Deciding how to divide assets and debts can be one of the touchiest parts of getting divorced. An important factor to consider is what BlissDivorce calls the Date of Divorce Intent. The Date of Divorce Intent is the date you or your spouse told the other you wanted to get divorced, and started acting in a way consistent with this. In other words, your actions have to show that you were serious about what you said. For example, your [...]
Welcome to BlissDivorce! Throughout the various parts of your divorce journey, Bliss will ask you to propose divisions of assets, debts, obligations, and even your taxes. Here’s what to expect, and how to make the most of our modules and our mediators. Your spouse will not see the divisions you propose. The divisions you propose along the way will all go directly to your mediator. Your spouse won’t see them. However, you should be thoughtful about what you propose. These [...]
There are many factors to consider when thinking about divorce. If you and your spouse are already thinking about living apart, but are considering legal separation as a next step, this article is for you. Here are some things to be aware of when making the decision. What Is “Legal Separation”? A couple can consider themselves separated as soon as they are sleeping in separate rooms. Legal separation, however, is different. In a legal separation, the two spouses remain [...]
Your household items are more than just things. They can represent memories, history, and even the marriage itself. Some people can say, "it's just stuff," and move forward. Others may not want physical reminders of their spouse going forward. However, many couples find dividing household items to be one of the most emotionally challenging facets of property division. Here's what you need to know to make that process easier and simpler. Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: vchal Household Items [...]
A tax obligation is a debt you owe to a tax authority, such as a city, state, or the federal government. In California, divorcing couples divide tax obligations just like other property. Separate Tax Obligations Sometimes, the tax is owed only by one spouse. If that's the case, you'll have it confirmed as that spouse's obligation. Usually, this is the case when the tax that one of you owes is from before the marriage, or if you filed separately. Joint [...]
Whether you are working with attorneys or a mediator, hashing out a divorce agreement means bringing proposals for dividing your assets, debts, and tax obligations for your spouse to consider. In this process, it’s important to think about what your spouse will accept. Here are some tips for coming up with proposals. Saving Time In Mediation Creating a divorce agreement without going to court means finding a compromise that both you and your spouse can agree to. Your [...]
With all this talk about community and separate property, you might be wondering, “do I really need to disclose everything? What if the account is just mine?” Figuring out what needs to be disclosed and what doesn’t can seem complicated, but it’s not. The easy rule to remember is disclose everything. Let’s say that Jen and John are getting divorced. They have a joint bank account like most couples, but Jen also has access to a bank account that she shares [...]
If you have children under the age of 18, one of the most important and challenging things in your divorce agreement is custody. With so many legal terms and logistics, it can seem downright overwhelming. We've broken the issue down for you. This article will help you think through the issues that you and your spouse will need to reach an agreement on. Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: fizkes Best Interest of the Children In general, you and your [...]
People in same-sex relationships long looked forward to the day their marriages were treated like marriages. Finally, in 2015, the United States Supreme Court held that the right to marry is an essential part of a person's liberty. They ruled that States must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Various people and religious organizations refuse to recognize same-sex marriage. Both local and federal governments, however, must now treat such marriages as valid. This will result in greater certainty [...]
Before creating your divorce agreement, you need to know, from a legal standpoint, what belongs to you, what belongs to your spouse, and what belongs to both of you. In states like California, this is where the concept of community and separate property comes in. Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Basicdog What You Need To Know About Community Property So what is "community property"? Community property is an asset or debt that both spouses have an equal right to. [...]