Arizona’s New Spousal Maintenance Guidelines are Here – What You Need to Know

divorce lawyer Scottsdale Arizona

Family Law Attorney In Scottsdale Arizona Ask any Arizona family law attorney what issue they hate litigating and the answer is almost always: spousal maintenance (a.k.a. alimony).  The reason?  Historically, there has been so much “gray area” in Arizona’s law on this topic and that makes for unpredictability on how judges and courts will rule. 

from Arizona’s New Spousal Maintenance Guidelines are Here – What You Need to Know

High Asset Divorce – Dividing Your Retirement Accounts

If you’re going through a divorce or legal separation, and you or your spouse have retirement accounts (IRA’s, 401K’s, Pensions) that need to be divided, you will need to hire an attorney to prepare a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, more commonly known as a QDRO, and have it filed with the Court.  A QDRO is

from High Asset Divorce – Dividing Your Retirement Accounts

SHOULD I FILE FOR DIVORCE?

We’ve all heard the statistics that 50% of marriages end in divorce. Filing for divorce is a big decision that not only impacts you and your spouse, but the lives of your children and extended family, as well.  So, how do you know when it’s time to get a divorce? At Owens & Perkins, we

from SHOULD I FILE FOR DIVORCE?

Family Law Trials : Child Support and Spousal Maintentance

The determination of Child Support and Spousal Maintenance are important issues affecting your ongoing financial future after a divorce. When you’re approaching an upcoming trial it’s important to understand how and what the Court will look at to determine Child Support and Spousal Maintenance and whether you’ll be liable to pay or eligible to receive

from Family Law Trials : Child Support and Spousal Maintentance

Modifying an Order for Spousal Maintenance

Spousal Maintenance, much like child support, is based off of the income of the party paying for it, but it is also based in large part on the financial needs of the party receiving the same. As we move through life, our income and respective financial circumstances can (fortunately or unfortunately) change. When that happens,

from Modifying an Order for Spousal Maintenance

The New Spousal Maintenance Tax Law

Prior to January 1st, 2019, spousal maintenance was tax deductible for the person paying and was considered income for the person receiving the funds. Last year, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was passed changing the tax-law definition for spousal maintenance. TCJA eliminates deductions for spousal maintenance ordered by post 2018 dissolution agreements/orders. If

from The New Spousal Maintenance Tax Law

“RECAPTURING” THE INCOME OF THE SELF-EMPLOYED SPOUSE OR PARENT

In determining spousal maintenance and/or child support in a family court case, the Court must determine the income of the parties. Typically, this is a fairly simple process of looking at paystubs, W2s, tax returns, etc. Sometimes there are small curveballs thrown in such as variable bonuses, commissions pay, and the like. But what about

from “RECAPTURING” THE INCOME OF THE SELF-EMPLOYED SPOUSE OR PARENT

STOCK OPTIONS: BOTH AS COMMUNITY ASSETS AND AS INCOME

It has become increasingly popular for companies to offer stock options as part of an overall benefit package to attract and keep employees. Typically these stock options are granted at a certain time but do not vest until 1, 2, and even 3+ years into the future, giving the employee motivation to stay with the

from STOCK OPTIONS: BOTH AS COMMUNITY ASSETS AND AS INCOME

CHANGES TO SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE IN ARIZONA

On April 5, 2018, the Arizona Legislature changed the spousal maintenance statute to make it easier for some spouses to qualify for spousal maintenance when divorcing. Getting Spousal Maintenance in Arizona A.R.S. § 25-319 is the statute in Arizona that addresses when a spouse qualifies for spousal maintenance and, if so, the amount and duration of the support to

from CHANGES TO SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE IN ARIZONA

NEW STRATEGIES AND CONSIDERATIONS IN NEGOTIATING SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE IN LIGHT OF THE NEW TAX LAW

If you followed our blog series this month so far, you should have a general understanding about the effects the new tax law may have on those of you contemplating getting divorced or looking at a possible modification of the orders regarding spousal maintenance. Hopefully you learned, in actual dollars and cents, the effects this

from NEW STRATEGIES AND CONSIDERATIONS IN NEGOTIATING SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE IN LIGHT OF THE NEW TAX LAW