Melone Hatley, P.C.
Melone Hatley, P.C.
(800) 479-8124
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(800) 479-8124

Considering separation or divorce before the end of the year can actually be a strategic move. In this video, our divorce lawyers walk you through practical year-end divorce planning steps so you can protect your finances, prepare for child custody discussions, and enter the new year with clarity instead of crisis. 

We explain how to review your finances like a family law client should: gathering bank and credit card statements, tracking living expenses, and creating a clear financial snapshot you can share with your divorce attorney and the court. You’ll learn why your marital status on December 31 matters for tax purposes, how joint vs. separate filing can affect your bottom line, and why it’s important to talk through these questions with a qualified professional early. 

In This Video, We Cover:

  • Reviewing Your Finances
    • How to gather statements, track expenses, and create a financial baseline for your attorney and the court.
  • Tax Implications of Year-End Divorce Decisions
    • Why your marital status on December 31 matters — and how joint vs. separate filing can affect you.
  • Understanding Your Property & Assets
    • What to document before the year ends and why major financial moves should wait.
  • Health Insurance & Benefits
    • Planning for dependents, open enrollment considerations, and what happens if you lose coverage.
  • Retirement Accounts & Contributions
    • Maximizing year-end contributions, employer matches, and how QDROs divide retirement funds.
  • Holiday Custody Planning
    • Creating a holiday parenting schedule, staying child-focused, and setting the tone for cooperative co-parenting.
  • Building Your Support Team
    • Why meeting with a family law attorney, financial planner, and tax professional before year-end is so important.

We also cover how to document property and assets before year-end, why major financial moves may need to wait, and how retirement accounts, year-end contributions, and QDROs fit into your long-term plan. Our child custody lawyers explain what to think about when planning a holiday parenting schedule, from travel and school breaks to managing expectations with extended family and keeping the focus on your kids. Finally, we talk about building your support team before the calendar turns—working with a divorce lawyer, financial planner, and tax professional so you can move forward with confidence.

If you’re weighing divorce or collaborative divorce around the holidays, this video will help you ask the right questions, avoid costly mistakes, and start the process on solid ground.

📌 Why Year-End Planning Matters

Preparing early helps your divorce process run more smoothly and positions you for stability in the months ahead. Year-end statements, tax status, retirement contributions, and holiday schedules all play a major role in how your case is shaped. #divorcelawyer  #divorceattorney  #familylaw  #familylawyer  #divorcesupport  #divorcetalk  #familylawtips  #FamilyLawExplained #divorceadvice  #legalinsights  #legaladvice  #legalpodcast  #lawfirm  #MeloneHatleyPC

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