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You are here: Home / Archives for Divorce Planning

Jon Fields to Attend Top Divorce and Finance Event

The AICPA/AAML National Conference on Divorce is an annual event that offers unparalleled opportunities to gain comprehensive insights on the financial aspects of divorce in the company of some of the Country’s top Divorce Attorneys and Chartered Public Accountants. As well as offering the advantages of a forum to network and learn from peers, expert speakers have previously presented on topics as diverse as Intellectual Property, healthcare and issues specifically encountered by women and LGBT couples. Jon Fields will be attending this year’s conference in New Orleans, May 2016. Fields and Dennis LLP looks forward to the insights this event will doubtless bring, as we anticipate returning to our practice with new perspectives and deeper professional insights on some of the most pressing and complex issues that our clients face.

Filed Under: Alimony, Divorce, Family Law, Firm News, High-Net Worth, Investments Tagged With: complex divorce, Divorce, Divorce Assets, Divorce Planning

Divorce and Trust Interests: Demystifying the Legal Landscape for the Practitioner

The interplay between divorce and trust interests may be one of the most vexing for practitioners and mediators.  This primer attempts to synthesize the legal landscape in this area and to demystify the issue so that we may better serve our clients. Read the article by Attorney Jonathan Fields.

Filed Under: Divorce, Family Law, Firm News, High-Net Worth, Insurance, Massachusetts Divorce, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: assets, Divorce, Divorce Planning, Family Law, High-Net Worth, Mediation, Trust Interests, trusts

To Litigate, or Not to Litigate, That is the Question

If you are going through a divorce, there are many things to consider. It is a difficult time, emotions are high, and you are confronted with a number of decisions that you may not be in the best state of mind to make. Now, no two divorces will be identical, so while having a support system who has “been there” can certainly be helpful, their situation may be extremely different then yours.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a divorce, and depending on how the decision was come upon, you and your ex may be on civil terms, but other times, if the relationship ended badly, communication and compromise may be impossible concepts to wrap your mind around. Because each divorce is different, each course of action is also different. While some couples have relatively simple cases without much contention between spouses, other couples may have more complex divorces that require careful and strategic planning. Read more.

Filed Under: Divorce, Family Law, High-Net Worth, Marriage, Massachusetts Divorce, Massachusetts Family Law Tagged With: Alimony, assets, Boston Divorce Lawyers, child support, Contemporary Marriage, Divorce, Divorce Assets, divorce litigation, Divorce Planning, Infidelity, litigation, Marriage, spousal support

Bitcoins and Divorce: Declaring your Digital Currency

Bitcoin has become a buzzword recently, more well-known to some than others, but unless you live under a rock that does not get WiFi, you have surely at the very least heard the term tossed around. For those less informed on the emerging value system, Bitcoin is a digital currency used as a peer-to-peer payment system. Developed in 2009, bitcoins can be exchanged for goods, services and other currencies. While bitcoins have been under fire for their use in illegal activities (e.g. the recently exposed online black market Silk Road), they have legitimate uses as well, making the debate over this new cryptocurrency a hot-button topic. Read more.

Learn more about Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency and Divorce:
“Bitcoin Bitterness Starts to Make Messy Divorces Even Worse,” Hannah George, Bloomberg News (2018) (Jonathan Fields quoted) 
Cryptocurrency and Divorce: A Primer
IRS Notice 2014-21: Virtual Currency Guidance

Filed Under: Divorce, Divorce and Technology, Marriage, Massachusetts Divorce Tagged With: Alimony, assets, Boston Divorce Lawyers, Contemporary Marriage, Divorce, Divorce Planning, spousal support

Sharing Friends after Divorce

While divorce often poses unique issues to each couple navigating the complicated, emotionally wrought path, there are often overlapping issues that are widely experienced by those facing the end of a marriage.  Splitting assets, property and material goods can be difficult, tedious and time-consuming. Navigating custody decisions, parental responsibilities and family life can be heartbreaking. But one aspect of a split that is not often discussed in court is how a couple will split mutual friends. Shared friendships are messy during any split or break-up, regardless how amicably it is resolved.

Yet, in contemporary marriages, friends are often shared.  Often times married couples begin as friends, and therefore their mutual friends are exactly that – truly and unequivocally mutual. In these situations, how does one prepare themselves and their friends for the uncharted territory that is to come?  Friends often feel the need to choose, or try to maintain friendships with both only to have the choice ultimately made for them.  After all, social gatherings attended by both parties can be uncomfortable for all involved, not limited to the couple alone.  Read more.

Filed Under: Divorce, Marriage, Massachusetts Divorce Tagged With: Contemporary Marriage, Divorce, Divorce Planning, Friendship, Marriage, Mutual Friends

5 Tips for Getting Through the Holiday Season When Going Through Divorce

Thinking about the holiday season can be a daunting experience when going through a divorce. While it is only October, we understand the apprehension of facing the upcoming season of cheer when you are feeling anything but cheerful.  Divorce is an extremely personal and emotional experience, and there is no right or wrong way to feel – but you are not alone, and the holidays, while different, do not have to be a dreaded occurrence.

