Author Archives: Amos Whitney
#FreeBritney Let’s Be Honest, Does Britney Spears Need A Guardian?
There was a lot of talk recently about Britney Spears and whether or not she needs a guardianship (a/k/a conservatorship). People don’t really understand guardianships but to most it just doesn’t seem fair in many people’s eyes. The focus is why does her dad control her and her money and why can’t everyone (especially… Read More »
PRENUP UPHELD! Kelly Clarkson Protects 45 Million in Assets – But Did She Have to Worry About Her Premarital Property?
Back in December, we discussed Clarkson’s divorce in the context of soon-to-be ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s request for $436,000 per month in support, which was contrary to the parties’ Prenuptial Agreement (Prenup). In late July, the Court ordered Clarkson to pay Blackstock $150,000 per month in temporary spousal support (alimony) and $45,000 per month in… Read More »
#FreeBritney Has Everyone Wondering – What is a Conservatorship?
What is a conservatorship? And is it different from a guardianship? Until recently, most people had no idea that a concept such as a conservatorship even existed, but ever since Britney’s legal battle with her conservatorship hit mainstream media, it’s the latest topic of conversation. For a little background: Since 2008, Britney has been… Read More »
Determing the Equity in the Marital Home
In many divorce cases, one of the most valuable assets to be determined and divided is the equity developed in the marital home. For those individuals who have been making years and years of mortgage payments, a substantial amount of equity may have been acquired over time. But even those couples who have not… Read More »
Top 10 Things To Bring To The First Meeting With Your Divorce Attorney
Documents evidencing your and your spouse’s assets; such as: Bank Statements Brokerage Statements 401k, 403b, IRA, Roth-IRA, SEP-IRA, TSP, Pension Statements, FERS or CSRS Statements Bonds Mutual Fund Statements College Fund Statements Stock Option Statements Information evidencing the value of your family home, vacation home, rental properties; such as: Zillow Zestimate Values from… Read More »
QDRO—An Insurance Policy for Your Retirement Interests
Divorcing couples often assume that their house is their largest marital asset and focus their efforts on “who gets the house, do we sell the house?” In doing so, they may overlook their second largest asset, which is their retirement account (and sometimes, these accounts are actually more valuable than their house!) Most assets… Read More »
But Who Gets The Dog?
I recently had a client walk into an initial consult and tell me she was willing to give her soon-to-be-ex everything he wanted as long as she got custody of their fur-baby. The fur-baby in question was a beautiful 70 pound Goldendoodle she and her husband had adopted several years ago, during happier times…. Read More »
The Multibillion-Dollar Gates Divorce, and No Prenup
Bill and Melinda Gates decided to call it quits after 27 years of marriage. As it turns out, they didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement 27 years ago. Was this a massive blunder that could cost Bill Gates half of his fortune? Bill and Melinda have reportedly already signed a separation agreement dividing up their… Read More »
How Old Does My Child Have to be to Decide Where They Will Live?
Any attorney who regularly practices family law has heard some version of the question: how old does my child have to be to decide which parent they will live with? The answer, not surprisingly, can depend very much on the circumstances facing the particular family. Ultimately, the child’s preference is one factor in the… Read More »
A Glossary of Definitions for the 10 Most Frequently Misunderstood Maryland Family Law Terms
Incorporated But Not Merged: Maryland Attorneys often request that the Court incorporate, but not merge, an Agreement into a Court Order. The request can be made for any type of an Agreement; a Marital Settlement Agreement, a Custody Agreement, a Temporary Agreement, a Post-Nuptial Agreement, or a Child Support Agreement, for example. We do… Read More »
