If a couple thinks differently about money, this is the foundation for dispute. One spouse might spend recklessly while the other is frugal. Financial priorities might not coincide. A spouse seeking to buy a home while the other is more interested in allocating funds differently will sow disagreement.

Credit card debt can also be contentious. If one spouse accrues major debt and the other is forced to pay it off, it can lead to marital strife.

Lying about finances, financial infidelity, will damage the relationship as it can infect other areas of the relationship similarly to other forms of dishonesty. Hiding debt, having money stashed, buying large items without telling the other spouse can cause problems. Going beyond a reasonable budget with unwise purchases and accumulating debt that cannot be paid will strain the marriage. Some couples cannot get on the same page when it comes to spending. Marriage is about compromise and if they cannot achieve common ground, it can spiral into a divorce.

Impulse buying prevents discussion about whether the item is a "need," and it can put people in dire financial straits. Many will combine their bank accounts and feel stress because of it. When couples do this, it can negatively impact taxes and cause fights. Unexpected costs like medical expenses or the need to care for elderly or infirm loved ones can spark butting of heads. Even when they get married, the cost of the wedding can grow to levels that are untenable. Losing control financially and both parties not contributing to the household is a source of tension.

When a financial situation has led to an unbridgeable and irreparable marital relationship, it is important to know what steps are necessary to move forward with a divorce. A law firm that is experienced in helping those who are ending a marriage should be called for a consultation and help. While it is unfortunate that finances can cause divorce, it is sometimes unavoidable and legal help is a must.

Still, many people will think about their individual situation and wonder if they are candidates for an uncontested divorce. For some, this is a wise step. For others, it is a mistake. Understanding when the circumstances are applicable for an uncontested divorce and when they are not can help people make an informed decision as to whether this is the route to take.

In an uncontested divorce, the parties have agreed to divorce and have negotiated how to handle their finances and property division. There are certain criteria that must be met to have an uncontested divorce. They are: the parties must be over 18; the couple has no children under 21; the marriage has been over for a minimum of six months and there is no viable path to reconciliation; and there has been a settlement of all property division, including debt.

Many people will use the "do it yourself" (DIY) program when having an uncontested divorce. For some, this is a good step to take to save time and money, but there must be a foundation to use this alternative. If the parties are on relatively amicable terms and can negotiate a settlement, then it is a useful strategy. However, many divorces are not like that. Even if the determination is made that legal representation is not needed, it is still smart to consult with an attorney to assess the situation. Divorce is complex and it is wise to have legal help no matter the situation.

With several years or even decades away from the employment market, you may not have modern employment skills or connections that can help you get a job. The lack of resources and the diminished earning potential associated with being a non-working spouse is one of the reasons why New York does still allow people to request alimony, also known as spousal support.

There is no direct and straightforward answer to the questions of whether you will receive alimony or how much your ex will pay. However, you can familiarize yourself with some of the standard considerations for alimony.

Did you support your spouse during their education or early career?

Even if your spouse became the primary wage-earner later on, it is entirely possible that you spent months or even years financially and socially supporting your spouse while they finished their education. Maybe you paid for school or just worked a mediocre job to cover rent and other expenses.

If you supported your spouse and provided for them financially earlier in the relationship, the courts may order restitutional support. This kind of support involves your ex paying you back for the time and money you invested in their personal growth and success.

Standard spousal support is usually for helping you get on your feet

In some cases, the courts may order ongoing support for several years. Typically, the intention in doing this is to allow you time to develop the skills or obtain the education you need to pursue a career on your own. That may mean that the courts only order support for a certain amount of time. This form of spousal support gets called rehabilitative support.

However, when older couples divorce, in what is known as gray divorce, it may still be possible that the courts will order permanent spousal support as a way of fairly splitting the retirement or pension that your spouse has accumulated. The courts will acknowledge that factors ranging from health and earning potential to age will impact someone's ability to support themselves.

Many factors, ranging from the custody of your children to the way that the courts divide your assets will impact the amount and duration of the alimony awarded in your divorce. Sitting down to talk with an experienced New York divorce attorney familiar with high-asset divorce cases can help you figure out what is reasonable and likely in your situation.

Still, many people will not be fully aware of how post-divorce mistakes can have a negative impact on their financial lives. Whether it is a high asset divorce or one of lesser means, it is imperative to think about these issues with help from a qualified legal professional. Finances will need fine-tuning after a divorce. With separate financial situations, a likely reduced income, assets that have been split and restarting one's financial profile, there is much to consider.

