Divorce

How to Deal with a Difficult Spouse During Divorce in Manhattan

Going through a divorce in New York can be a difficult and emotional experience, especially when you are dealing with a difficult or narcissistic spouse. When emotions are high and tensions are running high, it can be challenging to communicate effectively and find a resolution that works for both spouses. If you are going through a divorce in Manhattan and are struggling to deal with a difficult spouse, contact Sabra Law Group at (646) 472-7971 for the guidance you need on your divorce.

Below Are Some Suggestions to Help You Navigate a Difficult Spouse During the Divorce Process

Seek Legal Guidance and Representation: One of the first things you should do when dealing with a difficult spouse during a divorce is to seek legal representation. An experienced divorce lawyer can provide you with the guidance and support you need to navigate the legal process and protect your rights. A Manhattan divorce lawyer can also help you negotiate a fair settlement and resolve any disputes that may come up during the divorce process.
Utilize Your Attorney for Communication: When emotions are high, it can be challenging to have difficult conversations with your spouse. One way to avoid unnecessary conflict is to utilize your attorneys to communicate on your behalf. Your divorce attorneys can help you have a more civilized and structured conversation so you can avoid any miscommunication.
Set Your Boundaries: It is imperative to set appropriate boundaries during the divorce process to protect yourself and avoid further conflict with your spouse. You can do this by being clear on how you want communication to occur and how you wish to be contacted. It may also include setting boundaries on which topics are off-limit.
Seek the Support of Your Friends and Family: Going through a divorce can be a very isolating experience, so it's important to seek support from friends, family, and professional resources. Having friends and family who can support you can help you deal better with the emotional toll of divorce.
Stay Focused on the End Goal: Don’t let your spouse's behavior dictate your actions. Remember to stay focused on the end goal and keep in mind that going through a divorce is temporary. Stay focused on the end result so that you can make decisions based on what is best for your future.
Prioritize Self-Care: Going through a divorce can be an extremely stressful process; therefore, remember to take care of yourself and take time out to de-stress. Try to get daily exercise, enough sleep and rest, and consider taking friends and family up on their offer to help with the kids.
Consider Divorce Mediation: If you and your spouse are having difficulty communicating effectively and coming to an amicable agreement, you may want to consider mediation to resolve your disputes. A divorce mediator is a neutral third party who can help facilitate a resolution that works for both parties.
Know Your Rights: It is critical to know what your rights are when it comes to divorce in New York state. A qualified Manhattan divorce attorney can help you understand your rights and ensure that they are being protected.

Dealing With a Difficult Spouse During Divorce in Manhattan, New York?

If you are going through a divorce in Manhattan and are trying to resolve issues with a difficult spouse, seek the guidance and support of an experienced divorce attorney. Sabra Law Group is here to assist you with the divorce process. Contact Sabra Law Group at (646) 472-7971 for a confidential consultation and to learn more about your options.

Should You Tell Your Friends That You Are Getting Divorced?

When it comes to getting divorced there are many considerations that come to mind. There are so many people that you may need to break the news of divorce to; however, is it always best to tell your friends that you're getting divorced? It depends, sometimes it is a good idea and sometimes it is not, so it requires your discernment.

It may already be hard enough to break the news of your divorce to your parents especially if they were really close with your spouse. And of course, you can't hide divorce from the kids, so you do have to break the news to them which is usually difficult to do. But when it comes to telling your friends about your divorce there are pros and there are cons.

The Pros of Telling Your Friends That You Are Getting Divorced

One of the advantages of telling your friends that you're getting divorced is that you may need a support system to rely on during this difficult time. There will be days when you are feeling extremely challenged and having someone to talk too can help take some of that burden off. Another consideration is that your friends may see a perspective that you don't see which can help bring more clarity to your divorce.

Not keeping your emotions bottled up is a healthy way to release the pain that you may be feeling during this time. However, do not rely solely on your friends as they also have their own problems and challenges in life. If you are overwhelmed by your divorce, it may make sense to seek professional help, such as a therapist, life or divorce coach or member of the clergy.

