If you have a 529 plan for your children and are going through a divorce, you may have some questions. In Arizona, the laws surrounding 529 plans might be different from other states, so it’s important to know your state’s specific laws. In this post, we’ll answer some of the biggest questions people have regarding [...]

Spousal maintenance can be a confusing concept to understand. Unfortunately, you may receive misleading advice from lawyers or friends. What most people don’t realize is that spousal maintenance in Arizona is very random.  There is only a vague, subjective statute (law) with very little guidance.  The other big secret is that most couples never have […]

This year I decided to query my 10-year old twins about what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving season.  Twin 1 immediately responded “Family, Friends……and Shopping Online!” Twin 2 snored (guess I should have asked BEFORE bedtime) At first, I was thinking, “well, at least she put family and friends first.” But, then, it hit […]

A lot of my mediation clients have timeshares and want to know their options when it comes to handling them in their divorce.   There are different types of timeshares, some have a real property interest, some do not.  Either way, they can be considered a community asset and/or liability and need to be addressed […]

Although not common, as a Phoenix divorce mediator, I am sometimes asked to assist with a divorce for couples who have a covenant marriage.  Some couples do not even know if they have a covenant marriage.  So, what is it? In Arizona, a couple may enter into a covenant marriage.  In contrast to a standard […]

I’m seeing more and more couples and families reframe their divorce from the negative connotations of the past to a more positive transition.  Some are committed to the friendliest divorce possible.  Others want to handle things perfectly equalized and as fair as possible.  Many voice that their divorce is a chance at renewal and hope. […]

As my husband gears up for Superbowl LV, I have the “privilege” of a constant soundtrack of sports talk shows, live games and SportsCenter in my home/office.  So, by osmosis, I’ve picked up a few terms that seem appropriate in a divorce scenario. Playbooks Coaches have game plans the teams review and generally follow before [...]

Social Security is an important part of most Americans’ retirement plans. A unique aspect of the program is the ability to take spousal security benefits for spouses that have been married for at least ten years. With spousal benefits, instead of taking Social Security benefits from your own earning record, you get a portion of […]

Does communication with your spouse feel like a recent 2020 Presidential Debate?  From watching recent presidential and vice-presidential debates, do you feel like a mediator couldn’t do much better than a moderator? Unlike a moderator who tries, sometimes unsuccessfully, to keep discussions on track and have presidential candidates follow the rules, divorce mediators actually manage […]

What on earth does a prenuptial agreement have to do with a couple’s engagement? There’s romance and laughter, caring and love. It’s the most romantic time in a couple’s life; “We’re Engaged!”. What a time of celebration and joy! But, as counselors have long advised, it is also the time to discuss the important things […]