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How much do divorce lawyers cost?

yuming — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:51:07 +0000

We’ve discussed how to keep your divorce fees down in our previous post, so we’re going to delve deeper into how much matrimonial lawyers charge. Knowing the pricing structure could help you decide on how to save some more dollars, or rather, lessen the financial casualty the breakdown of your marriage caused.

Most lawyers bill you by the hour, so if they charge $200 per hour, it will cost you $2,000 for 10 hours.

But most full-service lawyers would want some payment upfront, and this is called a retainer. This amount varies from firm to firm and from state to state, but to give you a very rough idea, lawyers in the New York City area charge $10,000 to $20,000 for a retainer. That’s just getting started so if you have a long and complicated case, it will truly cost you thousands of dollars.

After you pay the retainer, your lawyer will subtract the hourly rate until the case is over or when the retainer amount is depleted. You could either sign another retainer or just pay your lawyer by the hour that is billed to you weekly or monthly.

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How to keep your legal fees down during a divorce

yuming — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:36:06 +0000

Once you have decided that your marriage is not salvageable, the next step is to get the deed done. As much as it is a tragic event in one’s life, divorce costs money — a lot of it if you do not proceed wisely. How do you keep your legal fees to a minimum in a divorce?

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Separated but living together: How to get through it

yuming — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:52:47 +0000

There have been many reports about how the economic downturn is leading to more divorces. In good times, money can be an easy band aid to gloss over toxic relationship issues, but in bad times, people cannot afford distractions and fights start to escalate at home.

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Changing the face of divorced dads

yuming — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:43:57 +0000

Although there are abundant horror stories about deadbeat fathers, divorced dads who want to spend more time with their kids are a growing group trying to be heard. In his latest book, Hollywood celebrity Alec Baldwin speaks of his own struggle with post-divorce alienation from his daughter — we are forced to think that this is not just a problem faced by regular guys because it’s happens a lot to many divorced fathers.

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Women suffer more in divorce

yuming — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:15:53 +0000

Although we all probably know that divorce hits women harder than men with tons of anecdotal evidence, but there are statistics to prove it and they don’t look good at all.

According to Long Island University’s National Center for Women & Retirement Research, the average woman sees a 45 per cent drop in her standard of living after divorce, while the average man improves his standard of living by 15 per cent.

The financial drain of the home and children tend to fall on women’s shoulders, while men suddenly have more dollars in the bank. While this is certainly a stereotypical snapshot, the reality is that a lot of people do fit into such a cliché.

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After gay marriage, divorce is even tougher

yuming — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:56:00 +0000

Brangelina may have sounded like cheeseball idealists when they said, “Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able.” But seriously, wouldn’t the world be a much better place when we stop this nonsense about who can get married and now who can get divorced?

In a bittersweet statement, Providence resident Cassandra Ormiston, sums it up in her inability to get divorced from her lesbian partner Margaret Chambers, “I’m a 61-year-old woman who always votes and pays my taxes, “I’m a good citizen, a good American. And then to be told I don’t have the same rights as everyone else.”

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How to prepare for a divorce

yuming — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:34:39 +0000

You have fought all the fights and tried to make it work, but it isn’t happening. Both you and your spouse have decided to call it quits and maybe one of you has moved out.

Many experts will tell you to not let your emotions get the better of you and you need get ready. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls made in divorce proceedings. These tips will help me make more informed and sound decisions.

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Madonna and Guy: Together or not?

yuming — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:27:32 +0000

The Internet has been ablaze with reports of Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie’s impending split because the Material Girl star allegedly visited Fiona Shackleton, the dynamo legal eagle behind Princess Diana and Sir Paul McCartney’s divorces.

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Paul McCartney in divorce face-off with Heather Mills

To divorce or not: Does the nature of an affair matter?

yuming — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:13:17 +0000

Yes, for most people, they would consider what kind of infidelity was committed. The decision to break up really depends where you are coming from and other factors in your relationship.

In our previous article on whether or not to leave a cheating spouse, we discussed the important questions we should ask while making what could one of life’s most difficult decisions.

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Bill Murray and wife given quick divorce

yuming — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:26:40 +0000

The family courts have granted Bill Murray and his wife of 10 years, Jennifer, a speedy divorce.

The couple’s separation was only publicized last month. According to court documents, she will have custody of their four children and was given the marital home as part of her settlement. Murray will pay child support.

Jennifer allegedly filed for divorce because the comedian was an abusive sex addict and the breakdown of their marriage was due to his “adultery, addiction to marijuana and alcohol, abusive behavior, physical abuse, sexual addictions and frequent abandonment.”