Tag Archive for: Bucks County divorce attorney

Divorce may leave you wondering how you will access certain benefits you previously gained through your partner. For example, how will you navigate health insurance without your spousal benefits? Rest assured that you may have several options for securing health insurance after your divorce. 

Exploring your options can help you feel more confident starting the divorce process. Your attorney can also provide valuable advice as you learn to gain financial independence from your spouse. 

Other Options for Seeking Health Insurance

While sharing your spouse’s health insurance benefits may have been convenient during the marriage, this is not your only method of securing health coverage. There are other potential options for health insurance after divorce. 

  • Check with your employer: If you are employed, your employer may offer health insurance benefits. Check with the Human Resources department to understand the insurance options available to you. Divorce counts as a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) for many insurance providers, offering a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that could allow you to start coverage outside the typical enrollment window. 
  • Explore COBRA coverage: The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act could allow you to stay on your ex-spouse’s employer-sponsored health insurance for up to 36 months as long as their employer has at least 20 employees. 
  • The Health Insurance Marketplace: If you are not eligible for coverage through an employer, you can explore marketplace insurance, which allows you to purchase coverage directly. Premiums depend on a range of factors, such as your age, health conditions, tobacco use, etc. 

Some couples choose to go through legal separation rather than divorce to maintain benefits like health insurance. While legal separation is not formally recognized in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, it is a lifestyle option to explore if staying on your partner’s health insurance is critical. 

Whose Insurance Will Cover Your Children? 

Divorcing couples also need to consider whose insurance will cover their children. It might make sense for the custodial parent to cover the children through their health insurance plan. This may be different from how you covered them previously. 

The birthday rule dictates which parent’s health insurance acts as primary coverage for the children. It states that the parent whose birthday falls earlier in the year generally uses their insurance as the primary plan for the children. You and your spouse may choose to still follow this method of determining dependent coverage. 

Will There Be a Lapse in Coverage? 

In Pennsylvania, it can be challenging to predict exactly what day your divorce decree will be finalized. It is up to the judge who is overseeing your case.

Setting up insurance to start on the day your shared coverage ends might not be doable. Consider whether there might be a lapse in coverage and whether you want to look for temporary coverage to fill the gap. 

Seek Divorce Assistance From Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C. 

Navigating health insurance after divorce is just one of the many challenges that often arise during this process. Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., helps divorcees start moving forward. For a confidential consultation, contact us today at (866) 349-4117.

It is not uncommon for couples starting the divorce process to live in separate states. Perhaps they have been separated for some time, or one spouse has recently moved to a different state to gain distance from the marriage. However, navigating a divorce when your spouse is out of state might be a bit more complicated than a typical divorce case. 

Can you file for divorce from another state? Here are a few considerations for out-of-state divorce. 

Where Should You File for Divorce?

Divorce cases typically cannot take place in two different states at one time. The spouse who files for divorce will do so in the state that then has jurisdiction over the case. 

Many states have residency laws for filing for divorce. For example, to file for divorce in Pennsylvania, one or both of you must have resided in the state for six months or longer. These requirements might dictate who starts the divorce process in your marriage. 

There could also be advantages to filing in a specific state. Some states, Pennsylvania included, allow for no-fault divorce, meaning you do not need to prove grounds for a dissolution of marriage. Review the divorce laws in both states and consider which would potentially allow for a more streamlined divorce process.  

Do You Both Need Local Attorneys?

Can you file for divorce from another state? You can, but one spouse may need to travel to the other spouse’s state for in-person court appearances. You may wonder whether this means you need to hire an attorney in the state of filing or in your current state of residence. 

There are potential advantages to both options. Hiring an attorney in your area makes it easier to meet with them and strategize about the case. However, hiring an attorney in the filing state ensures that they have the proper licenses to practice in that state and understand applicable divorce laws. 

A good out-of-state attorney will help you manage communication, differing time zones, and other potential challenges.

Service of Process Across State Lines

Filing for divorce requires you to officially serve your spouse with the divorce papers. If your spouse resides in a different state, you can hire a process server in their area to complete the delivery. 

