Legal separation advice: Who is responsible for the debt?

Question: I’m looking for legal separation advice. While my wife and I were separated but still married, I paid off two loans using money I cashed in from my 401k. I was told I would be the one solely responsible for the taxes on the 401k withdrawl. At what point …

Property Division in a Community Property State

By Jennifer Hankinson Divorce Attorney, Cordell & Cordell There are two ways to classify property acquired during a marriage: community property or equitable distribution. In a community property state all property acquired during the marriage is divided equally (50/50). In an equitable distribution state, all property acquired during the marriage …

Filing a Qualified Domestic Relations Order post-divorce

Question: My late husband’s ex-wife was awarded a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) of a set amount of his retirement account. I am to receive the balance of that account as the named beneficiary. However, she plans to submit the QDRO when the account is at an economically depressed level …

Will my ex-wife get part of my retirement if I leave the country?

Question: As part of my military retirement, my wife is entitled to part of my retirement pay for life. She filed the divorce in Virginia. If I move to and become a resident of Purto Rico can she get my retirement since military retirement pay upon divorce doesn’t apply there?

Can I modify child support upon retirement?

Question: I am a non-custodial father. If I retire, is that considered a “change in circumstances” thus warranting a modification of child support based on my lower income?

How are pending divorce issues resolved when one party has remarried?

Question: I have since remarried after my divorce was finalized. What claim does my ex-wife have on my QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) since we still have yet to complete the paperwork concerning my retirement fund? I live in Virginia and we divorced in California so which state has jurisdiction?

Are insurance payments considered separate property?

Question: I am going through a divorce and am receiving disability payments as a retired police officer. My wife thinks she can get half of my disability retirement benefits. Can my disability insurance be counted as income and subject to property distribution?

How are assets divided when filing for legal separation?

Question: Can my spouse receive half of my 401k via a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) when filing for legal separation, not divorce?

Distribution of pension plans in divorce

Question: My pension does not vest until I have been working for 20 years, which is 8 years away. I have been told my soon-to-be-ex is entitled to half of my pension. But what half is she entitled to? Half of the contribution amount that is in the account as …

Money Made Easy: How To Plan For Retirement

In this week’s Money Made Easy, financial adviser Dan Danford discusses retirement planning and how you should be preparing. Danford, MBA, CRSP, of Family Investment Center, explains the need to start increasing your savings now, what type of growth investments you should be utilizing, and the importance of developing an …