In March 2012 Joe Caldwell and Jacqui Spencer have a child. Seventeen months later Jacqui and the toddler move in with Philip Jaurigue. For the next several years the child lives primarily with Jacqui and Phil. Then Jacqui dies in 2019. The child at this time begins to live primarily with her father (Caldwell). But
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Your Girlfriend from the 1980s is Grateful for Your Million Dollars.
By Mark Ashton
It is no secret that a lot of people in America are living alone and while many have been in one or more serious relationships those never culminated in marriage. Meanwhile, these people accumulate assets but often don’t pay enough attention to what will become of them if the Grim Reaper comes for an early…
Are Mortgage Rates and High Rents the Catalyst to “Quiet Quitting?”
By Mark Ashton
We have been reading recently about a new life phenomenon called “quiet quitting.” Essentially the concept is that one or both spouses are done with the relationship but neither has the energy or the resources to move on through a separation and divorce. The response that instantly comes to a lawyer’s mind is: this is…
Evaluating Custody Disputes Through Your Child’s Eyes.
By Mark Ashton
Lawyers are a jaundiced lot. Law school is a three year exercise in anticipating what can go wrong whether in a trial or a transaction. The lawyer’s job is to anticipate, and course correct to protect the client. Napoleon is credited with saying the law sharpens the mind only to narrow it.
So, lawyers can…
Managing Das Haus in a Second Marriage Estate Plan
By Mark Ashton
So, you have remarried. Perhaps it has been 30 months; maybe 30 years. When you got together the guy/girl moved into your crib. It’s always been titled in your name and it’s the house you got in your divorce from No. 1. Now you are 60, 65, 70 or whatever and you find yourself in…
Did the FTC Just Mess with Your Business Valuation?
By Mark Ashton
Many family law practitioners and not a few business owners probably never heard of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A once active part of the business regulatory environment, the agency was placed on sedatives during the Reagan administration and didn’t have much to contribute during the Clinton and Obama years.
Under Biden, the meds were…
“Your door is ajar….and are You Chill with that Airtag in Your Trunk?”
By Mark Ashton
The local news today informs us that one of our neighbors in and around Philadelphia was arrested after he may have followed up on an internet date by putting a tracking device in the car of his love interest. When the woman returned from a vacation she found her electrical system at home had been…
The Bucket List: Understanding Marginal Tax Rates
By Mark Ashton
We have been reading lots of literature about withdrawing funds from tax advantaged accounts like 529 Savings Plans, 401(k)s and IRAs and these articles casually mention the taxes imposed when those accounts are tapped prematurely or for a non-authorized purpose. Two recent reporting events accentuate how important it is for taxpayers to understand these transactions.…
Trump Trial 2 (Maybe 3): It’s Not Like Family Law
By Mark Ashton
The world knows that today was closing argument day in the Trump criminal trial associated with the payments made to Stephanie Clifford in connection with her claims of a sexual relationship with former President Trump.
This trial began on April 22 and concluded either today or a week ago depending on how you look at…
Zombie Mortgages: It’s the Time of the Season When Debt Gets High.
By Mark Ashton
As Spring came this year, the news was filled with reports that we would see an especially large crop of ciccadas this year as the 13 year brood is coming at the same time as their 17 year cousins. But it isn’t just insects emerging this year as we learn of the mortgage industry’s version…