Stamford Divorce Attorneys Blog

Older women face alimony fears, career challenges after divorce

2012-05-19T03:40:42Z

Recent news reports have indicated that more couples are experiencing "gray divorce." That is, they are splitting up in their later years. It's as evident in Connecticut as anywhere. This phenomenon seems to have an undue effect on women involved in the process. They find themselves single, fighting over the family home and worried about their financial future.

Because the demographics of divorce have changed, judges are also struggling with how to allot payments such as alimony and child support.

]]> Since the later years of the last century, alimony has served as something of a safety net. The traditional view was that it would support a woman who would eventually get back on her own feet financially after a split. Today, though, as more women divorce in their twilight years, judges increasingly face women who have a limited career skill set and little to no marketability. Their likelihood of obtaining gainful employment may be severely hampered.

But, as noted, the legal system in this country favors finite alimony payments. That paints a grim picture for many older women who split from their spouses. After a few years, the payments will cease and they may find themselves financially struggling.

To prevent that from happening, family law experts offer some recommendations for those who are splitting up during their older years. First, women need to realize that they should get the financial help they need sooner rather than later. Working with a financial expert will allow you to become educated about your options and decide on a rational course of action for your future.

Next, women need to recognize that they should ask for emotional help from friends and family. That will help stave off some of the anger, fear and pain that may be commonly felt in the divorce process.

Considering an appropriate divorce process is also an important step. Often, mediation and other collaborative divorce proceedings can help save valuable assets that may make a big difference in a later financial situation.

Women should also remember to give themselves time to get through the whole process. If you've been with your spouse for years, it's unlikely that the divorce will be resolved in a matter of days. Being compassionate with yourself can be a valuable skill to learn and put one in an emotional state that will allow for more effective handling of financial concerns.

Source: Huffington Post, "Divorce over 50," MaryEllen Linnehan, May 7, 2012.

Snarling legal conflicts untangled by pet mediators

2012-05-11T03:39:41Z

A new group of legal service professionals are specializing in pet mediation, a practice that helps resolve disputes related to man's best friends.

Many people in Connecticut and across the country who are going through a divorce worry about whether they will be able to see their pet after they separate from their spouse. This presents a difficult situation in courtrooms, however, because pets are legally considered property. That is, your dog, your sofa and your car are all placed in the same category. For this reason, the emotional needs of the divorcing parties are often ignored, especially when it comes to pet visitation rights.

]]> People who are engaged in these disputes are urged by professionals to consult a mediation professional who specializes in animal-related cases. Mediators serve as a neutral third party during the process, which allows the spouses to avoid litigation related to their beloved pets. Instead, all parties sit down together and hammer out a plan. This alternative to the courtroom is friendlier for both the participants' emotions and their pocketbooks.

Pet mediation provides couples with the opportunity to express their emotions and perhaps even apologize to each other, which is why it is such an effective option, according to experts in New York City and elsewhere. Couples have even left on better terms after the pet mediation, according to some professionals, because of the openness that is permitted. Mediation is a low-pressure, comfortable process that allows both parties to act like dignified adults. Furthermore, mediation is always approached with a positive spirit, and it generally occurs on neutral ground, such as a third-party office or even a coffeehouse.

The division of the household is never easy during a split, and pets should definitely be considered as a part of the process.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, "A dog's bark is better than litigation's bite," Veronica Dagher, April 30, 2012

Working together to grow apart: Collaborate for a healthier divorce

2012-05-05T02:26:24Z

Divorce has long been known as a bitter process full of unpleasantness and general disagreement. A new group of professionals throughout the nation is eschewing those trends, instead using creative collaborative divorce principles by literally taking couples to the mat.

That's right, divorce counselors in Connecticut and elsewhere are employing novel props in their mediation proceedings, including the use of "talking" and "listening" mats. Each person takes turns sitting or standing on those mats, which provide a prime example of the new techniques being used to ease the divorce process.

