When spouses come from different countries, divorce can take on international dimensions, whether the marriage took place on U.S. soil or abroad. Multiple issues can combine to complicate the divorce process, making it more time-consuming and expensive. Immigration troubles can arise if one spouse’s legal status in the U.S. is based on the marriage and he or she wants to…
It is increasingly common for citizens of different countries to marry or for citizens of one country to marry and then move abroad. When such couples seek to get divorced, however, they face challenges that can complicate an already difficult process and make it more expensive and stressful. Nearly all international divorces raise two key questions. The first is jurisdiction,…
Property division is an often contentious aspect of divorce cases and is even more difficult if the spouses have high incomes and hold large financial resources. Wealthy people tend to have a wide variety of assets that must be quantified and valued so that each spouse’s share is properly calculated. This can be a lengthy and complicated process. Florida follows…
When one or both spouses own all or part of a private business, that ownership stake may be considered a marital asset that is subject to equitable distribution in a divorce. Often, one spouse is a founding owner of a business that may predate the marriage. In some cases, a non-owner spouse contributes capital for the business and/or adds value…
Many Americans hold substantial assets in foreign countries for various reasons. High-net-worth individuals often keep assets abroad for favorable tax treatment or to protect their wealth, since property held in foreign countries cannot easily be seized by U.S. based creditors or claimants. Sometimes, people illegally hide their wealth from domestic taxing or law enforcement authorities. Whatever the reasons or circumstances,…
Unwinding a marriage means separating finances and working out parental time-sharing arrangements if children are involved. All of these are difficult enough on their own, but things can really get complicated when the divorce proceedings are international in scope. International divorces are those in which one of the spouses is a citizen of another country, the marriage occurred abroad, either…
Division of assets can be one of the most contentious issues during a divorce. Unless you have a prenuptial agreement, Florida law requires a fair division of marital assets and liabilities. This division becomes problematic, however, when one partner hides assets from the other. Under Florida’s equitable distribution law, each party to a divorce has a duty to disclose all…
During a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, family becomes more important than ever, especially for children whose schedules have been disrupted by long-term school closures and the cancellation of other activities. Parents who are divorced or live apart for other reasons know the importance of maintaining healthy communication through difficult situations. Though this situation is unlike any other, some…
Going through a divorce is stressful enough, but the coronavirus pandemic spreading throughout the United States presents additional complications for spouses who have decided to split. In addition to changes that might need to be made regarding custody and visitation arrangements while travel is restricted, negotiations over property division need to address any new economic circumstances. For example, the value…