Process servers often work with nationwide networks of professionals to deliver legal documents across the country. They can serve your spouse according to applicable state laws and even help you track them down, should your spouse be unreachable. 

Developing Parenting Schedules Across State Lines

Finally, if you and your spouse share children, you will need to consider how parenting time will work if you live in different states. You may need to use mediation to resolve disagreements or allow the judge to determine a parenting schedule for you based on all relevant factors. 

Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., represents divorcees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We can help you file for divorce from another state and navigate any complexities that arise. 

Contact us at (866) 349-4117 for a confidential consultation. 

Going through a divorce as a stay-at-home mom can be stress-inducing. How will you afford to stay home and care for your kids without your partner’s income supporting the family? 

Stay-at-home moms often qualify for spousal support or alimony in Bucks County divorce cases. But how much alimony can a stay-at-home mom receive, and how long does this benefit last? Here is what you need to know. 

How Long Do Alimony Payments Continue for Stay-at-Home Parents? 

In Pennsylvania, the court determines the amount and duration of alimony awarded to a stay-at-home parent on a case-by-case basis. A judge would consider the receiving spouse’s financial need and income potential, among many other factors.

However, alimony is often awarded for just three years, which can place financial hardship on stay-at-home parents and seem unfair. Working with an experienced divorce attorney can help you support your need for alimony and seek a fair payment duration. 

How Stay-at-Home Parents Can Prove a Need for Spousal Support

How much alimony you can receive as a stay-at-home mom depends on your financial needs, among other factors. Your divorce attorney can help you support a need for sufficient alimony by presenting a loss of income potential. 

Perhaps you left your career to stay home with the children. Or maybe you never started a career because you had kids at a young age. Your role as a stay-at-home parent can significantly affect your earning potential for some time. You may face challenges finding gainful employment, or you may be unable to work outside the home due to your role as your children’s caretaker. 

Your attorney can help you quantify the value of the care you provide for your children and factor in your loss of income potential to determine a fair spousal support amount. Often, the goal of spousal support is to help the receiving partner maintain a similar standard of living while they pursue financial independence. 

Other Options for Stay-at-Home Parents Facing Financial Dependency in a Divorce

While some marriages lead to a need for permanent spousal support in divorce, the court often prefers to award this benefit only for the amount of time necessary for the recipient to successfully reenter the workforce. Creating a plan for reentry can help you feel more confident facing the financial changes that arise during divorce. 

You might consider:

  • Taking online classes to work toward a degree
  • Seeking career coaching
  • Being open to different types of work that may allow for flexibility with childcare
  • Sharing child custody with your spouse to give you the opportunity to work part-time

In the divorce, you might request that the judge award you more marital assets to help make up for your financial needs. Taking a lump sum in the divorce settlement may sometimes be a good idea to give you a financial cushion. 

Seek Guidance and Support From a Divorce Attorney

At Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., we often represent stay-at-home parents during the divorce process. We can help you understand how much alimony you might receive and advocate for your rights and interests throughout your divorce case. 

Contact us today at (866) 349-4117 for a confidential consultation.

Addiction can place significant strain on your relationship and ultimately lead to the breakdown of your marriage. If you are considering divorcing an addict, you likely have a strong reason for doing so. Approaching the divorce process strategically is important to protecting your rights and safety. 

Our team will put considerable time and effort into protecting you and your children during this very difficult time and long into your future.  

Protecting Yourself and Your Children 

Divorcing an addict is about more than just ending a marriage. You may also be considering divorce as a means to ensure your safety and protect your children. 

Still, you might feel complex emotions around the divorce. Perhaps your spouse has changed significantly since they began struggling with addiction, and you miss the person they were before their substance abuse became an issue. Or maybe you want to hold on to the idea that they could one day overcome their addiction. 

Through these emotions and thought processes, it is essential to prioritize your family’s safety above all else. In some cases, divorce may be a necessary step to protect yourself, and understanding your rights can help you navigate this process smoothly. 

