation session begins with identifying the issues that need to be addressed and ends with a written agreement by the parties. Instead of wasting time in court waiting to be heard, when you are scheduled for mediation, from the moment you walk in, the parties, attorneys, and mediator(s) are focused on your case.

Mediation is more than a substitute for a divorce trial. Mediation can be used for any matter that can be litigated. Mediation can be narrowed and focused only on a few elements of a case or can settle every disagreement. Mediation allows the parties to explore alternatives that may not have otherwise been considered in litigation.

Family-Focused Advocacy & Counsel Responsive & Accessible Representation