Deciding to get a divorce can be a very difficult (yet necessary) decision to make. For many, trying to navigate the divorce process and figure out the next steps can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. Hopefully, this will break it all down for you: In Arizona, the first thing that needs to be filed with the court in the divorce process is the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (aka Petition for Divorce). Either spouse can file this Petition. The petition will include various...

Divorce can be stressful and confusing. It’s always good to have a plan. So to assure that your divorce goes smoothly, follow these steps – from A to Z.  A - Ask questions – If you have a question for your attorney, ask it! Asking questions can help you to stay informed and ease any anxiety you may have. B - Be smart – Think about everything you do and say before you do it, or say it. You should always assume your ex (or soon-to-be-ex) is recording your phone conversations and taking...

  Going through a breakup, separation, or divorce, can be really tough. It can turn your world upside down and make it difficult to stay positive. To make sure you stay emotionally strong and healthy, it’s important to learn how to deal with divorce stress in a productive way. Here are some tips on how to cope with the stress of a separation or divorce: Take Care Of Yourself Emotionally And Physically It is so important to take care of yourself both emotionally and physically while you...

Each year, over 1 million American children are affected by their parent's divorce. How each child reacts depends on many factors, including their age, personality, and of course, the circumstances surrounding the divorce or separation. Many times, the initial reaction of children is one of shock, sadness, frustration, anger, or worry. However, with enough planning, you can handle your divorce in a way that doesn’t have to feel like your kids’ world is crashing down on them. If dealt with...

By Guest Blogger: Michelle Petrowski Buonincontri, CFP®, CDFA This article was originally published in  “The Street”   You were happy “once upon a time” and planned a future…. Now you’re 55 and getting a divorce.  Or maybe you’re 60 or even in your 70’s and now part of a trend referred to as “Gray Divorce”, “ Grey Divorce”, “Silver Splitters”, or even “Diamond Divorcees”. We know from reports such as the “Aging in the US  Retirement Security Trends in Marriage and Work Patterns May...

This article was originally published in “The Street” By Guest Blogger: Michelle Petrowski Buonincontri, CFP®, CDFA   As Baby Boomers continue to have higher and increasing divorce rates than other age groups, divorce later in life can bring increased retirement risks - there is less time (a shorter investment horizon) and an opportunity to recover from losses. This creates more vulnerability to market fluctuations and retired spouses may also be confronted with unplanned liquidity needs...

The holiday season is supposed to be filled with joy, celebrations, and traditions. However, for those going through a divorce, it can be a dreaded time, filled with emotional pain, stress, and loneliness. And unfortunately, there is virtually no way to avoid being exposed to the constant ads, TV shows, billboards, and messages that highlight this “most wonderful time of the year,” making it all the more difficult. While going through a divorce during the holidays may, and likely will, be...