Prenuptial

How Long Should You Be Engaged to Someone Before Getting Married?

There are no set time limits on how long you should date someone before getting engaged or how long you should be engaged before marriage. The one important factor to remember is that the length of time you spend with someone determines how well you get to know them. The longer you know someone, it gives you the opportunity to see them in multiple situations; good or bad.

Furthermore, it allows you to see how they handle stress, and it gives you a gauge for determining if they are being genuine with you or putting on an act.

According to The Knot Publication, an average engagement is about 14.5 months. This number indicates that the couple has enough time to plan a wedding while handling day-to-day obligations such as their work and family.

Another study conducted by Emory University in 2015, found some interesting statistics:

Waiting one to two years significantly drops the likelihood of divorce by 20%
Waiting three or more years drops the likelihood of divorce even more by 50%

It is reasonable to conclude from this study that the longer a couple dates before marriage, the higher the likelihood of a successful marriage.

While you are in the engagement stage, it is also advisable to ask your fiancée various questions that will help you determine compatibility as well as if you have common life goals.

Some Questions to Ask Each Other:

Do you want kids?
How many kids do you want?
What city will we live in once married?
What religion will the children be raised as?
How will the finances be handled?
Who will take care of the kids and who will be the breadwinner
Will you still keep separate bank accounts or will everything become a joint account?
What are your non-negotiables?
Where you see yourself 5-7 years from now?
Will you make time for your spouse and prioritize them or will your career/work come first?
Will there be a Prenuptial Agreement?

Getting Married? Need Assistance with a Prenup?

If you are engaged or plan on getting engaged soon, you might want to consider a prenuptial agreement to protect yourself and your assets. For more information, contact Sabra Law Group today at (646) 472-7971 for a confidential consultation.

The Pro’s and Con’s of Moving in Together Before Marriage

There are so many different views on moving in together before marriage. Some people believe it’s not a good idea to live together before marriage, whereas; others are not opposed to it. Making a decision to move in together before marriage is just as big of a decision as making the commitment to your partner.

Let’s Consider Some of the Benefits of Moving in Together Before Marriage

The shared expense for rent or perhaps no rent depending on the situation: when you’re living separately, both of you are paying rent or a mortgage. From a financial perspective, living together makes sense.
The Good, the bad, and the ugly: when you live with someone you will really see them for who they really are. With that comes the good, the bad, and the ugly. So you really get to see who they really are before deciding to tie the know, and it may actually save you from getting a divorce in the future by getting out before it’s too late.
You will learn if you can tolerate each other 24/7: dating is very different from living together. You can date someone yet not know the real person. When you’re living with someone, it is difficult to hide everything.
You can have more fun together doing everyday things such as cooking together, gardening or playing board games.

There Are Also Some Disadvantages of Living Together

If they are getting everything without putting a ring on it, they may never put a ring on it. Even if you’re already engaged prior to living together, the marriage may take longer to happen.
Domestic chores take the fun out of living together.
If finances are not discussed in advance, living together can cause stress and arguments over finances. On the other hand, living together may force the issue, and you can see if the two of you can work out your differences.
It may lessen the excitement of getting married. The only difference in your relationship when you get married will be the rings and the marriage license.

There are certainly both advantages and disadvantages of living together. The most important thing to consider is to do what feels right for you. There is no right or wrong answer. If you have questions regarding prenuptial agreements, or how to discuss finances (and other challenging topics) with your future spouse, contact Sabra Law Group today at (646) 472-7971.

How to Get Comfortable Talking About Money Matters with Your Future Spouse

One of the most common reasons that marriages end in divorce is due to money or financial matters. The more comfortable you can be at the beginning of a relationship discussing money; the better it will be for sustaining a healthy relationship.

If you are uncomfortable discussing finances with your future spouse, it is best to start with baby steps. If you are planning on getting married, finances are of primary importance to be discussed prior to marriage.

