State-Specific Family Law: Core state legislation governing separation agreements, including state-specific requirements for legal separation and recognition of separation status. Note that requirements and recognition vary significantly by state.
Property Division Laws: Legal framework for dividing property, including distinction between community property and equitable distribution states, definitions of marital versus separate property, and requirements for property valuation.
Child-Related Laws: Legislation including the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), state-specific child support guidelines, best interests standards, and regulations regarding parenting time and visitation.
Spousal Support Laws: State-specific guidelines governing alimony duration and amounts, including tax implications (particularly post-2019 changes) and provisions for future modifications.
Federal Laws: Relevant federal legislation including Social Security benefits considerations, ERISA for retirement accounts, COBRA for health insurance continuation, and QDROs for pension division.
Tax Considerations: IRS regulations regarding support payments, property transfer tax implications, and options for filing status during and after separation.
Debt Division: Legal framework for allocating joint debts, including considerations for joint liability, credit card debt allocation, and mortgage responsibilities.
Insurance Considerations: Legal requirements and considerations for health insurance continuation, life insurance requirements, and property insurance obligations during separation.
