Archives: Property Division

Most Expensive Divorce in History

Published: Tuesday, May 20th, 2014

Large cases are generally easier to settle than smaller ones. For one, both sides have a lot to lose. Fear can do wonders to promote compromise.

Equitable Distribution in Property Division

Published: Friday, March 28th, 2014

“Getting it right” meant ruling that only gifts and inheritances, whenever received, are exempt.

Jail for Hiding Assets

Published: Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Too often, white collar criminals get off with probation and restitution under the theory that if they go to jail, the victims will not be recompensed.

Business Divorces

Published: Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

My friend Sandy Swartzberg and I thought it might be interesting to co-write an article on the business divorce.

Valuing a Business in Divorce

Published: Wednesday, January 1st, 2014

Valuing a marital estate and determining property division and spousal support in a divorce requires extra care when one of the spouses owns a business. Extra care is needed to protect the livelihood of the business owner and to ensure the non-business-owning spouse receives a fair share.

Federal Preemption in Divorce Cases

Published: Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

Does federal law preempt state law when the state revokes a life insurance policy designation upon divorce? SCOTUS says yes.

Life Insurance and The U.S. Supreme Court

Published: Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

It is rare that the U.S. Supreme Court rules on issues in family law, but one exception is for employment benefits. On Monday, the high court heard oral arguments in Hillman v. Maretta, Case No. 11-1221.  According to the court’s summary, the husband died before changing beneficiaries on a life insurance policy from his first […]

Court of Appeals Decision Creates Family Law Problems

Published: Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

At first blush, a recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision in Montalvo v. U.S. Title and Closing Services doesn’t appear to affect family law cases at all, but it does.

CLE Seminar: Tax and Tax Fraud Issues in Family Law

Published: Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

On January 11, 2013, I will be speaking with CPA Al Dassow of Clifton Gunderson LLP, Middleton on “Tax and Tax Fraud Issues in Family Law.”

Disability Payments, a Bitter Ex and Lessons Learned

Published: Tuesday, September 25th, 2012

Some times the lessons from caselaw could not be more obvious. A recent decision from the Wisconsin Court of Appeals provides such a teachable moment.