]]> Collaborative divorce counselors reject the notion that a split has to be long and arduous, involving attorneys, discovery and other legal invasions. Instead of litigating and giving depositions, collaborative divorce professionals support couples by providing them with a divorce team to help them through the difficult process. Those groups include mental health professionals, financial advisors and attorneys who help the divorcing couple overcome financial, social and emotional barriers.

Couples must voluntarily consent to participate in the process by signing a legally binding document. That document guarantees that neither partner will take the other to court. Then, a support team is built around the couple, including a neutral financial consultant and child services specialist when necessary. The two partners meet with their individual support staff, which includes mental health professionals and attorneys, before they come together to discuss money with the financial planner. The child specialist advocates for the children throughout the process, and sometimes beyond, with services extending into custody agreements after the split.

Experts say that collaborative divorce is especially helpful for couples with children, because the process prioritizes youngsters' needs. For those who can settle their differences through collaborative proceedings, families tend to emerge healthier and happier, say advocates.

The concept is decades old, originating from attorneys' research conducted during the 1990s. A team of Midwestern lawyers found that divorce proceedings were often less painful if attorneys chose to work together from the very beginning, attempting to settle first before ever going to the courts. The idea was not particularly popular at the time. Most people thought that the best lawyers were the most contentious. Today, though, collaborative divorce attorneys abound, with professional organizations in most major cities.

If the idea of a knock-down, drag-out fight with your spouse in court doesn't sound appealing, collaborative divorce might be an option you should consider. A large number of couples have reached respectful, mutually agreeable divorce decrees through this nurturing process, which removes much of the anguish from traditional divorce strategies.

Source: NOLA.com, "Collaboration a new alternative to divorce court," Renee Peck, April 23, 2012

Tips for women going through costly divorce

2012-04-28T02:28:31Z

Some women who are in the midst of a divorce fail to recognize the surreptitious tactics employed by their husbands to prevent them from receiving their fair compensation. This is particularly true in high-asset divorce situations, where the men generally have access to well-trained attorneys who are accustomed to securing divorce decrees that are most advantageous to their clients. Advocates say that women should not despair, though. A variety of options are available to make sure they get a fair share during the divorce proceedings.

One tactic that is often employed by soon-to-be ex-husbands is called "conflicting out" the top lawyers within a jurisdiction. The man will set up short appointments with each high-powered lawyer in the nearby region. During the meeting, he will share enough information to create an attorney-client relationship, which will then prohibit that lawyer from representing the woman. Even if the man does not choose to employ the services of that attorney, fewer options exist for the woman in the case. Celebrities such as Heidi Klum and Seal have squared off in a similar fashion. Klum reportedly went "attorney shopping" before their split.

]]> Divorce professionals encourage women to employ the services of an attorney as soon as possible to avoid this situation. If the woman procrastinates when she is deciding upon legal representation, she could lose out on some of the top professionals in the area, which means she will also likely lose out during the divorce itself.

Other tactics employed by men during divorce proceedings can halt or delay the process so that the woman's legal fees are driven sky-high. This "stall and delay" tactic can delay the distribution of assets from alimony payments and other funds and it can ultimately force the woman to accept an unsavory settlement offer because of financial difficulties. Conversely, the man may pressure the woman to proceed too fast through the divorce, which generally indicates that they want to hide some asset or fund for their own personal use. Sometimes, the women have not received all of the important discovery documents that they need and they are left with fewer marital assets than they deserve.

Finally, men may deny access to some financial resources because women are only minimally involved in the family finances. The husband can leverage the woman's ignorance of everyday expenditures to hide liquid assets, moving money into secret accounts. This can leave women without the financial abilities to pay for groceries and other critical items and it can be particularly difficult for abused women who live in fear of harm to themselves and their children.

Husbands who fail to pay the court-ordered support and who refuse to relinquish their assets are breaking the law and women need to ensure that they are prepared to fight back. Family courts often do a poor job of enforcing financial rules and so women need to prepare themselves before they embark upon the divorce process to guarantee that they receive fair compensation.

