FAMILY LAW
Divorce, Pre-Nuptial & Post-Nuptials

DIVORCE

    If you are thinking about just getting married and need a Pre-Nuptial or filing for divorce, or if your spouse has initiated the divorce process, now is the time to make sure you will have an Experienced Family Law Attorney on your side throughout the process. Following are some reasons why you need a divorce attorney.

  • Experience Assessing Divorce Options. We tell you at the outset what course(s) of action would be best for you in proceeding with your divorce -- including your options in areas like child custody, division of property/finances, and child support.
  • Objectivity. We are more objective about your divorce than you can (especially when emotions run high), and will not make any rash decisions in handling your case. For instance, when you may be tempted to go for a quick resolution of property division through early settlement, we may counsel you that it is in your best interests to wait for a more fair and equitable division.
  • Paperwork And Red Tape. We work through the maze of paperwork that can be necessary in resolving your divorce, so that you can get on with your life.
  • Experts And Consultants. When handling a divorce, especially in complex cases where the divorcing couple has extensive property and financial interests, experienced we work with a team of experts and consultants who have experience in specialized areas, and will speak knowledgably to support arguments on the financial aspects of your case.
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution. we will know whether your divorce may be best resolved through alternative dispute resolution processes like mediation or collaborative family law -- potentially saving you time, money, and emotional energy.
  • Experience Working With Other Lawyers. We deal most effectively and expediently with opposing counsel in the early exchange of information (the "discovery" process), during informal settlement negotiations, and in ADR or family court.
  • Favorable Settlement Agreements. We work hard to reach the best divorce settlement agreements for their clients, as early in the divorce process as possible.
  • Family Court Experience. If a trial becomes necessary, we will zealously represent you in court and work toward achieving the best possible jury verdict in your favor.

PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS

    Prenuptial agreements is a legal contract and define each person's rights and settle questions of property division, alimony and inheritance in case of death, separation or divorce. Couples will legally establish their own rules in as much detail as they want.  Everybody who gets married does not need a prenuptial agreement, but there are situations where it would be advisable.

  • Individuals are marrying for a second time and have assets from a previous marriage that they wish to guard for children from that marriage
  • Avoid arguments in case of divorce
  • Protection from spouses debts
  • People who have a high net worth
  • Property or business owners
  • Professionals with degrees or licenses which are considered assets that produce income
  • Investors with sizeable savings, inheritances, profit sharing plans

POST-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS

    A postnuptial agreement is essentially the same as a prenuptial agreement, but is signed after a couple is married.  Why sign such an agreement after you are married?  Well, here are several good reasons:

  • Prenuptial agreements sometimes contain "sunset" provisions, meaning that they expire a certain number of years after they are signed.  Some couples want to renew their prenuptial agreement, and a postnup can be used to do this.
  • One spouse may have experienced a change in financial circumstances, thus prompting the need for a postnup.  Such changes may include: coming into an inheritance, promotion (and raise) at work, increased stock options, or the sale of a business.
  • Some couples don't agree on major investment or debt decisions.  If, for example, one spouse is a saver and the other enjoys racking up credit card debt, the postnup can be used to separate assets and debts.
  • A postnup can be used to set the dollar amount that one spouse will receive if the marriage goes sour.  That way, the couple can exclude any future increase in assets and/or income from the divorce proceedings.
  • Postnups can also be used to replace restrictive prenuptial agreements with a more liberal and giving agreement.  That way, once a couple realizes that they will be together forever they can alter their prior agreement with a postnup.