Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

Evidence suggests a person's behavior has more effect on financial success than income, and no matter what your income level is most people wish they earned 10% more.

Financial adviser Dan Danford, CFP®, CRSP®, MBA, shares tips to create financial success and how to overcome the three money disorders that impact a person's ability to achieve their financial goals.

By Jennifer M. Paine

Michigan Divorce Lawyer

Does your wife get half of your Social Security when you retire?

After all, she gets half of everything else you earned during your marriage, right? As I've explained in my articles on "The Truth To Common Divorce Rumors," everything really does not mean everything (not gifts, inheritances, passive appreciation, etc.), and this is particularly true for Social Security.

As a matter of federal law, your wife may receive Social Security based on your earnings, but not half of yours.

Question:

My ex-husband and I filed a joint tax return in 2010 while still married and we owed a lot of money. We divorced in 2011.

How would we handle the 2010 tax expense debt if it was not addressed in the divorce decree? My ex-husband says I owe him half the debt but I cannot afford it.

By Tara N. Brewer

Special to DadsDivorce.com

As you scramble to file taxes before the deadline, many divorced dads or separated parents face two questions. Who can claim the dependent/s and what tax breaks can I qualify for?

For tax purposes, children are dependents. The parent raising the dependent the majority of the time is considered the custodial parent. The other parent is considered the noncustodial parent.

If the child lived with each parent for an equal amount of time, then the custodial parent would be deemed the parent with the higher adjusted gross income.

By Jennifer M. Paine

Michigan Divorce Lawyer

Should I stop contributing to my retirement account since we’re getting divorced?

If this question has ever crossed your mind, don’t feel like you’re being sneaky. You’re not alone – nearly every guy who comes to a Cordell & Cordell office asks this question.

If your divorce court has not already issued an order restraining either spouse from changing retirement contributions, which many do at the outset of the case, then you do have options. If you are not yet divorcing, you have even more.

Here are three common, universal pros and cons to changing retirement contributions: