Posted on December 22, 2014 in Family Law

In December of 2014 Maxine Weiss Kunz, founding member and partner of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, was accepted onto the development committee of The Lilac Tree. This wonderful organization is a resource for divorcing women in the process of divorce, contemplating divorce, or post-divorce.

The Lilac Tree offers help in many ways, including divorce workshops and seminars. These programs are available in the evenings and weekends, if necessary. The group is especially known for reducing stress during the divorce process. Reducing stress during a divorce, or for those contemplating divorce, or post divorce, is also a goal of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC.

The Lilac Tree also offers divorce Support Groups and referrals at no cost to other professionals, including without limitation accountants, financial planners, and collaborative professionals. Maxine Weiss Kunz is also a collaborative attorney which is how she first came to hear about the wonderful efforts of The Lilac Tree.

The Lilac Tree is most well known for its "Divorce University," a one day conference held a few times a year to educate its attendees on finances, child custody issues, and the like, as well as alternative dispute resolutions to a divorce. Some alternative dispute resolutions include mediation and/or collaborative law. Those that have attended Divorce University report feeling less alone, having a better understanding of their options in a divorce, and the importance of taking an active role in the divorce process.

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 Posted on December 19, 2014 in Marital Agreements

There is an assumption by many that premarital agreements, more commonly known as prenuptial agreements, are only necessary for the extremely wealthy, to preserve a inheritance, or for second marriages. This is not accurate. Especially with the new guideline maintenance laws coming into effect, premarital agreements are extremely important to protect against high maintenance (also known as alimony or spousal support) awards that could end up prejudicing the payor.

For example, starting in January 2015, if a court determines that an award of alimony is appropriate in your case, a husband or wife earning under $250,000 dollars per year could be liable for maintenance to their soon to be ex-spouse for 15 years or more. You could be liable for permanent maintenance. If your spouse does not work, you may end up paying them as much as 40% of your income. This is where a premarital agreement can protect you.

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