It is often impossible to keep the exact same standard of lving after a divorce as a family had before.  After a divorce, there are two households (hopefully!) and with that comes two rents and all the expenses that come with running two households.  To keep as much of the pre-divorce standard of living as possible, there are decisions to make.  Creating a realistic budget is the first step in this process.   There is some very useful software now available or a financial professional can help.  Assessing the amount of money you expect to receive in the divorce is almost, as is discussing with a fianncial advisor what type of investment portfolio you should have and what your expected rate of return will be on those investments.  It's also important to remember that some expenses may change after divorce.  Health insurance in particular can be a major minefield, and has to be considered before a divorce is finalized.

There are also important changes that have occurred in the tax code that must be considered as well.  The most important change is to alimony.  Prior to December 31, 2018, alimony paid was deductible by the payor, and taxable to the payee.  That has all changed for any judgments of divorce after January 2019.  Alimony is now no longer deductible by the payor.  This is a factor that must be considered before agreeing to any allimony numbers.  Finally, if there is a retirement account like a 401(k) or other pensions, people will frequently need to share that with the former spouse. Those who have retired and gotten a divorce can face a struggle in maintaining their standard of living but good planning before and after the divorce can help mitigate this.

Divorce is complicated in myriad ways and preparation is one of the most vital aspects to a successful outcome and future. A law firm that has helped many people with their divorce cases can assist from the beginning. Calling for a consultation is a foundational factor in being fully prepared.

Recent studies have brought to light surprising demographics as to who is getting a divorce. A study from Bowling Green State University says that different generations are staying married and getting divorced at various rates. Overall, the number of divorces has been in decline. From 1979 through 2017, the number of divorces fell by 29%. This led to the total being its lowest in four decades. In 2017, there were approximately 1 million divorces. However, certain age groups are divorcing at a higher rate.

For those 55 and older, the numbers were increasing. These are commonly referred to as "gray" divorces. The years that were researched spanned from 1990 to 2017. For those 65 and older, the rate rose from 1.8 for every 1,000 couples to five for every 1,000 couples. These people, "Baby Boomers," generally married when they were younger or are in a second marriage. Second marriages have a higher rate of divorce than other marriages. People in other age groups either had significant drops in their divorce rate in that time span or the rates were essentially status quo.

When anyone gets a divorce, there are issues that must be navigated. Older people will frequently be worried about property division, retirement accounts and other divorce legal issues that are common for people whose children are adults. Regardless of the age of people who are considering a divorce, having legal advice is one of the foundational aspects to a successful resolution. Perhaps the terms of the divorce can be negotiated and agreed to without going to court. Or maybe the issues are such that negotiation is unlikely to succeed and court will be necessary. Having legal advice from an experienced family law attorney is imperative no matter the situation.

This is true if it is a high asset divorce or one of more modest means. It is also true in cases where there were prenuptial agreements or postnuptial agreements. When dealing with the concerns that accompany property division, having legal assistance is a foundational aspect of a satisfactory resolution.

When couples get married and start a life together, it is inevitable that they will accumulate various pieces of property. This can include a home, motor vehicles, collectibles and more. If the marriage fails, as they begin to determine which property belongs to whom, it is not uncommon for there to be disputes as to who gets to keep various items.

Some might be of significant monetary value, have sentimental value or both. This can spark a dispute as to where the items belong. In a best-case scenario, negotiation will be possible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and it is necessary to have legal assistance to be protected and to get the property the person believes should be theirs.

Assessing the marital assets is just one part of equitable property division. This process goes beyond bank accounts, a home, a car or collectibles. Retirement assets could be in dispute. There could be a business that both sides say they had a significant role in making successful. Debts are also a concern as one might have accrued the debt and the other does not want to be responsible for it.

Higher asset cases can be made more contentious if there was a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. This can be at issue when it comes time to determine what property belongs to whom and how it should be split.

Before moving forward with the case, it is imperative to have legal assistance. A law firm that is experienced in all areas of family law including property division is key. Calling a qualified divorce lawyer can provide guidance and help to be protected and to get or retain various pieces of property. Having legal advice is a must.

For instance, on the day that your spouse asks for a divorce, maybe you have an apartment in New York, a vacation home on the coast and another vacation property in Italy. You also have a large investment portfolio that you planned to use to eventually buy another home. Since you own your own company, you're not all that worried about retirement.

For people with just one large asset -- the family home -- it may be best to sell it and split the money. In your case, though, it may be faster and easier to look at assets with roughly the same value and split them up.

