Engagement rings can be complicated. During happy times, an engagement ring represents love, commitment and the promise of a happily ever after. But that same ring sometimes becomes a symbol of broken hearts and promises—and an expensive item to argue over in the event of separation. People fight for engagement rings for all sorts of reasons: as a reminder of a happier time, as a valuable asset that can be easily sold or because the ring is a family heirloom. Like I said: complicated. The law doesn’t always take account of those complications—which is why many couples today are making their own agreement about what to do with the ring if things don’t work out.
Read morePet Custody and Divorce Mediation
Like so many New Yorkers, married couples are often deeply devoted to their pets. One recent study even found that “most pet owners would not trade their pets for even $1 million in cash”. Couples facing divorce often find themselves spending considerable sums asking courts to decide who will take custody of a pet. But there is no guarantee that, in doing so, the court will take into account the deep emotional connection most of us feel to our pets.
Read moreIn Divorce, Equitable Doesn’t Mean Equal
I just read a decision that caught my eye and hasn’t let go—for both good and bad reasons. This case, D.C. v. P.C., demonstrates one of the legal principles my clients often find surprising—that, when it comes to dividing assets in a divorce, doing so “equitably” doesn’t always mean “equally”—and shows how important it can be to work with divorce professionals who can help families avoid unpredictable outcomes in court.
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