Holiday Stress and Divorce Rate

Divorce is never an easy situation for anyone during any time of the year. Nothing can hurt more than seeing all that time invested into a person go to waste because you realize they are no longer the someone you once knew. The emptiness is more pronounced when the holiday come around. Holidays in general can be stressful as they require more time and energy, and if you are considering or have recently been through a divorce, this stress can be magnified to unbearable proportions.  

During the month of January, divorce rates increase and it becomes the busiest month for divorce lawyers across the country. The reasoning behind this phenomenon is because some choose to postpone their plans until after the holiday or because some want to see if spending one last holiday together can make a difference in their marriage and use the celebrations as a last-ditch effort. Couples decide to file divorce in January because dropping the big “D” word could make for an even more stressful holiday season.

Couples also delay the divorce process until after the holidays due to financial concerns. December 31st marks the day when marital statuses determines whether you will file a joint or an individual return for the year before. Searching for the proper lawyer can help you be reassured that your are doing things properly. Simonetti & Associates in Nassau County can help you answer questions you may need to know about divorce.

How can we limit the stress of both upcoming holidays and divorce? One suggestion would be to simplify your traditions. A first recommendation is to keep doing what you enjoy doing. If your tradition or activity needs to be modified, there’s nothing wrong with altering something and making it into a tradition the following year. Let others help you because wanting to be alone can possibly harm you mentally as your mind will wander and focus only on what you miss. Never forget to take care of your health. Sleep and eating habits should be kept on a schedule and everything should require a balance. Be grateful for everything you do have as it is easy to lose sight of the positives when we are stuck in a hard position.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

What to Expect When Visiting a Divorce Lawyer For the Fist Time

Divorce is a difficult process and many people are not prepared when presented with the possibility of divorce and the potential need for a divorce attorney. The decision process in regards to divorce can be overwhelming and the legal twists and turns can add more stress to an already stressful situation. The divorce attorneys at Simonetti & Associates are experts in all aspects of the divorce process and can help ease your anxiety about a process that can be complex and confusing.

The first step to the divorce process is meeting with a lawyer. You may be feeling hurt, lost, angry, or fearful, and conflict at home or with your children can lead to anxiety or depression. While divorce attorneys are not therapists, no client ever comes to a divorce lawyer in a good mood, and he or she will show compassion and understanding of your situation. A divorce lawyer will also do their best to explain difficult legal proceedings in a clear and everyman-like manner, and you should make sure you understand everything and ask questions if you are confused about anything.

The first meeting with a divorce lawyer is somewhat dependent on the nature of the divorce. In all cases, however, it is the attorney’s job to compile all net worth, income, and expense information. When you first arrive at the attorney’s office, you will most likely be the only client in the waiting room as it is the job of a lawyer to ensure your confidentiality.

Be prepared to answer a lot of questions. Your attorney will provide you with an overview of what to anticipate relating to the following five issues: (1) the divorce process, (2) any children considered minors within the family, (3) division of your assets and liabilities, (4) child and spousal support, and (5) attorney fees and costs. He or she will ask many questions relating to these issues in order to get the most information possible relating to your case. Do not be afraid to tell the truth as anything you say can not, and will not, be repeated unless you grant explicit permission.

After your divorce attorney has gathered the necessary information for your case, he or she will present to you a game plan based on his professional experience in both the courtroom or during any negotiations.

The next step in the process involves you deciding on whether you want another opinion or want to go forward with the process, but either way, you should have a more clear picture on how your divorce case will play out.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

Should I Get a Prenup?

A prenuptial agreement, shortened to just a prenup, is a legally binding contract created before marriage or a civil union which addresses issues such as division of property and alimony in case of a divorce. A prenup can also include a variety of other agreements in order to protect a spouse’s family business or other personal assets in the event of a divorce because of adultery or other irreconcilable differences.

A prenup isn’t just signed as a worst-case scenario for a marriage gone stale. The divorce rate in the United States is between 40%-50% and it is best to consider the prenup while the relationship is still at its highest point. The number one cause of a deteriorating relationship is financial problems, and a prenup can help to sort these out before they become a point of contention.

There are benefits to getting a prenup. The first is the protection of separate property and the division of assets. We have all heard stories of business owners and celebrities who lose a big portion of their estate because of a divorce. If you have a large number of assets or properties and want to make sure you keep them in the unfortunate event of a divorce, it would probably make more sense to get a prenup.

There are also some negative aspects to getting a prenup might be a precursor to a disastrous marriage. It might not be in the best interest of you or your partner if you’re planning on divorce while you are still planning a marriage. There is nothing romantic about a prenup and you might not even know the answers to any issues that may arise.

While discussing a prenup might not be a something you are looking forward to discussing with your spouse as you are trying to plan a wedding, you may want to consider it if there are assets you would like to protect. At Simonetti & Associates, we can answer all of your questions regarding prenups and divorce. Call us for a consultation today!

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

Factors That May Increase Your Risk for Divorce

Even though divorce is an unfortunate and sometimes necessary experience many of us will have to go through, there are even though divorce is an unfortunate and sometimes necessary experience many of us will have to go through, there are actions both you and your partner can take in order to prevent it from happening.

