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The Challenges of a Blended Family

The Wall Street Journal reported that 40% of the U.S. population has at least one step relative and 30% have a step or half sibling.  Research suggests that it can take at least ten years for stepfamilies to fully bond.

The changes from the “honeymoon” of dating to the reality…

What Happens To Family Pets When Their Owners Divorce?

To the shock and dismay of pet lovers, when it comes to divorce court, pets are treated as property, not children.  While pet owners approach their pets as comparable to the custody and visitation of children, divorce judges will generally decide pets like they would pots and pans.  Pets…

The National Trend Is Enforcement of Prenuptial Agreements

Recent court decisions around the nation suggest that a properly drafted prenuptial agreement will likely be enforced.  Although no prenuptial agreement can possibly address every possible issue, nor can an attorney ensure its enforceability, Nevada cases as well as those around the country suggested if the prenuptial agreement is…

Divorce: Are You Liable for Your Spouse’s Student Loans Acquired During Marriage?

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in 2013 the outstanding student loan debt in the United States was approaching the $1 Trillion mark. With that crushing amount of student loan debt weighing down on American households, it is no wonder that the division of student loan…

DOUBLE THE TROUBLE: Why Lawyers are Twice as Likely to Suffer from Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

In the December 2015 issue of the ABA Journal, the American Bar Association reported that “available estimates peg the addiction rate of attorneys to be roughly twice that of the general population.” The Journal even suggested that that figure may be an overly conservative estimate. Quoting Patrick R. Krill…

Would It Surprise You To Know That Most Lawyers are Introverted?

In the January issue of the ABA Journal, there is an article based on the recent book by Susan Cain called “Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.”  The book, written by a former lawyer, discusses how society has become extroverted and introverts are…

FAMILY COURT TOUCHES THIRD RAILIN CUSTODY PROCEEDING – RELIGION

The proverbial “third rail” is actually a rail that provides electric power to trains.  This rail, although necessary for public transit,  threatens electrocution of anyone who stumbles into or intentionally touches the rail.  That’s why, in politics, the third rail has come to mean any issue or subject which…

Overpayment of Alimony is not Dischargeable in a Bankruptcy Proceeding

A federal court recently found that a “debt arising from the overpayment of spousal support is nondischargeable.  In other words a recipient of alimony who was inadvertently “overpaid” alimony cannot discharge the obligation to repay the debt by filing bankruptcy.

Start Saving for your children’s college

Nevada is one of only four states that have received a “gold star” from Morningstar for its 529 college savings plan.  A 529 plan is college savings tool allowed by section 529 of the Internal Revenue code that have tax and other benefits to encourage saving for your children’s…

Bruce Shapiro of Pecos Law Group is celebrating his 25th anniversary as being a licensed Nevada attorney.