Proving Addiction in Court

The court may take your spouse’s addiction into account when making decisions about custody, visitation, spousal support, division of assets, and more. Depending on the circumstances, your divorce attorney may help you collect evidence to prove your spouse’s addiction, such as:

  • Medical records
  • Police reports
  • Witness testimonies from neighbors or therapists

Presenting this evidence in court could help the judge make informed decisions about your spouse’s ability to parent or manage finances. Additionally, if you have previously been responsible for expenses like rehabilitation therapy, you may want to bring these up during discussions of asset division and alimony. 

Considering How Addiction Might Impact Custody

Addiction can impact a person’s ability to safely parent their children. The court aims to encourage children to spend time with their parents while also prioritizing their best interests when making decisions regarding custody.

If addiction poses a risk, the court might only allow supervised visitation rights for that parent. The court might also mandate other measures, such as routine drug testing, to monitor the addicted parent’s behavior and parenting abilities.  

The Importance of Iron-Clad Agreements 

When divorcing an addict, there might be a level of unpredictability around whether they will relapse, what their finances will look like in the future, and how their behavior will change. An iron-clad divorce agreement can help protect against future disputes and uncertainties. 

Work with a lawyer to create detailed, enforceable agreements on issues like:

  • Who can make decisions for your shared children
  • Any substance use conditions your spouse must meet, such as random testing
  • What custody and visitation will look like
  • Who will financially support the children

If your spouse’s behavior changes after the divorce, you can refer back to these agreements for guidance. 

Divorcing an addict presents unique challenges. Whether you are navigating a custody battle or sorting through feelings of codependency, Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., can provide legal guidance through this process. Call (866) 311-4783 for a confidential consultation. 

Divorce sometimes provokes adversarial actions in people. If you are going through a divorce and your spouse has intentionally spent a large sum of money from your shared accounts, you might be feeling hurt, betrayed, or angry. Understanding your options can help you navigate this situation and start rebuilding your finances. 

The most important factor here is the date of separation. If you and your spouse agreed to divorce and then they went on a spending spree, your case is much easier to prove.  

Proving Their Financial Behavior

Perhaps your spouse went on a “revenge spending spree” as a way to retaliate against you for initiating a divorce or taking other actions they find unfavorable. Perhaps they gambled away your shared assets or spent a substantial amount of money on a vacation. In any case, the money is gone, and you are likely wondering what steps you can take next. 

Again, we rely on the date of separation – and if your divorce is already filed, then even better.  

Gathering evidence that your spouse intentionally wasted your money is key. Request copies of all financial records showing these activities. For example, your credit card statement will show all the transactions that led to the card being maxed out, along with the dates of each transaction. 

These financial records will help you prove that the overspending was intentional and not part of your family’s normal spending habits. 

Exploring Solutions for Wasteful Spending 

Your divorce attorney can help you explore your options after your spouse intentionally wastes money in your shared accounts or shared assets. They can also petition the court to mandate that your spouse return the funds they spent, and we will work with you to ensure that any available funds are used to compensate you.  

During the divorce proceedings, your attorney can help you request an equitable distribution of assets that accounts for the money spent by your spouse. In some cases, the court may adjust the division of marital assets to reflect one party’s excessive spending. 

Preventing Future Spending and Rebuilding

Taking steps to safeguard your assets can help you prevent your spouse from further unauthorized withdrawals. 

  • Freeze all shared accounts and credit cards to prevent any unauthorized transactions. 
  • Monitor financial activity closely and notify your bank if you suspect any wasteful or extravagant spending by your spouse.
  • Open a separate bank account and start transferring your income into it. Take caution when transferring funds from your existing accounts, as such actions could be scrutinized during your divorce proceedings. 
  • Have our team put clear agreements in place regarding all financial matters as we work to finalize your divorce.  

Divorce has financial implications even when both spouses cooperate fully. You may want to consider taking steps to start rebuilding your financial situation now. For example, you might want to explore a part-time job or a higher-paying career path. It may also be helpful to start calculating whether you can afford major expenses, such as a mortgage or car payments, on your own. 

Turn to Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., for Assistance 

If your spouse has spent an excessive amount of money from shared accounts, there may be additional challenges to prepare for during the divorce process. Having a legal professional on your side can help you respond to your spouse’s behaviors appropriately while protecting your interests. 