For instance: You get the two properties in New York, on the coast and in the city. Your ex gets the property in Italy and the investments to buy whatever other property they want. It's fast, easy and simple. However, there are a few things you want to keep in mind:

1. That's not flawless division

Odds are you can't divide those four assets in a way that gives you both a perfectly equal share. There are just too many variables, like the housing market in Italy at the time of your divorce. If you're interested in a flawless plan, this may not be the one for you. Those rough prices get things close, but you may still feel like your spouse got more than you.

Of course, there are other options to even things out, such as dividing bank accounts accordingly. But you have to take that step.

2. A valuation may become necessary for each asset.

If the two of you can't agree on the value of the assets, you may need to bring in a professional. That apartment in the city is probably not worth the same amount that you paid on the day that you bought it. If you think the value went down and your spouse thinks it went up, you need an appraiser to come in and settle the issue. Couples often argue over the values of various assets.

3. You may have different connections to different assets.

Even after you find out the real financial value, that doesn't mean that's what it's worth to you. Maybe you always wanted a home in Italy. The cleanest division gives that property to your ex. But you have that emotional connection that means you think more of it than the financial value. Does that play into your decision at all?

Working it out

As you can see, you and your ex have a lot to think about, even with fast and "easy" types of property division. Make sure you understand all of your legal rightsas you work it all out.

These issues are magnified if it is a high-profile couple and their alleged wealth reaches the hundreds of millions of dollars. When there is any kind of divorce, having legal assistance is important. But when it is a divorce in which the amount of money is so massive, it is crucial.

Previous posts have discussed the divorce of the actor Robert De Niro and his estranged wife Grace Hightower. Now, the details of the proceeding are coming to light, as the couple is in the middle of a contentious battle over their marital assets.

The prenup says that she is supposed to receive $500,000, an apartment that is worth $6 million, $1 million annually and half what their marital home is worth. She says she earns $15,000 annually on her own. The 75-year-old De Niro is accused of not keeping his 64-year-old wife up to date on their finances since 2008.

Since Mr. De Niro has taken part in 38 films and 35 businesses since the signing of the prenup, she is asking for more money. Mr. De Niro is a part owner of Nobu, a chain of popular restaurants. The judge is encouraging the parties to negotiate a settlement. They are also embroiled in a child custody dispute over their 7-year-old daughter. They also have an adult son, 21, together.

Whether it is from the perspective of the spouse who earned the bulk of the money and brought the assets into the marriage or the spouse who had less and might have signed a prenup, it is essential to have a legal advocate who understands the problems associated with a high asset divorce. As the case moves forward, understanding how to comb through the finances and come to an accurate assessment of what the assets are worth is key. Calling for advice with property division in a high asset divorce is vital.

In the first quarter of 2019, the booming economy has generally raised incomes. That coincides with more people experiencing marital strife. Legal professionals who work in family law say divorces increase when the economy is good. People function under the belief that when there is a strong economy, they have a greater willingness to deal with the inevitable life changes that come with a divorce, financially and personally.

When there is more money available, people will have the comfort to move forward with the end of a marriage. A poll of legal professionals found that when there is a struggling economy, most stated there was a decline in divorce filings. As people struggle financially, they decide that finances and budgetary constraints take precedence over the potential relief they will feel if they end an unhappy marriage.

While it is obviously a positive to have a strong economy, it can also be problematic when there is a divorce and there are more assets to divide. For example, those who have accrued art, valuable antiques and other items that are hallmarks of a well-to-do couple, a high asset divorce can be contentious.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the divorce, the decision should not be taken lightly. There is rarely an "ideal" time to take that step. But when there are marital problems that cannot be solved and the economy's strength makes it easier to divorce, it is wise to contact a law firm that is experienced in all areas of divorce and can help people from any financial position.

When there is a temporary protective order, it goes into effect the day the person files for it and even before the other party - the respondent - is served. It will be in place until the next court appearance. In general, the court extends a temporary order until the conclusion of the case when a judge will find that there was a family offense or the other party agrees to the order. Next will be a final order of protection. This will last for two years or five years.

There are certain aspects of a final protective order that can be included. They are restitution, medical expenses and program participation. With restitution, if there was property damage from acts committed by the respondent, he or she can be ordered to pay damages of up to $10,000. The victim must give proof of the value of what was damaged. Medical expenses are for treatment for injuries and conditions that came about from the abuse. With program participation, the respondent can be ordered to take part in services like education programs or be referred for counseling to deal with substance or alcohol problems.

Of all the family law considerations people must face, domestic abuse and allegations related to them are the hardest to address. When safety is a primary concern and other factors are in the equation like knowing where to go, how children will be cared for and what steps to take, it can be overwhelming. For advice on how to be shielded from abuse with a protective order and what a temporary and permanent order can do, having a lawyer is a must and is critical to begin to move on from the situation.