The Cons of Telling Your Friends That You're Getting Divorced

Sometimes it's not always a good idea to tell your friends right away that you're getting divorced. It may be better to hold off a bit and be very strategic about which friends you choose to share your divorce news with. You may be in a vulnerable state and the last thing you need is to tell someone who's going to become who's going to share your personal business with everyone else. There is nothing worse than telling a friend something in confidence and they go gossip with other friends.

Don’t Be Afraid to Set Boundaries with Your Friends

It is important to set boundaries with your friends, and if certain friends intrude too much in your personal life, it is okay to say, “I don’t feel comfortable sharing that with you.”

Furthermore, some friends may give you the tough love that you don't really need. You may be looking for compassion and an ear to listen, but some friends may come down hard on you. This may have nothing to do with you, but more so their own personal experience with divorce.

Other friends may give you unwanted advice that isn't necessarily best for the outcome of your divorce and your situation. It is imperative to be discerning with which advice to take to heart and which to let in one ear and out the other.

Some friends may not want to hear you complain about your divorce all the time and it is important to recognize who those friends are and respect their space. It may also be beneficial to your emotional well-being to have friends who are not aware of your divorce so that you can “be yourself” and not have your divorce and what is happening in that aspect of your life be front and center in all of your interactions with others. The group of friends who do not know can serve as a sort of “reprieve” and an “escape”.

Getting Divorce in New York?

Call Sabra Law Group to set up a confidential consultation today at (646) 472-7971. Get the guidance you need to get through your divorce.

3 Tactics Your Manipulative Spouse May Use During the Divorce Process in New York

Do you have a manipulative ex? Learn how to outsmart your spouse by knowing the tactics that they may use during the divorce process in New York.

If you're soon to be ex-spouse is a master manipulator or a narcissist by nature, they are not going to let you get off the hook so easily when it comes to divorce.

In fact, they may try to make things very difficult for you and if you can identify when they are resorting to manipulation; you might be better equipped to handle them.

Below Are 3 Tactics to Recognize When Your Spouse is Being Manipulative During the Divorce Process

They May Delay the Divorce Process:

One way to delay the divorce process is they may fail to show up at hearings or not sign important documentation on time.

They may even change their mind during important negotiations just to not come to a resolution so that the divorce process can be dragged on as long as possible.

It is important to know that your spouse is doing this because they want to tear you down emotionally and financially, and they think that you're going to give up easily. They want to believe that you will accept anything just to get over the divorce process.

The best way to deal with this is to have your lawyer handle your difficult spouse. An experienced New York divorce lawyer can help sort through difficult issues with your soon-to-be ex.

They May Lie About Their Income

Your spouse may try to manipulate the court and make it look like they earn less money than they do to avoid paying alimony or child support.

Tip: even though lying to the court is illegal; you're going to have to prove that your ex makes more income than they are disclosing publicly. It is advisable to gather all important bank statements and documentation that you can get your hands on and share them with your divorce attorney.

Your Spouse May Try to Hurry the Divorce Process Along

If your spouse is rushing the divorce process it is highly likely that they want to get out of the marriage as soon as possible. Perhaps they have been cheating on you and they want to pay as little as possible for the divorce settlement. They believe that the sooner you sign, the sooner it's resolved, and they can move on with their life.

You deserve to get the best settlement possible and should not rush through the divorce process just because your ex is pushing you. One way to ensure that you get the settlement that you deserve is to hire an experienced New York divorce attorney who can negotiate on your behalf.

Need Help Dealing with a Manipulative and Narcissistic Spouse?

Contact Sabra Law Group today to request a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971. Sabra Law Group can help guide you through the divorce process and aid with difficult situations that arise with your ex.

5 Signs That Your Spouse May Want a Divorce

Has your spouse been acting more distant and aloof lately? Don’t be blindsided and learn how to recognize the warning signs of divorce. If you recognize the warning signs of divorce you can try to salvage your marriage before it is too late.