Below Are Some Steps You Can Take to Get Over Your Anxiety When It Comes to Discussing Finances

Make a List: write down all the important issues that need to be discussed and then write down what your desired outcome is.
Figure Out the Living Arrangements: determine who will pay for rent or the mortgage and if living expenses will be shared equally or not.
Don’t Discuss All the Finances in One Meeting: pick one aspect of finances to discuss and come to an agreement on that before moving on to the next topic. By approaching the situation in a systematic way, it will eliminate confusion and conflict. Once you have tackled a difficult topic, set up another day to discuss the next topic.
Consult with a Financial Planner: a financial planner may be able to best guide you on how to maximize your money and grow it. They may also be able to advise you on investment vehicles that are aligned with your comfort level.
Determine if a Prenup is Necessary: have a candid discussion prior to getting married about a Prenuptial Agreement and whether it makes sense to have one. If you and your partner are not sure if a Prenuptial Agreement is right for you or why you would consider having one, read our blog article about that here and here and consult an experienced New York Prenup Attorney who can help you to understand whether a Prenup is appropriate for you and your partner.

Couples who communicate openly with each other are more likely to stay together. This is why it is important to discuss even the most difficult topics. Furthermore, once you have had this conversation a few times, it will become easier to have these types of conversations in the future.

Do You Have Questions About Money Matters or Prenuptial Agreements?

Contact Sabra Law Group today for a confidential consultation at (646) 472-7971. Sabra has years of experience helping couples setting up the right type of Prenup for their lifestyle. Call her now ar 646-472-7971.

How the New Tax Law May Impact Pre-existing Prenuptial Agreements in New York

A recent change in federal tax law may bring an unpleasant surprise to certain New Yorkers. With the signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, couples who divorce after 2018 may find that the terms of their prenuptial agreement aren't quite what they expected them to be.

Prenuptial agreements in New York are much like similar agreements signed in other states. Couples enter into these contracts before getting married in order to protect certain assets and to ensure both parties a more equitable distribution of assets should their union end in divorce. Frequently, these agreements are the result of careful consideration on both sides. Each party understands whether or not spousal support will be received. Moreover, stipulations regarding how much money will be paid in spousal support and how long the payments will go on may be part of the contract.

Under earlier tax laws, the former spouse who had to pay spousal support could deduct the expense from their income, thereby lowering their overall tax liability and the party receiving the spousal support had to declare the payments as taxable income. This significantly reduced the out-of-pocket amount for the payor spouse.

The new law states that spousal support payments are no longer tax deductible by the payor spouse. Additionally, the recipient no longer has to claim spousal support payments as taxable income. The result is that the payor spouse loses far more money out of pocket and that the receiving spouse gets a much larger amount of money than they were expecting.

This new law applies to all existing prenuptial agreements. Accordingly, couples who legally separate or divorce after 2018 will find that their contracts will not be honored as they are written. Instead, they will be subject to the new tax code, and that could significantly impact the financial picture of both parties.

Whether you and your spouse are happily married or considering divorce or separation, now is the perfect time to negotiate a postnuptial agreement. With mediation in New York, it is easy to draft new terms that amend those in the prenuptial agreement. Doing so now may save many headaches (and expense) in the future.

Mediation in New York is just one way to arrive at a mutually beneficial postnuptial agreement. If you'd like to know more about postnuptial and prenuptial agreements in New York, call Sabra Law Group at 646-472-7971 to schedule a consultation. With the help of a qualified legal professional, these matters can be resolved efficiently and amicably.

Manhattan Prenup Attorney Provides Practical Tips on What You Can Do to Protect Your Inheritance from Division in a Divorce

When people get divorced, one of the first steps toward determining the outcome in a divorce is to identify assets that are marital assets and those that are separate property assets. The New York statutes define inheritance as a separate property. However, there are various exceptions to this general rule. Accordingly, it is advisable to get informed and to take certain precautions if one would like to protect their inheritance assets from being subject to division in the event of divorce. Inheritance assets can include money, fine art, vacation homes, rare collections or even gifts from a former partner.