Source: Forbes, "How 'conflicting out' top divorce attorneys can impact your divorce," Jeff Landers, April 17, 2012

Movie mogul's wife files for divorce, seeks restraining order

2012-04-20T23:58:36Z

A movie mogul's wife has hurriedly filed divorce papers in New York state court after a marital conflict turned violent on April 6. The woman initiated the high net worth divorce, as well as a protection order, after an altercation with her husband, saying that she feared bodily harm.

The man, who is the head of Division Films, said that his wife was reacting strongly to an intervention that was designed to address her alcohol consumption problem. The man issued a statement through the intervention professional who had conducted the meeting. The interventionist, who reportedly has nearly 30 years of experience in treating alcoholism and other addictions, says that the woman never faced a threat of abuse or violence and her claims to the contrary should be ignored.

]]> The incident, according to the interventionist's statement, involved the woman's sister, brother-in-law, stepdaughter and husband. Other health professionals were also present. The group had gathered to convince the woman to seek treatment for her supposed alcohol addiction, according to the interventionist's statement.

The woman's lawyers, however, balk at the idea that the interventionist is qualified to speak on behalf of their client. The woman had a legitimate reason to fear for her physical safety, they say, and the statement issued by the interventionist should be considered misleading. The woman's legal team reports that she and her daughters are in a safe location after the court appearance.

The woman's soon-to-be ex-husband is a major movie producer who has overseen production on a variety of feature films during the past decade. He has been involved with the production of "Sin City," "Starsky and Hutch" and several well-known horror films. If the divorce is finalized, it will be the man's second.

No further reports have been issued about the terms of the pending divorce proceedings.

Source: NY Daily News, "Movie mogul's wife seeks divorce, order of protection," Barbara Ross, April 6, 2012

Navigating divorce through mediation

2012-04-11T21:13:16Z

A recent segment on "Good Morning America" described the experiences of some drivers who had blindly followed their computer navigation systems. One man drove from a gravel road into a thick, muddy area. The GPS had ignored the nine-mile stretch of water between an island and the main land mass. The man was forced to abandon his car as the tide rolled in.

Although this may not seem to have much relevance to divorce, experts say that many people allow others to guide them through their own divorce proceedings instead of taking control themselves. Mediation is an increasingly popular option that can allow both members of a couple to feel more empowered and satisfied with divorce proceedings. Instead of blindly following the GPS, each party can collaborate to find a path that won't sink both travelers.

]]> Couples who are considering divorce are urged to follow four simple steps to determine whether mediation is the right decision for them. First, both people must gain an understanding of what mediation actually does. Many mediation firms offer educational opportunities to guide couples through the divorce process, including information about serving legal documents, dividing financial assets and hammering out custody agreements or child support payments. By using a mediation firm, the couple can guarantee that they never have to set foot in a courtroom.

Next, couples should consider what their motive is during the divorce. Couples who want to reach a civil, polite agreement without the emotional trials of courtroom combat are perfectly suited for mediation. If, however, one member of the couple wants to seek revenge on the other, a courtroom situation is more appropriate. It is important to weigh the emotional costs that may accompany such an action, though. Many people feel better in the short-term, but lasting mental strain can result from aggressive legal action against an ex-spouse.

In addition, couples should use common sense when determining the provisions of their divorce agreement. Divorce is not a one-size-fits-all procedure and mediation can help accommodate individual needs throughout this difficult process. Couples should not immediately assume that their spouse will oppose mediation. Talking to the person about mediation is always a good idea.

Finally, all parties should be committed to maintaining privacy throughout the mediation process. Mediation can protect people who may not want public inquiries into their personal lives, shielding divorce information from the prying eyes of employers or curious reporters. Conversely, divorce hearings in court become a matter of public record.

Professionals say that using the old-fashioned divorce methods often takes a much larger emotional and financial toll than the refined methods used in mediation. Couples who are considering divorce should investigate mediation as an option to protect their reputations and reduce stress during the process.

