April15th is closer than you think and soon it will be time to prepare your taxes for 2010. If you separated from your spouse, or filed for or finalized your divorce there are a few things you need to be aware of when it comes time to file your taxes.
When it comes to getting a divorce many of us have regrets not necessarily about the divorce but, the financial decisions we make in anger or haste to just get it all over with.
After spending years with someone else, parts of your life become entwined with your significant other-- finances, belongings, and children, not to mention you're self.
Today couples face the reality of foreclosure, short sales and houses that sit for a year or more. What do they do? Lose their shirt and sell well under value, if at all? Or, continue to live with their soon to be ex spouse, potentially with children in tow until things look up? Tough call and a decision I was glad not to have to make.
If you are preparing for divorce, determining a pre-divorce budget is essential.
Desperate times call for desperate measures--like living with your ex because you can't afford not to. Today's economy has taken its toll on the best of us, leaving some couples unable to physically separate for financial reasons. So how do you make it work?
I've read so many articles and statistics about how parental discord and separation affects a child. To me, the news was not good.
While spousal support is sometimes viewed as punishment for the spouse paying support, it is important to remember it is to help the other maintain their standard of living. Divorce can often result in financial ruin for one or both spouses.
So what does discipline have to do with finances? Being financially responsible is a skill all children need as they make their journey to adulthood. Unfortunately, many parents struggle themselves when it comes to applying discipline to their finances.
Let's face it when you are going through a divorce you are not thinking about Uncle Sam, he isn't even on the radar. However, when things settle down it's important for you to take some time to understand your new tax situation particularly if you have kids.
Changing your name marks a new beginning or a return to the former you; it may not only make you feel better, it may give you a much needed fresh start.
Debt. As you face the many challenges after a divorce you may be left with this four letter word. Many of us are panic stricken and think we have to file for bankruptcy to get out of it. Debt may have been the cause of your divorce, a catalyst, or just the result of the financial strain divorce places on your budget.
The good news is that there are smarter and better ways to deal with divorce in times of financial distress. It may not be what you want, but it may help keep you and your ex-spouse from drowning in debt.
You have a divorce agreement, it clearly states you are responsible for three of your joint credit card accounts and your ex is responsible for the other three, case closed, right?
When you borrow money from a bank, credit card, or other institution, and you sign and agree to jointly and individually be liable for that debt, that's between you and the bank. You're responsible for the entire balance. 100%. The entire enchilada! You get the idea.
One thing I dread about the start of school is making school lunches. I get into ruts for what I make for my kids: peanut butter sandwiches, fruit, chocolate milk, dessert. Snack in the outside pocket of their lunch box. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I can understand why my son wants to buy lunch as much as possible. This year I am going to try some new ideas and creations and try to entice my son away from buying the school lunches, which are loaded with calories and unhealthy fat.
No one said it was going to be easy financially after a divorce, and by now you may be figuring out that it's downright difficult!
Many things will be changing with your finances as you go through your divorce and for years to come. To better prepare yourself for your future it's important to take steps to save for retirement, emergencies, and goals you may have. Saving is an intricate piece of your financial puzzle and needs to be re-evaluated post divorce.
Sticking to a budget takes work and sometimes we are to distraught, busy, or simply don't know how to stick to the budget we created.
Deciding to sell your marital home is a difficult choice for many; you may have built the home, raised your children there, and most importantly created memories that are hard to say good bye too. Even after making the difficult decision to part with the home in some cases it isn't even possible without facing huge hurdles and financial strain.
As you start your new life as a single you want to have a clean slate, emotionally and financially. Hopefully your divorce settlement left you with enough funds and assets to establish a home for yourself and your children, if they are still living with you.
Going through a divorce is certainly financially draining, but it can also cause severe emotional distress.
It can be difficult to be thankful when your world is turned upside down. For many of us this year has been a difficult one, myself included.
However, if your situation is anything like mine, you may be able to self-represent your case. It's not as difficult as it sounds once you understand the right steps to take, and it can save you a ton of cash.
Most people haven't the slightest idea where to find help or the answers they need regarding credit card debt and how it may affect their credit report following a divorce.