Issues for Resolution (with Children)

Parenting Arrangement

• Time-sharing schedule
• Decision making
• Communication
• Access to information
• Relocation considerations
• Transportation

Property Issues

• Marital or separate property
• Marital residence – mortgage, home equity balance(s)
• Pensions, profit sharing, 401(k), IRA, deferred compensation, options
• Business interests, educational degrees, professional licenses
• Personal property (cars, furniture, etc.) – title, loan(s), insurance
• For all property – fair market value, cost to valuate or appraise, valuation date(s)
• Equitable division of marital property
• Marital debt – identify and apportion responsibility
• Tax consequences – e.g., adjust when trading after-tax for pre-tax dollars
• Estate rights

Health Care

• Insurance – provision and cost
• Uninsured medical expenses

Cash Flow to Two Households

• Budget of children’s expenses (including educational costs) – apportioning costs
• Budget for each household
• Current income, employment status and opportunities for each spouse
• Marital property and separate assets available to each spouse
• Education needed for full employment of either spouse – time and cost
• Retirement planning
• Allocation between child and spousal support for tax purposes

Life Insurance

• Amount and type covering each spouse

Professionals’ Fees and Costs

• Apportionment

Income Tax Issues

• Dependency exemptions/ head of household status
• Filing status for future years, and if divorce, for last year of marriage