Source: Huffington Post, "4 ways to navigate divorce with GPS," Nancy Fagan, March 30, 2012

Alimony reform may be on the way for Conn. residents

2012-04-06T17:36:33Z

Connecticut lawmakers have introduced an alimony reform proposal that they say will update and refine spousal support payments. The legislation, if passed, will regulate the amount and duration of alimony payments. The Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on the proposal during a public hearing on the bill.

Lawmakers say that the reform bill will prevent systematic abuse that plagues alimony settlements by providing a more structured environment. The current system has been waiting decades for reforms, they say. They admit that alimony is important for some spouses to maintaining a viable standard of living, but others are attempting to bypass formal rules in order to extract money they don't deserve.

]]> Changes to existing legislation may include time limits on alimony payments. For couples married after Oct. 1, 2012, alimony shall not exceed one-half the number of months of marriage. Additionally, alimony awards will be required to consider the age, health status, sources of income and additional financial assets for both the payer and recipient.

Additionally, lawmakers will decide whether alimony recipients must be married to the payers. If the recipient was living with the payer, and they were economically interdependent, the bill would provide instructions for alimony dispensation.

Ultimately, legislators say that the purpose of alimony is to glean financial assets from one member of a couple in order to sustain the other. These activities should take place over a reasonable amount of time, they argue, and they say that the goal of alimony should be to re-establish financial security for ex-spouses until they become self-sufficient.

A decision on the bill is expected before the close of this legislative session. A public hearing is scheduled for the bill, during which state legislators will consider specific provisions and solicit public opinion.

Source: Bethwood Patch, "Lawmakers hope to reform alimony payments," Cathryn Prince, March 24, 2012

Divorcing wife seeks share of $88 million property

2012-03-29T22:16:03Z

Connecticut readers may be interested in hearing about a property division battle that really tops the chart of high-asset divorces. A man who purchased the most expensive piece of real estate in New York is facing accusations that he fraudulently sold and purchased property to protect his assets during his divorce. The man, who spent more than $88 million on a New York City penthouse, is embroiled in a battle with his divorcing wife, who claims that the division of real property has been unfair. The initial divorce papers were filed in 2008.

On March 14, the woman filed a suit against her husband, saying that he secretly transferred property during their marriage, violating an order from a Swiss court. She alleges that he used the property transfer to purchase the high-end New York apartment at 15 Central Park West for his own personal use.

]]> The Swiss court had rendered a decision that effectively froze the man's shares and assets, a measure that should have blocked the property purchase. The man claims that he purchased the apartment for his daughter, but attorneys in the case say that information is immaterial. The case concerns the parents' financial decisions, regardless of whom they affect.

Although the man's attorneys and bankers refuse to talk about the case, the woman's lawyers are outspoken about his alleged misconduct. The plaintiff's attorneys claim that the man purposely hid assets that had been acquired during the marriage in order to keep them from his wife. They have accused the man of establishing shell companies to secretly handle his money and assets throughout the world, a situation that makes the man's net worth difficult to track.

The woman is requesting a constructive trust for the penthouse apartment, which would protect the asset from being transferred or withheld from her during the divorce. This ruling would guard the asset until the Swiss court has made a final decision about the property. The man plans to contest the suit and its accompanying requests.

The man, who made his fortune in the fertilizer business, also purchased a $95 million mansion in Florida from Donald Trump. He is worth approximately $9 billion. The couple has two children from their marriage.

Source: ABC News, "Divorcing Wife Sues Billionaire Over $88M NY Penthouse," Lyneka Little, March 16, 2012

Mediation fortifies shared custody arrangements

2012-03-23T14:08:29Z

Divorced Americans with children are becoming increasingly interested in shared custody situations. A recent poll shows that more than 70 percent of the public favors this equal time split, despite the fact that few custody arrangements reflect this preference. Despite the small numbers of equal-time parenting agreements, these agreements are on the rise. This is largely thanks to improved divorce mediation strategies that help resolve custody agreement problems.

