Tag: Divorce Process
What You Need to Know About Estate Planning Before, During, and After Divorce With Nancy Weissman (Ep.13)

What You Need to Know About Estate Planning Before, During, and After Divorce With Nancy Weissman (Ep.13)

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How can updating your estate plan make a crucial difference in your life post-divorce?   

Your estate plan can be a game-changer in ensuring your financial and emotional well-being.

Estate planning attorney Nancy Weissman delves into the complexities of updating estate plans amidst a divorce. She also discusses the practical steps for revising wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations to protect your assets and legacy. 

Key conversations include:

  • Understand the importance of revising estate planning documents, including wills and trusts, during and after a divorce  
  • Learn how Massachusetts laws, such as the ‘nisi period,’ can impact your estate planning decisions
  • Discover common pitfalls in trust and estate planning related to divorce and how to avoid them
  • Get expert guidance on managing beneficiary designations to align with your post-divorce financial goals
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Gabrielle Clemens: 

Connect with Nancy Weissman:

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Karen Argetsinger on Navigating Divorce With a Narcissist (Ep. 12)

Karen Argetsinger on Navigating Divorce With a Narcissist (Ep. 12)

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How do you navigate divorce effectively with a narcissistic spouse? 

Join Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner, and guest Karen Argetsinger, an attorney and divorce mediator, as they unravel strategies to empower you through divorce mediation, helping ensure a controlled and cooperative resolution.

Together, they share ways to help navigate this difficult terrain with strategies tailored for challenging personalities, including the innovative shuttle mediation approach. 

This episode provides actionable insights on divorce mediation, handling narcissistic spouses, and achieving peace through strategic planning!

Key talking points include:

  • The benefits of mediation over litigation, especially when dealing with narcissism
  • The effectiveness of shuttle mediation to maintain control and ensure a fair process
  • Real-life examples of resolving conflicts even in complex situations
  • Gaining confidence in setting up a supportive team to navigate challenging divorce dynamics
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Gabrielle Clemens: 

Connect with Karen Argetsinger:

About Our Guest:

Karen Argetsinger is a mediator and collaborative attorney concentrating her practice on Family, Probate, Health, Employment, and Elder Law. Karen has over 20 years of legal background which included law firm experience at Hale and Dorr, LLP (currently Wilmer Hale) and Warner & Stackpole, LLP (currently Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP) along with experience as a law clerk and independent consultant. She was a judicial intern for over a year with the United States District Court Magistrate, Honorable Judith Dein.

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Retirement Assets in Divorce (Ep. 7)

Retirement Assets in Divorce (Ep. 7)

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This week on Marriage Is About Love Divorce Is About Money®, Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner discusses the financial aspects of divorce, focusing on the division of retirement and non-retirement assets.

She emphasizes the importance of understanding tax implications and the processes involved in equalizing assets during a divorce, covering the distinction between marital and separate property, the complexities of qualified plans, and the necessary steps to ensure a fair division of assets.

Key Insights:

  • Retirement vs. Non-Retirement Assets: It’s essential to differentiate between retirement and non-retirement assets when dividing them in a divorce
  • Challenges of Commingling Assets: By keeping a clear record of pre-marital assets and working with your attorney, you can better identify what remains solely yours
  • IRA Transfers: A straightforward option for dividing retirement assets. A “Transfer Incident to Divorce” can move funds without tax penalties if enough is available in an IRA
  • Tax Planning in Divorce: When dividing retirement assets, be cautious of tax implications, especially if taking distributions before 59.5 years of age, as early withdrawals can trigger both income taxes and a 10% penalty
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Gabrielle Clemens: 

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Financial Vigilance For Strategic Divorce Planning (Ep. 5)

Financial Vigilance For Strategic Divorce Planning (Ep. 5)

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This week on Marriage Is About Love Divorce Is About Money®, Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner, reveals why divorce isn’t just a breakup — it’s a business deal that demands smart, strategic moves. 

Tune in as she shares essential steps to protect your financial future, from building a rock-solid plan to staying vigilant with your money. With her guidance, you’ll be equipped to navigate the twists and turns of divorce, ensuring a smooth transition into your next chapter.

Key Highlights:

  • Building Your Dream Team: Assemble a power squad of experts — attorney, financial advisor, therapist — who excel in their fields and communicate seamlessly to strengthen your case
  • Taking Control: Start fresh by opening your own bank accounts and credit cards, and consult with a CPA to explore tax filing strategies that protect you from future liabilities
  • Boosting Your Credit: Safeguard your financial future by monitoring and improving your credit score. This step is crucial as you transition into single life
  • Mapping Your Journey: Treat your divorce like a road trip. Whether you take the scenic route or the fast track, a clear strategy will keep you on course for a successful outcome
  • Stay Organized: Use tools like QuickBooks and Dropbox to keep your financial documents in order, ensuring a smooth transition into your new life
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Gabrielle Clemens: 

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Preparing For Divorce: Choosing the Right Attorney (Ep. 4)

Preparing For Divorce: Choosing the Right Attorney (Ep. 4)

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Don’t let the wrong attorney derail your divorce – learn how to choose the best advocate for your case.