3 Tips to Protect Your Inheritance in a Divorce

Get a Prenup Agreement Before the Marriage: a Prenup can help protect your inheritance whether it pertains to real estate investments, rare art collections or family heirlooms. More and more couples are getting a Prenup just as one would get an insurance policy. It is a “just in case” instead of later having to face losing precious assets and even family heirlooms.

Savvy couples today realize that just because they are getting a Prenup it does not mean that their marriage will not last, but they are being sensible about the ramifications that could follow in the event that a marriage does not work out.

If you are not sure if a Prenup is the right option for you, it is best to consult an experienced Manhattan Prenup Attorney and get answers to all of your questions. Simply consulting with a Prenup attorney does not obligate you to get a Prenup, however, it does give you the knowledge you need in order to make a well-informed decision pertaining to your future and your financial welfare.

Keep Important Documents in a Safe Place: if you have paperwork that spells out what you will be inheriting or what assets you have acquired prior to your marriage – it is advisable to keep them in a safe spot such as a safe deposit box. This ensures that in the event of a robbery, fire or natural disaster, you will have quick and easy access to legal documents that substantiate what truly belongs to you.

Consult a Trust Advisor: consider getting a trust to safeguard your assets and to have full control of what your children will get in the event that something happens to you or your spouse. An experienced trust advisor can counsel you on the best type of trust that fits your needs.

Maintain Separate Bank Accounts: even though you may think it is a good idea to merge all of your bank accounts, it is best to keep your personal account as a separate account. It is ok to have a joint account with your spouse; however, you may also want to have a separate account to protect your earnings and any assets that belong solely to you.

Questions About Protecting Your Inheritance? Consult a Manhattan Prenup Attorney Today

Contact the Sabra Law Group today at (646) 472-7971 for a confidential consultation.

New York Divorce Lawyer Explains Why You Should Discuss How to Handle Debt After the Separation

Divorce is undoubtedly a stressful time, however, it is important to handle all aspects of a separation including how to handle debt after a separation.

Don’t Delay in Handling Shared Accounts

Keep in mind that any accounts that you have that are shared with your spouse such as credit cards, joint bank accounts, and mortgages may negatively impact your credit if your spouse fails to make on-time payments or stops making payments altogether. The best way to protect yourself is to contact the issuer of the joint accounts and have the accounts closed or separated.

In most states, the mortgage is usually given to the spouse that has to take care of the children, however, laws may vary from state to state as well as any unique circumstances. A reasonable solution to handling the mortgage portion of the separation is to sell the property, pay off the mortgage and split any remaining sale proceeds.

Watch Your Finances

In order to build your individual credit and maintain or increase your credit score, make it a point to check your credit score on a monthly basis. By checking your credit, you ensure that there are not any inappropriate marks on your score that may have been placed in error. Furthermore, it helps detect identity theft early on so you can prevent it from turning into a bigger problem. Keep in mind that your soon to be ex-spouse has access to private information such as your social security number, bank account info, and perhaps even credit card numbers. It is better to be more cautious than have to deal with a bigger problem in the end.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Since going through a divorce means that you will no longer have a dual-income or joint accounts, it is wise to determine the right budget for your lifestyle. The first priority will be to calculate the needs of the children from the most basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, car insurance, health insurance and any tuition for children’s schooling (if applicable) as well as any additional expenses such as after school activities, tutoring, and other expenses for the children. Knowing these will be helpful in determining the full amount of child support that will need to be determined.

Consult a New York Divorce Lawyer for Assistance

If you need help with division of assets or financial accounts, it is best to consult a savvy divorce attorney who can guide you in the right direction. Contact Sabra Law Group today to learn more about how we can help you prepare for all aspects of divorce at (626) 472-7971 and to schedule a consultation.