A newly released academic study has revealed startling insights into the evolution of custody agreements among those couples who agreed to divorce mediation. Many of these couples were high-conflict during the divorce proceedings, which made custody battles even more bitter and challenging.

]]> Researchers found that although couples may have started with one type of custody agreement, nearly one-third of families changed their agreement during the four-year study. Although more than 40 percent of couples established a primary residential parent and maintained that arrangement for the entire four years, about 14 percent transitioned from the primary setup to a shared parenting agreement. Similarly, about 27 percent of couples stuck with a shared parenting agreement, but 18 percent changed from a shared to a primary caregiver model.

These statistics prompted researchers to wonder why almost one in three families changed their parenting agreements during the course of the study. Results indicate that mediation did play a short-term role in changing agreements to favor shared custody, though those changes were largely unsustainable. The results did show, however, that more than 40 percent of couples were in a shared custody situation at the end of the study. This is a positive shift that shows parents' willingness to change their everyday routines to accommodate their children's needs, according to experts.

The population that was least likely to sustain a shared agreement was composed of high-conflict couples. About 10 percent of the study population consisted of these couples and research showed that mediation was unlikely to help them maintain an agreeable shared custody agreement.

Ultimately, experts say, divorcees should be encouraged about the new trends that show increased levels of shared custody. Mediation can provide a stronger educational and therapeutic background for these couples, which will allow them to sustain the arrangement for the benefit of their children and themselves.

Source: Huffington Post, "What Happens to Shared Parenting Arrangements Among High-Conflict Couples Over Time?" Robert Hughes, Jr., March 6, 2012

Considering alimony tax code

2012-03-16T22:41:26Z

Although many payers and recipients may not immediately think about alimony when considering tax documents, experts argue that it's important to understand tax code related to this financial transaction.

Alimony has been considered as deductible income for the payer since significant rule changes in 1984. As an "above the line" deduction, this counts even for those who choose not to itemize their tax returns. A few restrictions exist for those who want to claim this deduction, however. First, to claim the deduction, the payer must be divorced or under a separation order. Alimony deductions are also unavailable for those living under the same roof as their former spouse, except in some very specific situations. Finally, alimony cannot be claimed during the same year that tax documents are filed jointly as a couple.

]]> One of the most important tax-related requirements for alimony payments is that an official document must exist detailing the divorce. That is, the separation must be legally valid in order for alimony payments to qualify for deduction status. A written agreement must also exist that details the payment schedule. Temporary decrees qualify under current tax law, although participants are encouraged to formalize any agreements as soon as possible.

Child support payments do not qualify as alimony for tax purposes. In fact, child support is not deductible for either the payer or the recipient. However, if the payer owes both alimony and child support, any funds allocated to the receiving spouse will be labeled as child support. In this case, the payer may inadvertently consider the payment as alimony, which receives a deduction. This could have significant unintended tax consequences. Payers need to be vigilant about the distribution of these funds to avoid IRS penalties.

Experts recommend that payers consult with family law attorneys in their state to gain a thorough understanding of tax code relating to alimony and child support. This professional assistance will help payers avoid penalties and stay current with payments. The fees associated with consulting such an attorney may even be deductible themselves.

Source: Forbes.com, "Taxes from A to Z: A is for alimony," Victoria Pynchon, March 3, 2012

Company founder hid $5 million in divorce, lawyer says

2012-03-11T23:35:06Z

The billionaire founder of SAC Advisors LP of Stamford has been accused of hiding more than $5 million from his wife during their divorce proceedings. This high-asset divorce involved the division of about $17 million in marital assets. An initial settlement had left the woman with $3.5 million in assets, which included $2.5 million invested in an apartment.

The man allegedly earned the money during a real-estate dispute settlement in 1989. The woman's representatives allege that he had also received a $3 million mortgage during this time. Attorneys for the man's ex-wife say he deliberately left the funds off of his financial statements; as a successful trader, he would have known how to manipulate financial data. Previous claims to this money have been rejected by district court justices, who said the woman waited too long to file her claim to the funds.