Learn to Spot the 5 Signs That Your Spouse May be Wanting a Divorce (But Just Hasn't Told You Yet)

Your Spouse Appears Distant

Whenever you try to talk to your spouse, they seem to be in a world of their own. You notice that they are becoming more and more distant. When your spouse is distancing themselves from you, pay attention because this could be a sign that they are losing interest in the marriage.

Your Spouse Doesn’t Make Plans for the Future

Have you noticed that when you try to make plans for a future trip or future events with your spouse, they seem disinterested? The reason they may not be interested in making future plans is that they know they are planning an exit strategy to exit the marriage.

Your Spouse Spends Less Time at Home

Does your spouse work later than normal or use work as an excuse to not be home or spend quality time with you? Of course, we realize that there are times when work can be demanding or requires more hours during deadlines but are you noticing unusual patterns? Your spouse spending less time at home can mean a couple of things. There is always a possibility they are extremely busy with work. It could also be that they are using “working late tonight” as an excuse to be cheating on their spouse. You will have to be discerning in coming to your conclusions and it may require addressing the issue and putting it out there.

There Are More Arguments and Disagreements in the Marriage

If things that you would normally agree on are now a cause for a fight; this could indicate that your marriage is in trouble. If you and your spouse are clashing on everything; this could be a big red flag. Of course, every married couple has disagreements. Some disagreements are concerning parenting, finances, or infidelity but if you start fighting over every little thing…take note.

They Seem Mentally and Physically Withdrawn

If they stop being intimate with you, even if you try to be intimate with them, it could mean that they have lost interest in you and the marriage. It could also be a sign that they may be getting their mental and physical needs met elsewhere.

Have You Failed to Salvage Your Marriage?

If you have tried to save your marriage after recognizing the warning signs of divorce but weren’t able to, contact Sabra Law Group today to request a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971.

Should You Forgive Your Spouse for Cheating or File for Divorce?

Infidelity is one of the leading causes of divorce in America. Many married couples have to wonder if they should forgive their spouse for cheating or if they should file for divorce. Deciding to divorce is a major life decision so it should not be taken lightly.

We must also consider that the definition of cheating means different things to different people. Some would define cheating as having a physical relationship with anyone other than their spouse. Other forms of cheating may be as simple as talking to a person of the opposite sex and may be considered emotional cheating.

Is Emotional Cheating Considered Cheating?

Depending on who you ask, the answer might be “yes” emotional cheating is cheating.

One example of cheating emotionally is when a physical relationship has not transpired yet but there are text messages to prove that it's leading in that direction. The marriage vows that were taken to be faithful until death do you part have gone out the door. The spouse that is being emotionally cheated on may feel hurt and betrayed that their spouse was planning to cheat physically. They may also question if their spouse has already cheated on them in the past.

Once trust is lost in a marriage, it is difficult to get it back. Also, depending on the jealousy level of a spouse, it can be harder for someone who is jealous by nature to deal with emotional cheating.

How is Cheating Defined in a Marriage?

At a personal level, how cheating is defined really depends on each individual. It depends on what your tolerance level is, and how confident you are with your mate. What type of a relationship you set up in the beginning also plays a huge part. Furthermore, it depends on what your level of trust is with your partner; do you trust them, or do you not trust them? There is a legal aspect as well, and how your state defines “adultery” and what proof would be necessary to meet the legal burden of proof.

Have Open Communication with Your Spouse Before Jumping to Conclusions

If you suspect that your spouse has been cheating on you, it is best to confront them openly and candidly. You never know if you're overreacting to something that you think is going on and what if there was nothing going on? You wouldn't want to end your marriage based off that prematurely. It would be wise to gather all the facts before jumping to conclusions. You may want to seek the assistance of a professional who can help support each of you in navigating this difficult and sensitive conversation. If you do end up learning that your spouse has been cheating on you; you may have to do some soul-searching to figure out if you want to give this marriage another chance. In addition, you will need to determine if this was an isolated incident or if your spouse may have a pattern of cheating throughout the years?

