Fields and Dennis Blog

The Vineyard, Valuation, and Present Divisions

After a trial, a Probate and Family Law Court entered a divorce judgment (1) valuing the husband’s 25% interest in a Martha’s Vineyard property at 25% of the market value of the property and (2) awarding a present interest in that property to the wife.  The Appeals Court reversed. On the issue of valuation, the appellate ...

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The Business of Divorce

Life is just like Business, according an article by Howard H. Irving, PhD, author and family mediator. So why not choose to make logical decisions based on experience, like you do for your business, when you and your spouse decide it’s time for a divorce? Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Some couples are inclined to do ...

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Agreement to Divide Future Social Security Void

Continuing the senior-citizen theme, a recent Colorado decision about social security piqued my interest. A divorce judgment incorporating an agreement of the parties required the husband to pay a portion of his future Social Security benefits to the wife as part of a property division.

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Can Bernie Madoff Ruin Your Divorce?

Steve Simkin might have thought it shrewd to keep the Madoff investments in his divorce from Laura Blank (after all, where else do you get that kind of interest?)

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Pierce Redux

While we’’re all waiting for the Legislature to act on the new alimony bill, it pays to remember that Pierce is still good law. The controversial 2009 decision held that a modification or termination of alimony “should not be solely premised on a supporting spouse’s retirement.” A recent appellate decision clarifies Pierce further. A sixty-five ...

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