Articles by Jonathan M. Dana

As in everything we do in this area of the law, PREPARATION is the most important element of a successful divorce negotiation. This means that you must try to have all (or as much as is possible under any given circumstance) of the information and facts developed PRIOR to commencing…

Federal tax law has long provided that support payments to an ex-spouse, known as alimony, are generally taxable to the recipient and deductible to the payor.  For over 75 years, divorcing couples (and divorce attorneys) have relied on this treatment of alimony. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017,…

Under the current federal tax scheme, a divorced spouse who pays alimony may deduct those payments from his or her federal taxable income; by contrast, a divorced spouse who receives alimony must pay federal taxes on the alimony.  The alimony-payment deduction incentivizes high-earning spouses to pay larger alimony amounts to…

Abraham Lincoln famously said:  “Discourage litigation.  Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.  Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser – in fees, expenses, and waste of time.” Most experienced divorce lawyers today will tell a client the same thing – that litigation…

There is a lot at stake when facing a divorce. Here are four suggestions to help you obtain a good result: Gather the right people to advise you. You’ll need expert guidance and assistance during the divorce process. Find an experienced family law attorney to help you understand your rights…