Can the custodial parent claim the Earned Income Tax Credit while the noncustodial parent claims a different tax credit? After a divorce with children, it can be very confusing when it comes to figuring out which parent can claim which child tax credit. In most circumstances, only one parent is able to claim a child for the following tax credits: …
Is it too late for a prenup if I’m already married? In Illinois, prenups become effective on the day that you and your betrothed are legally married. If you’re past that point, a prenuptial agreement is no longer a valid option. That does not mean it is too late for you and your spouse to protect yourselves and your respective …
Not all prenuptial agreements are created equal. Sometimes, in the course of a divorce proceeding, the court will strike down a prenup and refuse to enforce it between the divorcing parties. If you are working with an attorney to draft a strong prenuptial agreement between you and your betrothed, or if you have a prenup and are contemplating a divorce, …
I note three key issues usually discussed in prenuptial agreements in this short video. They are the identification of separate/ marital property, spousal maintenance and estate rights. Interested in a free 15 minute consultation on a nuptial agreement? Please contact cari@rinckerlaw.com or call (217) 531-2179.
Do I need a prenup before I get married? No one gets married with the intention of getting divorced, but it is always a good idea to protect your rights and your property in the event that life does not goes as planned, regardless of your financial circumstances. Divorce is inevitably complicated, contentious, and unpredictable. In Illinois, the law requires …
In New York State, the income cap for maintenance payor’s income in calculating temporary maintenance and post-divorce maintenance has increased to $184,000.00. Here is how maintenance would be calculated in an example where the incomes are as follows: Payor spouse’s Income: $200,000.00 per year. Payee spouse’s Income: $80,000.00 per year. Based on these figures, the adjusted gross income of the …
A Christian prenup. Isn’t that an oxymoron? No, no, it’s not. I recently read Patricia Hartman’s book “The Christian Prenuptial Agreement: The Power of Marriage Unleashed” and she makes a solid argument why it’s not. The author is not an attorney; instead, she is a CPA and approaches things from a financial perspective. You can order the book on Amazon …
Here is a question that I recently received: “Hey Cari, What do people often do “wrong” when they’re about to file for divorce or in the midst of a divorce?” My response: People going through divorce sometimes believe that going to court immediately is the way to resolve things. To the contrary, mediation or the collaborative divorce process would be the …
Super pumped for Michael Meyer, corporate photographer extraordinaire,for his new podcast called the “Legal Marketing Studio“, available via SoundCloud and iTunes. The podcast was just released and I’m in Episode 3 on book publishing. I talk about my New York food and agriculture book (my first child) and my recently published book on New York divorce and family law (both …
I’m really excited to share the video about my new book “Onward and Upward: Guide for Getting Through New York Divorce & Family Law Issues.” I’m really proud and excited about the finished product of this book. I love that it collaboration of both lawyers and nonlawyers, working together to strengthen families and people. This book is a phenomenal information …
In late September, new maintenance legislation was signed into law in New York. The new bill changes the guidelines for calculating post-divorce maintenance. The law goes into effect January 25, 2016. Similar to the temporary maintenance guidelines, the income cap for post-divorce maintenance is also $175,000. Additionally, the court makes the determination of which formula to use based on which …
I really enjoyed presenting at Fordham Law School last weekend alongside the great (and brilliant) Veronica Escobar, Esq. My presentation, embedded below, discusses the jurisdictional differences between Supreme Court and Family Court, the procedures for starting a divorce, the uncontested v. contested divorce path, Notice of Automatic Orders, types of matrimonial agreements, prenuptial agreements, grounds for an annulment vs. grounds …