]]> She had filed the initial claim to the money in 2009, about 20 years after it was first earned. Her attorneys argued that she only discovered the indiscretion in 2008. The woman had made similar claims toward her ex-husband before, claiming that he misrepresented his earnings as early as 1991.

The man's representatives said he might have received the money, but the real estate holdings eventually ended in bankruptcy, so he didn't actually earn anything from the deal. The woman's attorneys argued the man was capable of skillfully concealing the funds during the divorce allotment thanks to his extensive experience in the financial sector.

The woman said she is guardedly optimistic that the previous decision denying her access to the funds will be reversed. She alleges that the man's business engages in a number of fraudulent financial activities, including money laundering, racketeering and other misdeeds. She also further claims that she is entitled to half of the man's business profits, since he used $1 million of her holdings as seed money for starting the company.

A decision in the case is still pending.

Source: Stamford Advocate, "Lawyer: SAC's Cohen hid $5.5M from ex-wife," Bloomberg News, Feb. 22, 2012

Kardashian, Humphries destined for divorce mediation

2012-03-02T00:12:48Z

Connecticut residents know that divorce can be a painful and arduous process, often played out in malicious courtroom proceedings. All of this misery can be avoided, according to legal experts, if couples choose divorce mediation techniques instead of direct legal intervention.

In the wake of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries' high-profile divorce, a distinct trend toward divorce mediation has been revealed. Kardashian, 31, has employed a variety of techniques to ensure that the divorce is private and civil, refusing to involve cameras or news reporters in the process. Mediation is a vital part of this plan.

]]> Several key factors have played into this decision, according to Kardashian's close family and friends. The couple wants to shorten the divorce proceedings by using these alternative dispute resolution processes, which will help them deal with their financial situation, among other concerns. Fortunately, the couple have maintained separate bank accounts, which will make the divorce proceeding relatively simple in money-related matters. The divorce proceedings will be conducted in California, which, like Connecticut, is a no-fault divorce state.

Experts say that mediation is becoming an increasingly popular option, even among celebrities because of a variety of beneficial factors. A landmark study conducted as early as the 1990s confirms that mediation is a good decision because mediated divorces take less time than traditional divorces, post-judgment modification is rare in mediated divorces, families experience fewer emotional and financial stressors, and both partners are more likely to see the judgments as fair.

Kardashian and Humphries will still likely benefit from this approach. Humphries, for example, intends to petition against the enforcement of the prenuptial agreement, which would make him subject to a gag order, preventing him from discussing the details of his relationship with Kardashian. This subject would be easier to confront in a mediation setting, instead of in an adversarial courtroom environment.

Humphries had initially proclaimed his intention to broadcast the divorce proceedings on a television network, which prompted Kardashian to request a mediator instead. Although we cannot yet be sure how this celebrity divorce will play out, we can say that mediation would likely allow the couple much more privacy, civility and peaceful resolution than a traditional trial format.

Source: LATimes.com, "Kris Humphries targets Kim Kardashian, reality TV in divorce duel," Matt Donnelly, Feb. 8, 2012

Source: Business 2 Community, "Divorce detox: 7 tips for keeping it civil," Feb. 20, 2012

Money and attempted murder lead to divorce

2012-02-27T19:13:37Z

A 30-year-old son, a scorned wife and a husband are caught up in a bitter divorce, as the husband is being accused of attempted murder. All are testifying in divorce court regarding ownership interests and division of marital property. In 2010, the husband allegedly tried to hire a hit man to kill his wife. There has been no trial date set thus far in the solicitation of capital murder case against the husband.

The wife has asked for a disproportionate share of the couple's assets and is claiming that her husband and son have defrauded her. The assets include a very successful optical business and a tattoo business. The son claims that the tattoo business is his. He was added as an owner in 2004, four years after his father opened the business.

