Financial Stability in Two Households
This is splitting the day-to-day finances of one household into two. Learn how to balance income and expenses for both of you (and children), assess future earning potential and explore various financial support types, like child support, spousal support (alimony/maintenance) or direct expenses.
Cash Flow - Making Two Households Work Financially
An introduction to the cash flow analysis in divorce, focusing on income and expenses post-divorce and the ability of parties to support themselves (and children).
Income - How to Calculate What you Earn or What you Should Earn
In order to determine if you have sufficient money to meet your reasonable financial needs, you need to map out income.
Cash Flow - Is Support Needed?
Once you have a budget and income, the next step is to determine if you need support. Learn about this fundamental questions and types of support to consider.
Spousal Support - Everything you Need to Know
Learn all the considerations and elements of the analysis of spousal support, one of the most challenging financial aspects of divorce.
Child Support - Providing Financial Stability for the Children
Learn the key aspects of child support, including its purpose, calculation, enforcement, modification, and potential impact on your post-divorce financial situation.
Direct Expenses as Support
By allocating specific expenses to each spouse, direct payment arrangements provide transparency, accountability, and flexibility, allowing for a more tailored approach to financial support that meets the unique needs and circumstances of the family.
Children’s Direct Expenses as Part of Support
Learn the practicalities of implementing agreements on sharing direct expenses for children after divorce, aiming to provide clarity and guidance and avoid potential conflict.
Combination of Support Types
Integration of support types, like spousal support, child support and direct payment of expenses, can provide for unique agreements tailored to your specific circumstances.
Lump Sum/Buyout of Support Payments
Learn the pros and cons of making a lump sum buyout of support.
Spousal Support
Also known as spousal maintenance or alimony, financial support paid by one spouse to the other, typically on a regular basis, post-divorce to fill the gap between the recipient’s income and need.
Joint Checking Account Method
The sharing of children’s direct expenses through a bank account specifically designated for managing and covering the expenses where both parents have complete access to the account and contribute funds to cover agreed-upon costs.
Cash Flow
The amount of cash being transferred into and out of a household during a specific period used to evaluate financial stability and the sustainability of a household moving forward post-divorce and determine if support is needed.
Child Support
Financial assistance provided by one parent to the other parent for the care and upbringing of the children post-divorce.
Immediate Spousal Support
A form of short-term financial support provided to one spouse during the divorce process, often before the finalization of the divorce settlement, to address the immediate financial needs of the recipient spouse, ensuring they can meet needs throughout the divorce proceedings.
Presumed Income
Also known as imputed income, anticipated income when someone isn’t currently earning income or is underemployed, used in the cash flow analysis to bring their income up to a reasonable expected level.
Severance Payments
A payment or continued salary payments for a period of time after someone leaves or loses a job.
Direct Payments
A support payment method where the paying party makes support payments directly to the receiving party through cash or a check.
Retirement Distributions
Withdrawals from retirement funds that are typically considered income and may be taxed or subject to a penalty depending on the type of asset and timing of the withdrawal.
Wage Garnishment
A support payment method where funds are withheld directly from the payor’s paycheck through wage garnishment or income withholding orders, ensuring timely and consistent payments, most common when the payor has failed to make payments or has been difficult to work with on support.
Reimbursement Method
The sharing of children’s direct expenses with one parent initially covering an expense and then requesting reimbursement from the other parent for their share of the cost.
Percentages of Income
A concept in child support or direct expenses for children where each parent pays a percentage of expenses based upon that parent’s percentage of the combined income of both parents.
