May, 2011 | Pennsylvania Family Law Blog - The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz Archive
Complications Surrounding Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver Separation
Recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced their separation after 25 years of marriage, following Schwarzenegger’s admission that he had a child with his former housekeeper 10 years ago, reports The Huffington Post.
While it remains to be seen whether the couple will divorce, several questions have been raised, including whether or not there was a pre-nuptial agreement before their union. The couple’s net worth is valued at over $500 million, and under California law, assets acquired during their marriage would be split 50-50, meaning Shriver stands to gain at least $200 million if they divorce. Read the rest »
New Census Data Finds Divorce in U.S. Declining, But “Seven-Year Itch” Persists
Recently released data from the Census Bureau shows that divorces in the United States have leveled off slightly after decades of increase, with couples now somewhat more likely to reach 10 years of marriage. However, the “seven-year itch,” the trend of couples divorcing after seven years of marriage, was found to have carried on, reports ABC News. The new data finds that almost one out of every two first marriages is estimated to end in divorce, with about 46 percent of marriages not lasting until their 25th wedding anniversary.
The data is based upon the most recent figures from the Survey of Income and Program Participation, conducted by the Census Bureau, which surveyed 55,497 adults who have been or are married. According to the data, about 75 percent of people who have been married since 1990 reported they had been married for 10 years, which is an increase of about three percent for people who were married in the 1980s, when divorce rates peaked in the U.S. Divorce rates were the highest in the 1960s and 1970s, after laws were passed that made it easier to divorce. Read the rest »
Why Pennsylvania Couples Should Consider a Pre-Marital Agreement
A pre-marital agreement in Pennsylvania is a contract that clarifies what will happen to certain assets and what each party may or may not receive in the event of a divorce. Although many people shy away from pre-marital agreements; which are often referred to as pre-nuptial agreements or prenups; making such an agreement doesn’t mean you love your partner any less. A recent Huffington Post article offered several reasons why you and your partner or future spouse should consider entering into a Pennsylvania pre-marital agreement, including:
- Getting to know how your spouse handles money. From a business perspective, a marriage is about combining your assets with another person’s – much like partners who go into business together. Just like business partners, you and your partner can learn a great deal about what matters and how you each handle money by talking through money matters you want (or do not want) to cover in a prenup. Read the rest »
What are Maintenance Payments in Pennsylvania and Who Receives Them?
Spousal maintenance payments, also known as alimony, are payments that a spouse who made most or all of the couple’s income makes to the other spouse, who made little or none of the couple’s income. Temporary maintenance payments are intended to help a party who has little education or job prospects live until they can complete an education or find a job.
Not all divorces in Pennsylvania will include maintenance payments. In cases where both parties are employed or have a good education, the court may not order maintenance payments, instead allowing each party to go on living on their own wages. Read the rest »
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