]]> The son stated that his mother's claim of fraud is ridiculous and that the discord between his parents has damaged both businesses and that he hopes to restore their reputation. The son, who is trying to prove that he should get the businesses, said he started working in the optical store when he was in fourth grade. When he was a teenager, he was collecting an "allowance" of $200 every two weeks for working in the optical stores. The mother's attorney said that both parents, or at least his father, were co-signers on everything the son owned, including his home, a Hummer and a limo.

The son said that his father had asked him to borrow $5,000 on a trip to Las Vegas that the son had suggested. His mother had gone missing earlier in the week, and he was trying to cheer his father up. Police stated that $5,000 was half of what the husband agreed to pay for the hit on his wife. When police arrested the husband, he called his son and asked him to go to the house and get his cell phone and his shoes.

The son also stated that he doesn't condone his father's actions, but it is his mother that made him wary of trusting anyone.

Source: MySanAntonio.com, "Yuchnitz divorce also pits son against parents," Vianna Davila, Feb. 15, 2012

Smartphone data becoming important in divorce proceedings

2012-02-22T01:06:14Z

Smartphones have become an indispensible tool for people across the United States. Whether an iPhone, Blackberry or Android device, smartphones help people keep in touch with their friends and loved ones when they are on the go. It is no surprise, then, that smart phone data -- including texts, phone call information, Global Positioning System (GPS) data and browser histories -- is becoming increasingly important in divorce proceedings.

According to a recent survey of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), 92 percent of divorce attorneys surveyed reported an increase in the number of cases where evidence from iPhones, Droids and other smartphones played a role in the last three years. Of those surveyed, 94 percent reported an increase in the use of texting evidence over the same period.

]]> When it comes to the most popular forms of evidence from smartphones, text messages are at the top with 62 percent. After that, lawyers use emails, phone numbers and call histories. The least used are GPS and Internet search histories.

Evidence collected from smartphones is sure to become even more important in years to come. Indeed, texts can provide proof -- the proverbial "smoking gun"-- that an estranged spouse has been unfaithful or that he or she has been less than truthful about the state of his or her finances. It is important to collect as much information as possible, particularly in highly contentious divorce proceedings.

If you are considering seeking a divorce, it can be helpful to contact an experienced divorce attorney. A knowledgeable divorce lawyer can assess your case and offer you expert advice on issues such as child custody and property division.

Source: Daily Herald, "Lawyers using smartphone data in divorces," Feb. 11, 2012.

Wife of Yankees' general manager files for divorce

2012-02-14T17:22:55Z

Connecticut baseball fans may have heard that the Yankees' general manager's wife filed for divorce a day after her husband was accused of having a second affair. The accusations were made publicly. The woman he was allegedly having an affair with is now in jail on $200,000 bond for trying to extort money from the general manager. She already extorted $6,000 from him and was trying to get another $15,000 for unnamed medical bills.

In her divorce papers, which were submitted in a Stamford court, the wife stated that the marriage was "irretrievably" broken. She is asking for permanent alimony, division of real property and other marital property, and joint custody of the couple's two children.

]]> The wife and children have been living in the couple's $3.7 million dollar mansion. The woman that the general manager was having an affair with told her friends that she had been having an affair with the general manager for almost a year, but broke it off because she learned that he would not leave his wife. The woman also allegedly boasted that she would visit the general manager at his Yankee Stadium office and would get game tickets. She is being held at Riker's Island because she could not post bond.

Another one of the woman's friends said the general manager would often stay with the woman. Another friend stated that it was more than an affair -- it was more like the woman was the general manager's girlfriend. The woman who was having the affair said that the general manager gave her tickets and that she sat with the players' families.

In previous incidents, the general manager's wife stood by him through reports that he was having an affair. His previous affair was allegedly in 2009 with a soccer mom that had two children. The general manager's wife and the ex-soccer-mom-girlfriend also filed protective orders against the woman who is now incarcerated.

The wife's lawyer did not return calls from the source and the general manager's attorney had no comment about the divorce.

Source: New York Post, "Wife of Yankees GM files for divorce after latest cheating allegations," Liz Sadler, Feb. 4, 2012