Is Forgiveness Possible?

If there are already trust issues in your marriage it may be difficult to overcome this betrayal. You must think about what you want and see if you can get through this together as a couple. Marriage counseling may also be a good option to consider if you are not ready to give up so easily.

If you are not able to get over the infidelity and feel that you will foster resentment, it may be challenging to move forward in your marriage. You will have to ask yourself some difficult questions during this process, such as “am I willing to forgive and get past this for the sake of our relationship?”

Explore Your Options and Then Make Your Final Decision

You always have the option to consult a Manhattan divorce mediator to see what your options are if you do decide to part ways. Call Sabra Law Group today if you are considering divorce in New York at (646) 472-7971.

Evaluating Assets During a High Net Worth Divorce in Manhattan NY

Any item that has a monetary value whether it is tangible or intangible is considered an asset. A couple who is divorcing has the option to cash in their assets by selling them. They can also withdraw funds from an account or cash out insurance.

Some Examples of Assets and a High Net Worth Divorce Include:

Real Estate: real estate can include properties such as a home, land, or even a commercial investment property.

Savings and Checking Accounts: cash that is stored in bank accounts and safe deposit boxes.

401K and Retirement Plans: Annuities, stocks, bonds, and life insurance are also examples of assets.

Personal Property: personal property refers to everything that is owned by the couple that is not real estate. This may include family heirlooms, furniture, artwork, appliances, jewelry, cars, trucks, boats, and recreational vehicles, and pets too.

What is the Valuation and Division of Assets?

Divorcing couples should make sure that they have a clear understanding of what belongs to them personally and what is considered community property. Divorcing couples are required to make a list of all their assets and when it is a high net worth divorce, the assets can actually be quite complex. Therefore, it is imperative to be very detailed and not forget to list any of the assets.

There may be multiple retirement accounts, real estate properties, savings accounts, and assets that are held in not-so-common places. Which may include NFTs, expensive art, high-fashion collections, yachts, investments, and jewelry.

Get Your Assets Documentation in Order and Consult an Expert Who Can Assist with Valuation

Gathering all this documentation and information may not be a quick and easy task. Not everyone has all these assets in order; if that's the case it's going to take a little bit of commitment to gather all these documents and put them into an orderly fashion. If you have to go to court the court will require them, and even your divorce mediator will need this information to help you with your divorce case.

Every single asset needs to be accurately valued and therefore you may need to hire an expert who can help with the valuation of the assets. A lot of things must be taken into consideration, such as consequences of liquidation, transfer and division of those assets, and also transferring or paying out those assets to the spouse when they do get awarded.

Need Assistance with Separating Assets for Your High Net Worth Divorce in Manhattan, NY?

Contact Sabra Law Group today for a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971. Sabra Law Group is experienced in handling high net worth divorce cases in New York City.

What Are the Benefits of a Collaborative Divorce in Manhattan

Once you have made the decision to divorce, the next step is to determine what type of divorce you want. The type of divorce you decide to go with will depend on the relationship you have with your spouse. If you and your spouse are still on friendlier terms; then you may want to consider a collaborative divorce. In a collaborative divorce, you and your spouse can work together, with the assistance of collaborative divorce professionals, to decide how to handle matters such as child custody and child support, division of assets, etc. The other option is to let the judge decide on divorce-related matters. The issue with leaving it up to the judge is that you may not be happy with the outcome if it doesn’t go in your favor. If you are seeking a less stressful option for your divorce, consider a collaborative divorce in Manhattan.

Some Benefits of a Collaborative Divorce

It Gives You the Power to Negotiate What You Want: There are so many important issues to work out when ending a marriage. Going the collaborative divorce route allows you to negotiate with your spouse and come to an agreement on important matters.

An experienced divorce mediation attorney can help you during the negotiation process.

During these negotiation meetings, both spouses will determine what they agree on and what needs to be adjusted. Multiple meetings may be required to resolve all divorce-related matters.

