Aviva Pinto, CDFA®, CDS

In most situations, you will file for a divorce in the state in which you and/or your spouse live. If you and your spouse own property in different states or you live apart, you might be able to select the state in which to file. In those situations, you and your attorney should evaluate the respective states’ divorce laws to determine the best choice. Among the items to consider are the length of time it will take to grant a divorce, the age of majority used in determining how long a parent is required to pay child support (for some…

It’s not because either of you thinks the marriage won’t last To many, “prenup” (short for a prenuptial agreement) is a bad word. Why would any loving couple want to start off their marriage with a financial contractual agreement? As a wealth manager, I counsel clients who have a large disparity in wealth to execute a prenup. Some are getting married later in life and have built up considerable assets, some started a company, some are getting married for the second time. Some have former children to worry about. Some clients have children with considerable trusts getting married. We have…

Although planning for end-of-life can be emotionally fraught and daunting, organizing affairs well before the need arises helps families and beneficiaries immensely after a loved one’s passing. But where to start? With the abundance of paper and digital resources accompanying the myriad accounts that comprise many years well-lived, it can be hard to know which are essential to have on hand. The most important things to have in place are: An up-to-date financial plan: Consult with your wealth advisor who can assess your current financial situation and update your financial plans to address any end of life concerns. Your advisor…

It’s not uncommon in a relationship for one partner to handle most of the finances and the other to have little or no interest—or involvement—in the process. In these setups, difficult situations or unexpected events such as divorce, widowhood, or the sudden incapacitation of a partner can leave the uninformed spouse financially vulnerable. For an uninterested or uninformed partner, trying to become acclimated with the couple’s finances can be a daunting task – and even more challenging without knowing where to start. Financial accounts and statements may be scattered across various internet portals, each with a separate password, and simply…