Do same sex couples have the same legal rights as other couples?
Protecting Separate Property in Arizona: Basic Principles
The Legal Limits of Interspousal Transfer Deeds and the Risk to Separate Property in California - In California, the idea of "what’s mine is yours" is more than just a romantic sentiment, it’s the legal default. California...more
A divorce can change how people remember their weddings. Instead of reminiscing about the tender moments, they tend to fixate on the price tag. Here are notes on whether you can recover common costs of your wedding when you...more
Have you ever wondered what happens if you do not sign a prenuptial agreement before the wedding but still want to set clear financial boundaries in your marriage? Sometimes, negotiations about finances and property cannot...more
Oftentimes, inheritances are considered separate property and are not divided in divorce. That means if you received money, real estate, or other property through an inheritance that was left specifically to you, it usually...more
Planning a wedding involves countless decisions, from choosing the perfect venue to selecting flowers. But beyond the celebration details, many couples are also considering an important legal and financial step: creating a...more
O’Connor v. O’Connor addresses tracing of property in a divorce proceeding and an evidentiary issue, but there are lessons for parties to mineral deeds as well. First, … A few Texas marital property rules - Property...more
Cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, is a growing part of many couples’ financial portfolios. However, unlike more traditional, tangible assets, cryptocurrency poses a unique challenge in divorce proceedings....more
Cryptocurrency is an increasingly common investment in spouses’ portfolios. While cryptocurrency can present unique challenges due to the various exchanges, different forms of recordkeeping, and new vocabulary, the key...more
Blending families often introduce unique dynamics. In addition to the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that blended families create, there is also careful planning to consider when creating or updating an estate plan....more
Under Virginia law, separation occurs when at least one spouse forms the intent to permanently separate. Consider these practical steps to protect your property interests. Originally published in the February 2025 issue of...more
On December 30, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed and remanded a ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi that concerned the denial of Appellant’s motion to...more
Each year, “proposal season” begins around Thanksgiving and ends on Valentine’s Day. Then the planning begins — the date, the venue, the guests — and, for many couples, a premarital agreement....more
The end of the year is upon us, and often parents or other individuals make gifts to their children for the maximum amount allowable to avoid federal and state gift taxes. In the absence of marital bliss, how these gifts are...more
Merriam-Webster defines “defunct” as “no longer living, existing, or functioning.” In Washington, a “defunct marriage” is a term for spouses who have given up any hope of salvaging the relationship, and yet for whatever...more
Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of signing a prenuptial agreement is not just to dictate the division of property in the event of divorce. Signing a prenuptial agreement can also provide significant tax advantages to...more
In Bean v. Bean, a dissenting co-executor sought relief from a probate court regarding whether certain assets were separate property or community property. No. 05-21-00286-CV, 2022 Tex. App. LEXIS 9058 (Tex. App.—Dallas...more
In Leggio v. Florian, the trial court awarded three real estate properties to the wife over an allegation by the husband that all of the properties were his separate property. No. 14-21-00168-CV, 2022 Tex. App. LEXIS 5563...more
What you don’t know about your mortgage could hurt you. In Washington State, we are not a “title state.” Accordingly, placing your spouse’s name on the title of a separate real estate does not automatically make it community...more
In 2019, the Amazon founder and former CEO, Jeff Bezos divorced his wife, MacKenzie Scott. Ms. Scott received almost $34 billion in her divorce settlement and became one of the wealthiest philanthropists in modern day. Ms....more
As a divorce lawyer in Washington State, it is common for new clients to come in to our first meeting with the understanding that Washington is a community property state and believing that this means all property and debts...more
In In re Estate of Wetzel, a widow and independent administrator of her husband’s estate appealed a trial court’s order denying her requested family allowance. No. 05-20-01104-CV, 2022 Tex. App. LEXIS 2618 (Tex. App.—Dallas...more
This presentation covers trust issues that arise in divorce disputes, such as spouses creating an irrevocable trust, fraud claims to void a trust, conflict of interest issues raised by the same attorney drafting both spouse’s...more
In LaPree v. LaPree, a wife had three trusts where she was the primary beneficiary. No. 03-20-00465-CV, 2022 Tex. App. LEXIS 1325 (Tex. App.—Austin February 24, 2022, no pet. history)....more
Up until now, the Israel Tax Authority interpreted the Real Estate Taxation Law so that spouses who signed a prenuptial agreement and maintained separate property were considered a single family unit for the purposes of real...more
Jack Bux and his high school sweetheart, Diane, have been married a few years, but the pandemic has taken its toll on their relationship, and they could soon be parting ways....more