Manhattan Prenup Attorney Explains Benefits of a Prenup When Going Through a Divorce

What is a Prenuptial Agreement

You may also hear prenuptial agreements referred to as a prenup, and they tend to get the most attention as a part of celebrity divorces. Even though prenups are most typically associated with rich or famous couples, they are becoming more and more popular as an invaluable tool for couples in all ranges of financial situations and circumstances.

Prenups help to establish which spouse will take care of certain financial obligations in the event of divorce. They also arrange which spouse will be entitled to certain benefits, which will depend on the relative financial status of the parties at the time they are married.

A prenuptial agreement is also beneficial to clearly define one’s intent relating to anticipated inheritance that might be used during the marriage. Other circumstances where prenuptial agreements are beneficial are where one of the parties was previously married, or if there are children from prior relationships.

Overall, a prenuptial agreement is a way for engaged couples to get clear about the finances of the other, understand the assets and debts that exist prior to marriage, consider how they will manage finances during the marriage, and are also a way to financially provide for each other in the event that the unthinkable happens, if the marriage does not work out.

Why are Prenups so Helpful in Divorce?

As you can see, before you even get to the point of divorce, prenups can be a useful tool for couples to be open about their finances before marriage. They can make sure that each partner is on the same page regarding the current financial obligations. And, if there is clarity and open conversation about money and finances prior to marriage, it will likely make those “tough” conversations easier to navigate during marriage.

If, however, you have to go through the unfortunate experience of a divorce, a prenup can eliminate unnecessary stress from not knowing how your finances will be addressed. The more that you and your spouse are able to agree on without involving a judge, the more control you will have over the outcome of your circumstances and the less legal expense will be incurred to resolve those issues.

In addition, having a prenup in place allows you to focus more intently on co-parenting decisions that will have to be made about your children, if any. By eliminating the potential for endless litigation over how finances, assets and debts will be shared and divided, you and your spouse can get straight to deciding on how you will address the way that you want to co-parent, if there are children from the marriage. And, if there are no children, a prenuptial agreement will streamline the resolution of divorce terms.

If you decide to go through the mediation process in New York to finalize your divorce, having a prenup in place can significantly speed up the resolution of your divorce. This will also cut down on legal fees that you would otherwise have to pay to decide on important financial matters.

Quality Representation in Getting a Prenup in New York

If you are looking for a seasoned attorney to assist you with the process of signing a prenup or starting the mediation process in New York for a divorce, contact Attorney Sabra Sasson of the Sabra Law Group at 646-472-7971.

And, if you want to learn more about prenups, Sabra Sasson Esq is the speaker on a webinar taking place on November 30, 2016. You can sign up for FREE here at bit.ly/savvyprenup.

How is Division of Marital Property Handled in New York

Marital property is usually any property that is acquired from the date of marriage such as assets and debts, earned income, as well as property that is titled in both parties’ names after marriage. Even property that is acquired after marriage and that is not titled in both parties’ names is considered marital property.

In the event of a divorce, marital property is subject to equitable division as specified by New York state law. To be clear, equitable division does not necessarily mean that the property is divided equally 50/50. The best way to “opt out” of New York states statues is to have a New York Prenup attorney assist you with drafting a prenuptial agreement that details how property would be divided in the event of a divorce.

Division of Marital Property in New York

In the state of New York, the court will evaluate every asset as well as debt of the marriage against the factors that are set forth in the Domestic Relations Law Section 236 (B). Which includes:

Income and property of each party at time of marriage; and at commencement of the action
Duration of parties’ marriage as well as their age and health factors
The need to occupy or own the marital residence
Loss of either party of inheritance & pension right upon dissolution of marriage
Award of maintenance under Domestic Relations Law Section 236(B)(6)
An equitable claim, interest, or any contribution made to the acquisition of marital property by the party not having title (including joint efforts, expenses, & contributions)
Liquid or non-liquid character of all marital property
Probable future financial circumstances of both parties
Impossibility or difficulty of evaluating any interest in a business, company, and retaining such interest or asset free from any claim or interference by any other parties
Tax consequences of both parties
Wasteful dissipation of marital property by either property
Transfer or encumbrance of marital property by either party
Any other factors that the parties may find just and proper

It can be difficult to evaluate property and even more difficult to determine a fair distribution and division of marital assets and debts.

