Meet Heather Hostetter, she is a family law attorney located in Bethesda Maryland with a long list of awards and a partner at Hostetter Strent. This is a domestic relations law that deals with divorce, property distribution, alimony, custody, and child support.

In this episode, Leah speaks with Heather about the process of property distribution during a divorce primarily with alimony and child support when the woman is the main breadwinner.

Listen in to learn the difference between alimony and child support and why they both exist. You will also learn why as a woman; you need to think hard before entering a legal marriage and what to consider before and during the marriage in terms of finances and support.

What you will learn:

• The factors that come into play before the court awards alimony during a divorce and the types that exist.
• She explains why it’s difficult for the fault to play part in alimony.
• The factors that determine how the length of the marriage affects the alimony.
• The difference between paying alimony and child support and how women breadwinners react to it.
• She explains the legal consequences of an ending marriage and understanding them beforehand.
• The alimony negotiations process and what the court has the power to do and not do.
• How both women and men react to the issue of alimony during a divorce.
• How child support is calculated and its relationship to alimony.
• She explains how the child support money is divided to make sure it caters to children.
• The importance of having a conversation before and during a marriage about the roles of both partners.
• The purpose of thinking hard as a woman before getting married and understanding the consequences and whether you can live with them.

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HighTowerBethsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In this episode, Leah Jones, Director of Financial Planning for Hightower Bethesda, talks to Regina DeMeo, a family law attorney. Regina has worked with family law issues for 22 years, serving her clients to make divorce easier and more cost-effective as they work towards a resolution. She shares what an amicable divorce looks like and the difference between mediation and a collaborative approach. She also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the process.

“If you can’t sit in that meeting and sort of have a clear mind, you shouldn’t be making legal decisions that are going to impact the rest of your life or the rest of your kids’ lives. Someone’s really got to be in a good emotional place and have a pretty good understanding of the issues that we’re about to discuss.” -Regina DeMeo

What You Will Learn:

• If it possible to have an amicable divorce
• What does an amicable divorce looks like
• Mediation vs collaborative approach
• The difference in costs
• How the COVID-19 pandemic affects divorce process
• Why you should look at divorce as an investment and preversing good will

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahPlans4You

Resources:

Visit our website: https://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com

Visit Regina DeMeo’s website: https://www.reginademeo.com/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Meet Meg McKenny, the former founding partner of Delaney McKinney and recently founded McKinney Figini. She has over 27 years of experience practicing family law and is sought after for her negotiations, trial skills, and has made integrity and reliability central facets of her legal practice.

In this episode, Leah is joined by Meg McKinney as she explores the topic of financial literacy and transparency in marriage and divorce. She dives deep into the process she as a family lawyer takes couples through to educate them on how to manage their financial situations.

Listen in to learn the importance of having an open mind when considering a prenup agreement before marriage. You will also learn how divorce law works in the state of Maryland.

What you will learn:

• How she helps couples understand their financial situation during a divorce process- how the now and the future looks like for their finances.
• How a client’s tax return shows their financial situation and the process that follows after examining it.
• She describes the interview she conducts with clients to determine their financial literacy and why they need to get their own credit report.
• The red flags that show a lack of financial transparency with a client.
• The importance of financial literacy in marriage and ways in which people hide money with or without leaving footprints.
• The difficulty of splitting income when supporting two households.
• The importance of understanding your partner’s financial goals and expectations in marriage through a prenup- making sure you’re reading on the same page.
• Divorce law in Maryland- understanding how credit card debt and business ownership works.
• Meg shares her two favorite books that offer help with marriage and relationship management.

Books Mentioned:

• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work- John M. Gottman
• Marriageology: The Art and Science of Staying Together- Belinda Luscombe

Our Contacts:

Website: http://bethesda.hightoweradvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hightowerbethesda/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HightowerBethesda/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahPlans4You

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.mckinneyfigini.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-mckinney-26111813/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download