Whether you are encountering a custody battle, alimony disputes, or other elements of a contested divorce, turn to Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., for assistance. Call (866) 311-4783 to request a consultation. 

Divorcing later in life, sometimes referred to as gray divorce, presents a few unique challenges. The longer you have shared a life with someone, the more interwoven your finances, assets, and livelihoods have likely become. Untangling these matters may benefit from the support of an experienced legal professional. 

Understanding the complications that sometimes arise with this process could help you feel more confident navigating them. 

Essential Considerations When Divorcing Later in Life 

Perhaps you and your spouse are nearing retirement age, or your adult children have recently moved out of the house. Many circumstances might prompt a couple to divorce later in life. When going through divorce proceedings, consider how you and your spouse will navigate each of the following potential issues. 

  • Supporting two households: You and your spouse are used to sharing expenses. Now, the income you previously shared to support one household will need to stretch farther to support two entirely separate households. 
  • Retirement: You and your spouse will need to divide retirement assets that you might have previously planned to share. This reduces the funds you each have available and may delay your retirement.  
  • Alimony: Alimony is somewhat common for couples divorcing later in life. If one spouse earns significantly more than the other, consider how alimony might be a factor in your divorce. 
  • Estate planning adjustments: You and your spouse might each need to adjust your estate plans to reflect your new marital status. You may need to remove each other as beneficiaries, update power of attorney documents, and adjust your life insurance policies. 
  • Adult children: If you and your spouse were planning to pay for major expenses such as college or weddings for adult children, talk about how you will approach these costs when separated. 

Consider Alternative Dispute Resolution for “Late Life” Divorce

Some couples who divorce later in life benefit from alternative dispute resolution methods as opposed to going to court and allowing a judge to make major decisions for them. For example, divorce mediation encourages you and your spouse to discuss and reach a mutual agreement on issues such as the division of assets and alimony. 

Alternative dispute resolution methods are sometimes less stressful and emotionally taxing than going to court. They could allow you and your spouse to maintain a cooperative dynamic after the divorce and avoid the tensions that sometimes arise when going through a court battle. 

How an Attorney Can Assist This Process

An experienced legal professional can help you navigate the many complexities of divorcing later in life. A divorce attorney will help you consider all potential complications in the divorce and explore alternative dispute resolution processes with you. They can review your divorce settlement agreement and identify any potential issues that may lead to future financial problems.

Consult Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C. 

If you are divorcing later in life or considering a legal separation, Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., can assist with evaluating your legal options during this process. Contact us today at (866) 311-4783 to schedule a confidential consultation.  

When you picture going through a divorce, you may envision you and your spouse each retaining your own attorney and passing much of the responsibility over to these legal professionals. But you may wonder: Can you negotiate your divorce yourself?

Negotiating the division of assets without a legal professional might make sense in certain cases. However, we highly recommend that you have an attorney review your final agreements.  And, if you have any reason to head to court, a Bucks County divorce attorney should be by your side. You want to protect your rights, and with self-representation, you might risk overlooking important legal considerations that could have financial implications. 

Benefits of Negotiating Your Divorce Yourself

For divorcing couples wanting to save money, it can be helpful to make preliminary agreements.  

This may save you a significant amount of time, especially if you and your spouse can reach a consensus fairly quickly.

  • It gives you and your spouse full control over certain outcomes in your divorce case without involving outside parties.
  • It saves you money on attorney’s fees. 

If you and your spouse are filing for an uncontested divorce, meaning you agree on all matters in the divorce case, you might be able to navigate the process without an attorney. 

However, we also caution you to really think through what you are agreeing to. The plan your spouse presents to you might seem equal and fair, but if your spouse had help with it, there may be an imbalance of knowledge or power. 

Potential Downsides of Negotiating Your Own Divorce

Sometimes, a pro se divorce, a divorce in which you represent yourself, could prevent you from achieving a favorable outcome. It could also lead you to overlook potential issues that might cause negative financial consequences. 

For example, perhaps your spouse agrees to give you the family home, but she is going to keep her entire retirement savings, including pension benefits.  

