Yes, alimony is taxable. This principle is well-established, but the rules change frequently. In the early 1970s, when the divorce rate went through the roof, many people avoided paying taxes on alimony by classifying it as a “property settlement.” The IRS quickly closed that loophole, and most states closed it as well. Then, from 1975…
Legal separation vs divorce is a personal choice, just like marriage vs. cohabitation is a personal choice. No one, least of all a family law attorney, can tell you which choice is “best.” However, an attorney can lay out the pros and cons of each choice, which is what we’ll do in this post. As…
A parent without legal custody has child visitation rights, at least in most cases. That’s the short answer to what rights does a parent without legal custody have? Many parents make bad decisions about their own lives, as well as their childrens’ lives. The judge awards limited or no legal custody (power to make decisions…
The difference between legal custody vs physical custody is simple. Legal custody is the right to make decisions about a child’s health, education, welfare, and other such issues. Physical custody is the child’s physical location (where the child lives). Court orders always designate a primary legal and physical custodian. Usually, the same parent has primary…
Back in the joint custody era, which lasted from about 1970 to 2010, sole legal custody arrangements were rather common. In those days, children “lived with” one parent and “visited” the other parent. So, a sole legal custody order was basically a limited visitation custody order. Beginning around 2010, most states passed co-parenting laws. The…