Navigating the early stages of divorce can be overwhelming, but the right preparation can make all the difference. Join Gabrielle Clemens, JD, LLM, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Accredited Estate Planner, as she outlines essential steps for preparing for divorce, focusing on the pivotal role of choosing the right divorce attorney.

Key Highlights:

  • Summer Strategy: Discover how to use the quiet summer months to gather financial documents, reflect, and prepare for the busy divorce season ahead
  • Top Attorney Tips: Learn the secrets to finding a lawyer who truly champions your cause
  • Special Needs Focus: Ensure your attorney understands unique family dynamics. If you have special needs children, disabilities, or other specific circumstances, find out how to select an attorney experienced in these areas
  • Zealous Advocacy: Discover why having a lawyer who advocates zealously is crucial for a successful divorce outcome
  • Litigation Insights: Understand the complexities of the litigation process, from filing a complaint to the often costly and time-consuming nature of court decisions
  • Mediation Magic: Learn how mediation can be a faster, less stressful alternative to litigation, allowing you to address specific issues outside of court
  • Arbitration Uncovered: Find out how arbitration offers a quicker, more private resolution, with binding decisions made by a retired judge or attorney
  • Winning Advice: Discover the importance of having an attorney who has the time for your case and is open to alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Gabrielle Clemens: 

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Here’s How To Navigate Divorce (Ep. 2)

Here’s How To Navigate Divorce (Ep. 2)

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Do you know the secret to managing both your heart and your wallet in a divorce?

Explore the multifaceted world of divorce with Gabrielle Clemens. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and a former divorce tax attorney, Gabrielle blends her personal divorce experience with her professional expertise, offering unique insights. This episode, based on Gabrielle’s book, is full of financial guidance and emotional wisdom for those navigating through divorce.

Key Episode Insights:

  • Emotional and Financial Readiness: Exploring the emotional intricacies of divorce, with a focus on proactive, future-oriented thinking
  • Essential Support Team: The importance of a comprehensive team – lawyers, financial advisors, and therapists – in facilitating a smoother divorce
  • Divorce Support Groups: Highlighting the benefits of peer support and shared experiences in divorce support groups
  • Holistic Professional Support: Discussing the diverse roles and contributions of divorce coaches, CDFAs, therapists, and attorneys in the divorce process
  • Financial Planning and Organization: Emphasizing the need for efficient financial management, recommending tools like Quicken and Dropbox
  • Empowerment Through Financial Management: Inspiring listeners to take control of their finances for a more empowered approach to divorce
  • Upcoming Episodes and Resources: Future episodes promise insights into selecting the right attorney and more!

Resources:

Connect with Gabrielle Clemens: 

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The Business Side Of Divorce With Your Host, Gabrielle Clemens, CDFA® (Ep. 1)

The Business Side Of Divorce With Your Host, Gabrielle Clemens, CDFA® (Ep. 1)

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Think divorce is just a personal matter? 

In the inaugural episode of the Marriage Is About Love Divorce Is About Money® Podcast, Gabrielle Clemens explores the lesser-known business side of divorce. 

As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), former divorce and tax attorney, and author of the book “Marriage Is About Love Divorce Is About Money®,” Gabrielle unfolds the layers, presenting a blend of personal insights and professional expertise.

Key Episode Insights:

  • Divorce as a Business Necessity: Emphasizing the need for information and preparation
  • Legal Complexities: The influence of state laws in family law, alimony, and child support
  • Strategic Approaches: Ways Gabrielle’s book, “Marriage Is About Love Divorce Is About Money®,” offers cooperative divorce strategies
  • Educational Focus: Highlighting Gabrielle’s book as a vital guide for those navigating divorce
  • Emotion vs. Rationality: The need to focus on rational decision-making
  • Judicial Limitations: Advocating for mediation over court decisions
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Gabrielle Clemens: 

About Your Host:

Gabrielle Clemens is an award-winning Managing Director, Wealth Advisor, and Senior Portfolio Manager with over 25 years of experience in wealth management and divorce planning. She’s a former tax/ trust/estate planning/divorce attorney who has experienced divorce firsthand. 

Gabrielle guides women and men through her unique process as they contemplate, navigate, and recover from divorce. Gabrielle has consistently been named Wealth Management, “#1 Top Woman to Watch ” by AdvisorHub, Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor, Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisory, Working Mother magazine Top Women Wealth Advisor, and Top Woman of Law. 

Gabrielle works in concert with attorneys, accountants, trustees, mediators, and collaborative professionals to provide clarity and transparency around critical financial issues. She focuses on helping people navigate through life’s financial transitions, including the death of a spouse, cognitive decline, special needs, and disability.

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