What if we started this blog by stating that to divorce properly, you should argue, fight, finger-point, and do anything to make your spouse more upset? You’d likely stop reading, which would be the correct thing to do. Instinctually, you understand that these actions do nothing more than inspire the other side to become equally aggressive. Yet many people threaten their spouse with litigation, have their attorneys Read More

Before we take a deeper dive into this topic, we need to clarify that we are using the words “maintenance, “spousal support,” and “alimony” interchangeably. Divorce laws differ by state. When your friends and family give you advice about your divorce, they may use any combination of those words. Although you may hear all three in New York, we use the term “maintenance.” One of the reasons why this area of divorce is Read More

It is becoming more common for people to buy a home before marriage. Many people want to take steps to set down roots, and when two people buy a house together, they could qualify for a larger loan. From a legal perspective, is it a good idea to buy a home with your boyfriend or girlfriend? If you do, you must take the proper steps to protect yourself. For example, imagine you’re in love with your significant other. Read More

During the divorce process, you will have to divide your marital property. This pertains to assets that were obtained during the marriage. Anything that has either been identified as separate property or was addressed in a prenuptial (or postnuptial) agreement will likely be excluded. It is common for couples to purchase homes together, and many people will probably assume that the house is marital property. Whether Read More

Anyone who begins a business should strongly consider the benefits of starting a limited liability company (LLC). When you form an LLC, you create a barrier between you and your personal assets. If your business has a financial obligation that you cannot pay, can your creditors come after your home or other assets? The answer to that question depends on your entity structure.  Though you can forgo the formal process Read More

During the due diligence portion of the home-buying process, you will need to verify whether there are easements on the property you intend to purchase. An easement is a legal right to access or use your property for a specific purpose. There are multiple ways to learn about the existence of an easement: Through a title search Through your real estate attorney  By obtaining a survey of the land Regarding easements, Read More

Per the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, 350,150 arrests were made in 2022 for marijuana-related violations. Though you may think that number is high, arrests related to marijuana haven’t been that low since the mid-1990s. In 2008, that number soared beyond 800,000. As more states legalize the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, there has been a shift in how we view the people who have used it. In March of 2021, Read More

New York is an equitable distribution state. Before your assets get divided, the court is going to consider several factors surrounding your marriage: The assets you acquired as a married couple The assets you acquired separately (e.g., inheritances, businesses you began before marriage, and gifts you received).  The length of time you were married Your age and health  The amount of spousal support you will pay or Read More

Creating and establishing your business took time, and so will dissolving it. Though there are several steps you must take, it is worth it. When you dissolve your business correctly, you are effectively limiting your liability. For example, if you have an LLC, you have annual fees, reports, and other administrative obligations. Unless you dissolve your business by taking the appropriate steps, the IRS has no way of Read More

Traditionally, having a million dollars or more could constitute a high-net-worth divorce. Associating a high-net-worth divorce with a specific dollar amount may be somewhat misleading. For example, the average cost of a home in some areas of New York is well beyond $4 million. Though these people make enough money to afford these properties, that may be where most of their funds are going.  Rather than money, take a Read More