For more information on how division of marital property is handled in New York, contact Sabra Law Group today at (646) 472-7971 and schedule a discovery session right away.

New York Prenup Attorney Discusses Temporary Spousal Support

Spousal maintenance (also commonly known as alimony or spousal support) is monetary support that is paid by one spouse to the other spouse during or after divorce. It is possible for the court to order one spouse to pay the other spouse a specified sum for a certain period of time.

Back in the day, it was common that the court would order the ex-husband to pay their ex-wife alimony in divorce cases, however, times have now changed and currently either spouse can be ordered by the court to pay support to the other person.

The thought process behind spousal maintenance is to obligate one spouse to pay the other spouse until that spouse is able to support themselves financially. Usually, the support is temporary unless there are extenuating circumstances such as illness.

The state of New York temporary spousal support statute has a 2-step formula that the courts apply during a contested divorce when the income of the spouses is disparate. When the Court applies the formula, it may be determined that the higher earning spouse has to pay support to the lower income spouse during the pendency of the divorce. In addition, the court may award legal fees to be paid by higher income spouse to the attorneys for the lower income spouse. The intent of the temporary spousal support statute is to create an equal playing field for both spouses so that the lower income spouse will not have a reason to drag out the divorce.

In a prenuptial agreement, both parties can, if they choose, agree to waive any claims of spousal support from each other. They are also able to create their own formula for determining spousal support as long as they take the duration of the support and financial amount into consideration.

Contact a New York Prenup Attorney to Learn More About Temporary Spousal Support

Contact the Sabra Law Group today to learn more about spousal support and the formula used to calculate temporary spousal support at (646) 472-7971.

Manhattan Prenup Attorney Discusses What Issues Are Covered in Prenuptial Agreements

One of the most common questions that engaged couples have is: “What does a Prenup cover and why is it important to have a Prenuptial agreement?”

The main purpose of prenuptial agreements is to focus on the financial issues of a marriage and to protect assets that were acquired prior to coming into a marriage.

Some financial issues that are an important issue are:

Identification of Separate Property
Identification of Marital Property
How Marital Property will be divided in a divorce
Waiver of Maintenance
Spousal Maintenance (includes both temporary and durational maintenance)

Another important aspect of prenuptial agreements is that they can memorialize “break-up” procedures which includes:

The time period that the prenuptial agreement comes into play
Who will move out of the primary marital household and what the time frame is
Procedures for selling real estate property (including the marital residence)
Decisions to resolve issues with divorce in mediation

Additional issues involve estate or confidentiality:

Spousal election: either consent to this right, waive it, or make up your own rules regarding distribution of wealth upon death
Determining if the contents of the prenuptial agreement should be restricted except for certain professionals such as financial advisors and attorneys

When couples enter into a prenuptial agreement, they agree to full disclosure of all assets and debts. Usually, a detailed schedule is attached to the prenuptial agreement which sets forth the assets and debts of both parties.

One of the most essential steps in the Prenup process is for both parties to have a clear understanding of the others’ assets and debts; at that point, they can determine what will be defined as separate property vs. marital property after marriage.

There are many different financial issues that are covered in a Prenup agreement, it is best to consult with an experienced Prenup attorney to determine what course of action would be best for your personal situation.

Consult with an Experienced Manhattan Prenup Attorney for More Information

For more information on what is covered in prenuptial agreements, consult with a Manhattan Prenup Attorney today. Contact the Sabra Law Group today to speak with an experienced Manhattan Prenup Attorney at (646) 472-7971.

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