It Speeds Up the Divorce Process: Going to court and having to deal with the judge can drag on for months or even years depending on the complexity of the divorce case. It can also end up being very costly and stressful. In collaborative divorce, the resolution of the issues can be worked on based upon your schedule and availability, rather than the full docket of a court.

It Allows You to Focus on What is Really Important: You and your spouse may have different opinions of what is important in terms of the outcome of the divorce. By clearly communicating your must-haves to your spouse and vice versa; it allows for open communication and conversation.

Prioritize What You Want Out of the Divorce: There are certain things that you may be willing to compromise on but there are also things that you are not willing to compromise on. Collaborative divorce does require some degree of compromising from both parties, however, that does not mean you have to agree on 100% of everything right from start. With the assistance of collaborative divorce professionals, you can reach an agreement on all of the issues through the collaborative divorce process.

Speak to a Manhattan Divorce Mediation Attorney About a Collaborative Divorce

If you want to learn more about a collaborative divorce in Manhattan contact Sabra Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971.

5 Reasons Couples Get Divorced in Manhattan

There can be many different reasons for married couples getting divorced in Manhattan, however, some reasons are more prevalent than others.

5 Reasons Couples File for Divorce in Manhattan, New York

Infidelity

One of the most common factors that breaks up a marriage is infidelity. Extramarital affairs are common when couples are not happy in their marriage. They are looking outside for what they are lacking in their marriage. For others, there may not be a specific reason for cheating, and it may just be something they are compelled to do. For many spouses, an affair is a deal breaker and causes major conflict in a marriage; that ultimately leads to divorce.

Growing Apart

Another factor that causes Manhattan couples to file for divorce is growing apart. This can happen if one spouse might be a workaholic and works a lot and is traveling all the time. This can also happen because as people grow older their interests change. When the other spouse does not show interest in what their spouse is interested in, it can cause them to grow apart. Another scenario is if one spouse has worked on improving themselves and the other spouse has stayed stagnant.

Money Problems

Financial problems can be a major cause of divorce because it causes so much strain on a marriage. Furthermore, if one partner is not pulling in their weight financially, it puts extra burden on the spouse who is bringing in the income. Another scenario is if one spouse spends money like crazy and the other one is more frugal. All these factors can lead to financial incompatibility.

Lack of Communication

When married couples are not able to communicate with each other effectively and frequently it can cause strain on a marriage. If a couple is consistently fighting but they're not able to get past their fight and apologize to each other; it leaves a lot of unresolved issues. The lack of communication can cause resentment for both parties. If married couples cannot learn from the experience and grow together as a couple, it can cause them to drift in separate directions.

Abusive Spouse and/or Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is one of the primary reasons couples get divorced across the nation. The abuse can be mental or physical but when it continues to happen on an ongoing basis it can cause the abused spouse to leave the marriage. No one wants to live in a miserable marriage and on top of it be abused by their mate. Some people they stay in a marriage way longer than they should for the sake of the kids. But ultimately, it's essential to put your mental and physical health above all. An abusive spouse can leave an emotional toll that can take years of therapy to get over. The sooner an abused spouse can get away from their abusive spouse, the less damage there will be in the long run.

Are You Contemplating Divorce in Manhattan, New York?

Contact an experienced divorce mediator and divorce lawyer today to schedule a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971.

What You Need to Know About Marital Debt and Divorce in New York

In a divorce, just as marital assets are split up so is marital debt. While both spouses may be awarded a division of the marital assets and be burdened with a division of the marital debt, it is also important to be aware of whose name is on the contract for the debt. What this means to you is that if your name is on a car loan or on the mortgage of a property that you own, you will continue to be held legally responsible for those payments regardless of which spouse was ordered to pay that debt.

You Are Not Released from Your Debt Obligations for the Loan

It is important to realize even if the court says that your ex must pay for the car loan or for the mortgage; it does not release you from your obligation for that loan. The only thing that creditors care about is making you abide by the agreement that you originally signed with them.