Here are some tips for finding enjoyment from the holidays, or at the very least getting through them. Read More.

Filed Under: Divorce, Marriage, Massachusetts Divorce Tagged With: Boston Divorce Lawyers, Divorce, Divorce Planning, Marriage, Massachusetts Family Law, Separation

The Business of Divorce

Life is just like Business, according an article by Howard H. Irving, PhD, author and family mediator. So why not choose to make logical decisions based on experience, like you do for your business, when you and your spouse decide it’s time for a divorce? Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

Some couples are inclined to do it; these couples should absolutely consider divorce mediation. Divorce mediation in Massachusetts, for example, is making extraordinary progress, because it’s beneficial for spouses who can agree what they want from the divorce. Mediated divorce is a voluntary process run by an impartial third party, called a Neutral. Both parties have a divorce attorney, but the divorce is handled out of court.

Litigation, on the other hand, is beneficial for couples who don’t know what they want from their divorce, who are dealing with complex issues that they can’t agree on, or who are extremely angry with each other. There are exceptions and divorcing couples who fall between the two (very simplified) categories.

No matter whether you choose traditional divorce litigation or divorce mediation, it is important that your children aren’t considered “business assets” that can be divided. Handling your family’s complex problems logically is an excellent idea, but not all business models are sound.

Filed Under: Divorce, Divorce and Family Law, Family Law, Massachusetts Mediation Tagged With: Divorce Mediator, Divorce Planning, Family Mediation

Imputing Income and Divorce Planning

The Appeals Court affirmed a judgment in which the trial court refused to impute income to a wife who was working an 80% schedule at the time of trial and who was earning an annual salary of over $500,000.  The Appeals Court was impressed that throughout the marriage, she had often reverted from full-time to reduced-time and that the current schedule was not the result of “divorce planning.” Lanes v. Jagolta, 2010 Mass.App.Unpub. LEXIS 1069

Filed Under: Massachusetts Divorce Tagged With: Divorce Planning

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Recent Posts

Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Second Most Read Article in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

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Attorney Sheryl Dennis was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly’s second most read article of the year. The article discusses the feasibility of remote work from the viewpoint of a number of major law firms in the Boston area. If you are in the office, you are much more invested in the firm and the people […]

Fields and Dennis LLP Fundraiser for K9s for Warriors

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Over the years Fields and Dennis have been proud to sponsor an annual holiday fundraiser for K9s for Warriors. We will be holding another holiday fundraiser through the end of the year. K9s For Warriors is a program to reduce veteran suicide and help our warriors return to a life of dignity and independence. The […]

Here are 4 Ways Divorced Parents Can Make the Holidays Joyful for Their Children – Attorney Vicki L. Shemin’s Article Featured on Divorcemag.com

November 29, 2022

Just because you and your ex-spouse are no longer together doesn’t mean you can’t co-parent peacefully during the holiday season. There are many ways divorced parents can make the holidays memorable for their children. Read the full article on Divorcemag.com https://www.divorcemag.com/blog/here-are-4-ways-divorced-parents-can-make-the-holidays-joyful-for-their-children

Congratulations to Fields and Dennis LLP Firm members who were selected as Top Lawyers for 2022 by Boston Magazine

November 22, 2022

  Fields and Dennis LLP is proud to congratulate Sheryl Dennis, Vicki L. Shemin and Jonathan Fields on being selected as Top Lawyers for 2022 by Boston Magazine. The Boston Magazine Top Lawyers list is extensively peer-reviewed and curated to bring together the top quality attorneys in Boston, making it easier for anyone seeking an […]

Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

November 16, 2022

Attorney Sheryl Dennis was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly this week. The article discusses the feasibility of remote work from the viewpoint of a number of major law firms in the Boston area. If you are in the office, you are much more invested in the firm and the people around you. It really is […]

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    • Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Second Most Read Article in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
    • Fields and Dennis LLP Fundraiser for K9s for Warriors
    • Here are 4 Ways Divorced Parents Can Make the Holidays Joyful for Their Children – Attorney Vicki L. Shemin’s Article Featured on Divorcemag.com

    Recent Firm News & Coverage

    • Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Second Most Read Article in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

    • Fields and Dennis LLP Fundraiser for K9s for Warriors

    • Here are 4 Ways Divorced Parents Can Make the Holidays Joyful for Their Children – Attorney Vicki L. Shemin’s Article Featured on Divorcemag.com

    • Congratulations to Fields and Dennis LLP Firm members who were selected as Top Lawyers for 2022 by Boston Magazine

    • Sheryl J. Dennis Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

    The Boston metro family law, divorce and estate planning attorneys at the law firm of Fields and Dennis LLP are based in the Newton Wellesley area and serve the city of Newton: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Upper Falls, Newton Lower Falls, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Waban and West Newton and town of Wellesley: Babson Park, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Square Fields and Dennis also serves many clients in the Greater Boston and Massachusetts region including Ashland, Dover, Holliston, Medfield, Needham, Sherborn, Westwood, and all of Massachusetts. Attorney Jonathan Fields is a recognized authority on bitcoin and divorce

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