While you may be thrilled with the idea of keeping the home, you would walk away with an asset that requires maintenance, and you would have to ensure you can refinance the mortgage in your name. These details are critical to unpack before you sign on the dotted line.  

Your spouse may also ask that you split any debt, including car loans, student loans, and credit cards. However, we want to make sure that the debt is assigned to the spouse who will hold the asset.  

How a Divorce Attorney Can Assist

Attempting to work through ALL of the agreements on your own may only lead to further tensions and consume more time during your divorce process. With the help of a legal professional, you can use tools like divorce mediation to reach decisions on key issues. 

Your attorney can also find problems in your divorce settlement agreement before you file it. For example, how are you dividing assets? Which party will claim the children as dependents for tax purposes? How long will you or your spouse owe alimony?

Working with a legal professional could help clarify complex issues and streamline the divorce or legal separation process. 

Seek Guidance From Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C.

Can you negotiate your divorce yourself? You can, but we don’t recommend it. Working with an experienced legal professional such as Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., can help protect your interests, reduce stress, and lead to a better outcome. Contact us today at (866) 311-4783 for a consultation.

How do I file my taxes if I am getting a divorce?  

Going through a divorce can bring tax implications that you may not be aware of until long after you finalize the proceedings. What should you expect when it comes time for your first tax filing after your divorce? Our team will review the details based on your specific divorce. Here are some details to help answer your questions.  

First and foremost, you file your taxes based on your status as of December 31st of the previous year. If you were officially divorced by December 31st of the previous year, then you are going to file on your own. If you were not divorced by the end of the year, then you have the option to file together or file separately. Each has advantages and disadvantages, which an accountant can review with you at tax time.  

Understand the Long-Term Implications That Await

Dissolving your marriage means you’ll (more than likely) no longer share marital assets with your spouse and, instead, become the sole owner of various investments or properties. When you report your income to the IRS as an unmarried individual, the taxes owed can look quite different from when you were married. 

Say you plan to stay in the home you shared with your spouse, which calls for them to receive more in retirement investments, so your division of assets remains equitable. You will be responsible for any capital gains tax when you eventually sell the home. Consult an accountant to learn about divorce and tax deductions that come with the assets you receive following a marriage. 

Navigating Filing Status Changes Amid a Divorce

Your first tax filing after your divorce may not bring immediate changes, depending on the timing. 

Remember, if you finalize your divorce in January of 2026, the IRS will recognize you as married for the 2025 tax year because your divorce was not finalized before the December 31 deadline. In this case, you could file your 2025 taxes jointly or as married filing separately.

Changes could be afoot when you have to file as a single individual. For example, you could claim head of household status if you meet the following criteria:

  • Being either single, divorced, or legally separated on the last day of the tax year
  • Paying more than half of a household’s necessary expenses throughout the year
  • Living with a dependent for at least six months

Are alimony and child support taxable income?  

The simple answer here is usually not. However, if you were divorced long ago, you may be required to still count alimony as income for tax purposes.  

Become Familiar With Alimony Tax Rules and Child Tax Credits

If you have young children, your divorce decree will name a custodial parent. The custodial parent is the person who has the children in their care for the majority of the year. This person can claim child tax credits. 

Our Divorce Attorneys Are on Your Side – Contact Us Today

Don’t approach a tax filing after your divorce without proper knowledge. Team up with Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., and let our resourceful attorneys prepare you for all aspects of a divorce. We have years of experience practicing family law and are ready to see you through this transition. 

Call (866) 261-9529 or use our online booking tool to schedule a free legal consultation.

If you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse cannot reach agreements about issues like asset division, child custody, or spousal support on your own, you may need to go to trial. A judge will decide these issues for you based on Pennsylvania’s laws, attempting to reach a fair decision. We understand if you fear the lengthy court battles and stressful debates that can be part of this process. 

Here is what you need to know about going to court in a divorce. 

How Long Is the Divorce Court Process? 

If you and your spouse must use litigation to decide on divorce issues, you can generally expect the process to take about a year. It may be faster or slower, depending on court delays and how long you spend negotiating. 