Divorcing couples should try to pay off as much debt as possible before filing for a divorce. It is imperative to realize that if your ex was ordered to pay certain debts by the court but fails to do so; the creditor will not come after them if their name is not on the loan, and instead the creditor will come after you if you're the only one who signed the original agreement.

How Can You Protect Yourself If Your Ex Decides to Not Pay Their Share of the Debt?

So how do you protect yourself if your ex decides not to pay their share of the debts? Even if your ex decides not to pay their share you still have an obligation to pay the debt because you signed for it. Also, you will have to protect your credit rating because once the credit is ruined it can take some time to build it back up.

Consider Adding an Indemnity Clause to Your Divorce Settlement Agreement

One way to protect yourself is to have an indemnity clause added to your divorce settlement agreement during the negotiation phase. It is advisable to consult a divorce attorney in New York to determine how the indemnity clause should be phrased. The wording should be chosen carefully to convey that you can take your ex back to court for any money that you had to pay because of the loan going into default.

Add Refinancing Language in Your Final Divorce Decree

Another way to protect yourself is to be sure to include language in your final decree of divorce about refinancing the debt so that your name can be removed from the debt obligation. In addition, language in the divorce decree can also address what consequences your ex will face if they do not follow through with refinancing the property. There can also be a time frame specified in the decree that outlines by when refinancing must occur.

It is also important to be aware that although the judge may sign a final decree of divorce granting all of the agreed-upon terms, it does not guarantee that your ex will abide by it. It is smart to think about how you can protect yourself in these types of situations. One of the ways you can do this is to make sure that you are aware of all and any debt in your ex’s name, your name, or both of your names.

Things To Discuss With Your New York Divorce Attorney

Discuss the advantages of paying off as much debt as you can before filing for divorce. Talk to your divorce attorney about including an indemnity clause and refinance provisions to your divorce settlement agreement and determine what specific language will be necessary to achieve your ultimate goals.

Contact Sabra Law Group today to speak to an experienced divorce lawyer at (646) 472-7971.

How to Protect Your Children from Parental Conflict During Divorce

Divorcing couples may not agree on much but one thing that they can probably agree on is that they both want what is best for their children. Divorce is a very difficult and stressful time and children will feel the toll of divorce as well. The good news is there are some ways that you can protect your children from parental conflict during divorce.

If your children are old enough to understand what divorce really means, make sure that you are not getting into details with them about your frustrations with your ex. Even if you have teenage children and they ask you why you are angry with your ex; it is best not to vent to your children.

Just as you would not want your spouse to badmouth you to your children; it is best to have the same respect for your spouse as well. Children are very sensitive to their environment, and it is best to create a safe and healthy environment for them.

It is Best to Avoid Parental Alienation

Parental alienation happens when one parent influences a child into disengaging with the other parent, usually by speaking negatively about the other parent. The parent who is speaking negatively about the other parent may also refuse to coordinate time sharing and be uncooperative in the co-parenting process.

That is going to be extremely difficult on children because children want to be loved by both parents, they want to be accepted by both parents and they want to be loyal to both parents.

Parental alienation can also result in serious psychological and emotional issues that may impact your child custody case.

If you're struggling with divorce and need someone to talk to, reach out to a trusted friend or consider seeking the help of a qualified therapist or counselor.

Do Not Deny Parenting Time to Your Ex

No matter how old your children are children need both of their parents to be involved in their lives. It would not be fair to keep your children from the other parent. If you are trying to punish your ex by keeping them from their children, it also punishes your children. Children do not deserve to be placed in the middle of a parental battle.

Learn How to Effectively Communicate with Your Ex

Part of the co-parenting process is to be flexible. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to get along with your ex and ensure that your children are not impacted negatively by the divorce process. The are parenting courses available online where you can learn ways to effectively co-parent and there are co-parenting apps that both you and your ex can use to communicate about the children and share documents, events, and calendar all in one place. So look for resources and ways in which co-parenting can be made easier for you.

Speak to a Manhattan Divorce Mediator to Help with Parental Conflict

You do not have to figure it all out alone. Reach out to Sabra Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971.

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