A breakdown in communication can be a leading cause of arguments and cause irreversible effects such as loss of interest and loss of trust. Whether it is regarding family responsibilities or simply one partner tuning out the words of the other, communication breakdown is one of the leading causes for divorce. Taking the proper precautions in regards to communication on family activities and purposely setting aside time for you both to discuss your thoughts can mean a world of difference for your marriage.

Financial stress is also one of the biggest causes for divorce. Some financial stressors are unavoidable, such as a job layoff or a medical emergency, but many financial issues stem from incompatibilities in money management as well as a lack of communication of expenses. For example, if one partner is an frugal saver and the other racks up debt on the family credit cards, conflicts are bound to occur. By strategically planning your monthly budget, as well as your short and long term goals, you and your spouse can avoid financial problems and strengthen communication even further.

Addictions also are a common risk factor for divorce. If you or your partner has a vice taking a substantial portion of family resources to fund, such as alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, or gambling, your relationship is at a higher risk for divorce. The situation can start to spiral out of control if the financial and emotional strain of the addiction changes the dynamic of your marriage, and it is advised to seek rehabilitation before the marriage suffers irreversible damage.

People can change throughout the course of a marriage and in those cases the incompatibilities that can be insurmountable. A world of difference can be made, though, by simply nurturing your marriage and catching issues in their early stages.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

Vote Simonetti & Associates for Best of Long Island 2016!

 

Simonetti & Associates, located in Woodbury, New York, has been serving the Long Island community for over twenty-five years, and we have been nominated again for the Best Divorce Attorneys on Long Island.

Divorce can be an expensive and arduous process. Simonetti & Associates understands this and strives to make the process as painless as possible. We are committed to providing you with the same service you expect to receive at a fraction of the cost of a prestigious firm. We offer free consultations as well as convenient office hours and the flexibility in choosing your path to marriage dissolution.

Louis Simonetti, founder of Simonetti & Associates, opened his own practice in 1990. He earned his Bachelor’s of Economic Science at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctorate at St. John’s University, and with 28 years of law experience, has positioned himself to run a successful law firm.

Our associates include the following:

Manuel Rubio Esq., an experienced lawyer and chartered financial analyst who is bilingual in both English and Spanish. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College and a Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School.

Maria Alibertis Esq., who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University and earned her Juris Doctorate from Touro College.

Timothy J. Fallon Esq., who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown University and earned his Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University.

All of our associates have received excellent educations and have a myriad of experience in all aspects of family law. The combined talents at Simonetti & Associates provide clients with the expertise needed to handle any family law case. Let’s continue to reach more members in the Long Island Community by voting us “Best Divorce Attorney” for 2016!

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

High-Asset Divorce on Long Island

Long Island is one of the most expensive suburbs in New York State and an established career is essential in order to afford a comfortable lifestyle. Working long hours to afford a lavished lifestyle can cause issues within your marital relationship, and this rift can cause you and your loved one to head towards divorce.

Divorce causes a great deal of emotions such as sadness, regret, frustration and anger. As some couples have built businesses together or hold a significant share in a company or professional practice, this can make their divorce complex, and can cause extra stress when it comes to money and the division of these assets.

Our team works closely to make sure you are treated fairly when it comes to the distribution of assets and the protection of your financial interests. Our extensive experience dealing with high asset cases involve an assessment and distribution of the marital estate, businesses, real estate, investments, retirement accounts, investments, alimony, and child support.

In some cases, one partner may have private bank accounts and hidden assets. Private investigators and forensic accountants may be called in to investigate to make sure each partner gets what is deserved.

Those who possess a substantial amount of assets need specific attention to make sure that each partner is receiving a fair amount. We also recognize that those who have a career to protect need their divorce to be discreet. Simonetti & Associates understands the unique needs of a high asset divorce and will provide you with innovative solutions to protect your best interest.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

Separation Agreements

Marriage is not always easy due to the constant effort and compromise it takes to make it work. Some people find out they are better off not being together and choose to file for divorce while other couples need some time apart to figure out whether they should reconcile or head towards a divorce.

Legal separation is for someone who cannot live with their spouse anymore but does not want to file for divorce. A legal separation allows you to figure out custody, spousal support and child support. When a couple files for legal separation, the court will assess the financial situation and will secure financial support for the child and the dependent spouse. When a couple chooses to live apart and are not legally separated, there is no legal obligation for either party to pay financial support.

While legal separation and divorce have a lot in common, there are many benefits to being separated as opposed to going through a divorce. Legal separation allows the spouses to have time away to decide if divorce is right. The spouses still would have medical insurance and other benefits that a divorce would terminate. It also would not offend religious beliefs that do not believe in divorce.

Legal separation also helps you when you are going to file for divorce. New York State allows parties to obtain a divorce pursuant after one year of being legally separated. Because most couples who file for legal separation end up getting divorced, it is important that the party seeking divorce follows the terms of the separation agreement. It is also important that you have a knowledgeable attorney to make sure your agreement is sufficient.

Simonetti & Associates has more than 25 years of experience in family law and was voted Long Island’s best Divorce Attorney for 2015. We offer experience and technique to negotiate the best circumstances for your current situation, as well as protection if you choose to divorce. Call 888-429-4459 to schedule your free consultation in one of our Woodbury or downtown New York locations.