The process generally follows these steps: 

  1. Evidence discovery, where you and your spouse both disclose finances and other relevant information
  2. Trial preparation and pre-trial conferences
  3. Motion hearings if either party seeks a specific court order or action 
  4. Trial, where both parties present evidence and witnesses to support their requests for custody or other issues
  5. Final judgment and divorce decree from the judge

Downsides of Going to Court

For some divorcing couples, going to trial is inevitable. They have tried to settle relevant matters on their own but cannot reach an agreement. Still, it’s worth exploring the potential downsides of going to trial as you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse attempt to reach a resolution. 

Legal fees, court costs, and other expenses often make going to trial expensive. This process also takes more time than reaching a divorce agreement on your own. 

During negotiations with your spouse, they can claim rights to any new money you earn. These claims can cost you more time and money, even if they are unfounded. Your finances may not truly be separate from theirs until the divorce is finalized. 

Above all, going to trial means you permit a judge to make all decisions about the divorce for you, and you and your spouse must abide by them. While you can attempt to prove your side with evidence and an attorney’s assistance, you won’t have any say in the judge’s final decision, and it may not adequately reflect your wishes or situation. 

Mediation May Help You Avoid Court 

Divorce attorneys typically advise couples to try mediation before enduring lengthy court battles. This process involves meeting with a trained mediator who can help you resolve your dispute. You and your spouse will each have an opportunity to present your case and negotiate a mutually beneficial solution. 

Finding out the downsides of going to court may prompt you and your spouse to be willing to compromise on issues to avoid this process. Mediation is worth a try, as it could save you a significant amount of time and money. 

Let Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., Guide Your Divorce Process

Whether you want to try mediation or need an experienced attorney to help you through a lengthy court battle, Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., is here for you. Call (866) 349-4149 to schedule a general consultation. 

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Dividing assets in a divorce is often one of the more stressful steps of the process. Pennsylvania follows an equitable distribution policy, meaning the courts attempt to divide a divorcing couple’s assets fairly between them. This is often easier said than done. 

Following these initial steps can help you begin to separate property from your spouse and start moving forward financially. 

Pinpoint the Date of Separation 

What day did you and your spouse separate and/or begin the divorce process? Write down this date. This will help you determine which assets and debts are considered community property or marital assets and which are separate. 

The assets you acquire after the date of separation could be considered separate property. This date is also important in determining the length of the marriage and the start date for spousal support or child support, if applicable. 

Close All Joint Bank Accounts and Open Your Own

Begin by opening your own separate bank account and start putting your paychecks and other income into it. This will allow you to begin accruing your own money that is completely separate from your spouse. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about accidentally stealing from their share of the funds when you begin paying legal fees or other associated expenses from the divorce. 

Eventually, you will want to close any joint bank accounts that you share with your spouse. However, in the beginning, you may want to keep a joint account open from which you can pay household and other shared bills until you decide who will be responsible for paying which bills.

Close All Credit Cards and Examine Your Debt

Next, contact your credit card companies and close any shared accounts as well. Open your own credit cards that are solely in your name. 

If any of your shared credit cards are in the red, talk to your attorney about how to proceed. Along with dividing assets in a divorce, you must divide shared debts fairly. 

Hold On to Pensions and Brokerage Accounts for Now

You may assume that the next step should be to divide pensions or brokerage accounts between you. Instead, hold off on this until you have spoken with your attorney. You may need a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) to gain permission to divide the accounts between you. 

Talk to Your Mortgage Broker About Keeping the House 

You may also assume that you will keep the house and that your spouse will find somewhere else to live. While this might be your preference, it isn’t always doable. You should speak with your mortgage broker about the requirements to maintain the mortgage on your own. 

If you cannot afford the mortgage based on your finances, you may need to sell the house as part of the property division agreement. Alternatively, perhaps you could sacrifice other assets to keep the house. 

Let Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., Assist in Your Asset Division 

Dividing assets in a divorce may feel overwhelming, but our attorneys are here to guide you through this process. We can help with asset valuation and maintain your right to equitable distribution. Contact Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., today at (866) 349-4149 to book a confidential consultation.