Tag Archive for: spousal maintenance

J. Crew boss to try on a size XL divorce

Many Milwaukee residents probably know J. Crew, the clothing company beloved by Michelle Obama and other clotheshorses. If so, they are probably familiar with the face of J. Crew, Jenna Lyons. J. Crew has made Lyons, its president and creative director, a prominent fixture of its marketing campaigns. She usually appears in advertisements with her son to convey the message that it is possible to be a modern, career-oriented professional and parent — and to look great all the while.

The focus of that marketing strategy might need to change, though. Lyons recently filed for divorce from Vincent Mazeau, her husband since 2002, and is reportedly leaving him for a relationship with a woman.

It seems Lyons’ marriage to Mazeau fell apart this summer. Now, the two are trying to figure out a child custody arrangement for their son, Beckett.

Another unresolved issue is whether Lyons will have to pay Mazeau spousal support. Last year, she earned $4.2 million while he was primarily a stay-at-home dad. Mazeau has said he gave up on his career as an artist so that Lyons could pursue her career at J. Crew.

All in all, this has the makings for a rather contentious divorce. Money, fame and a professional reputation are at stake and if it’s true that Lyons left her husband for a woman, then there is just a whiff of scandal about the whole affair.

Generally speaking, in child custody cases, judges consider the best interests of the child. When it comes to spousal support, they look to each spouse’s need and to the other spouse’s ability to pay.

Now, that is really an over-generalization. Every relationship is unique and there are a host of other nuances and smaller factors that play into the situation. (Here, for instance, is true that Mazeau “gave up” his career as an artist? Many artists do not make it professionally; was he really “giving up” anything at all?)

If you are heading towards a divorce or need guidance in determining an acceptable child-custody arragement, it would be a good idea to have a conversation with a Milwaukee attorney who specializes in these matters. He or she will be able to elaborate more on all the details of what goes into child custody and spousal support decisions.

Source: The Daily Mail, “Millionaire J. Crew boss who painted five-year-old son’s toenails pink splits from husband — and moves on with lesbian lover,” Daniel Bates, Oct. 25, 2011

Managing your insurance plans after a divorce

Divorce can bring sweeping changes to a person’s life. After the paperwork is finalized, it can seem overwhelming to adjust to changes in home life or in relationships. But it’s important to remember another change that requires attention immediately after divorce: managing separate insurance plans.

Altering health insurance policies is one of the principal changes that must be made following a separation. Often, both spouses are covered under a single policy. After a divorce, spouses should not simply leave their ex on their policy, as this constitutes insurance fraud and could leave your ex unexpectedly uninsured. Recently divorced spouses can apply for coverage on their spouse’s plan under COBRA, but this is only a temporary measure. For long-term coverage, the divorced spouse will need to purchase their own plan.

Life insurance policies may also require attention. Both spouses are usually covered on a single life insurance policy, which is owned by one of the spouses. Only the owner of the policy can make changes to it, such as naming beneficiaries. This means that after the divorce, the other spouse will usually need to purchase their own policy. Insurance payments can be included in divorce settlements; those concerned about maintaining coverage after the divorce may wish to consider this option.

Divorced spouses must also remember to separate their car insurance policies. If both cars were on the same plan before the separation, both spouses will need to purchase a new policy afterwards. Like life insurance, the cost of car insurance can be included in spousal support agreements.

Some spouses may find that their insurance payments go down after a divorce, as they remove their ex-spouses from their policies. Others may find themselves faced with significant monthly payments. Spouses concerned about making those payments may wish to speak to a lawyer about including them in their spousal support agreement. Most importantly, spouses must reassess each policy they control to ensure that they are receiving the proper amount of coverage.

Source: Reuters, “How to untangle your insurance plans in divorce,” Geoff Williams, Sept. 11, 2012

High asset divorce can involve alimony disputes

There are a multitude of issues that divorcing couples in Wisconsin must address in order to come to fair marital property settlements. One of those issues is spousal maintenance, also commonly referred to as alimony.

Spousal maintenance can be awarded to one spouse in order to help that person maintain the lifestyle that he or she had become accustomed to prior to a divorce. Maintenance awards are often granted to stay-at-home spouses who gave up their careers in order to stay home with the children.

Generally speaking, after spending a lifetime out of the workplace, it is difficult to enter back into the workforce, especially in today’s tough economic climate. Alimony is intended to alleviate this burden. However, many couples have a hard time reaching an agreement about this issue. .

A TV anchorman and his ex-wife are currently battling over alimony. In 2010, the couple was granted an order of divorce in which the wife was to receive permanent spousal maintenance of more than $16,000 per month. The court did not consider whether the wife could become self-supporting.

The ex-husband, who makes around $525,000 per year appealed that decision on the grounds that the wife does has a college degree in education and held a job as a special education teacher for five years during the early years of their marriage. He argued that she is capable of working and says she could earn a salary to help support herself.

On the other hand, the ex-wife has not worked full-time in 25 years, since the couple started having children. Although she home-schooled one of her children and has volunteered as a tennis and dance coach, she has only been employed part-time as a fitness instructor, earning around $3,000 each year.

The appeals court in this case agreed with the husband and ruled that the lower court should consider the ability of the wife to eventually become self-supporting and the possibility of prospective earnings.

The case is now being sent back to the lower court to consider these possibilities. Based on those considerations, it is possible that the wife’s alimony award will be limited in time or in amount. Hopefully, taking all factors into account, the court will come to a fair resolution.

Source: The Pioneer Press, “Fox 9 anchor Passolt in alimony dispute,” Emily Gurnon,” Aug. 22, 2011

J. Crew boss to try on a size XL divorce

Many Milwaukee residents probably know J. Crew, the clothing company beloved by Michelle Obama and other clotheshorses. If so, they are probably familiar with the face of J. Crew, Jenna Lyons. J. Crew has made Lyons, its president and creative director, a prominent fixture of its marketing campaigns. She usually appears in advertisements with her son to convey the message that it is possible to be a modern, career-oriented professional and parent — and to look great all the while.

The focus of that marketing strategy might need to change, though. Lyons recently filed for divorce from Vincent Mazeau, her husband since 2002, and is reportedly leaving him for a relationship with a woman.

It seems Lyons’ marriage to Mazeau fell apart this summer. Now, the two are trying to figure out a child custody arrangement for their son, Beckett.

Another unresolved issue is whether Lyons will have to pay Mazeau spousal support. Last year, she earned $4.2 million while he was primarily a stay-at-home dad. Mazeau has said he gave up on his career as an artist so that Lyons could pursue her career at J. Crew.

All in all, this has the makings for a rather contentious divorce. Money, fame and a professional reputation are at stake and if it’s true that Lyons left her husband for a woman, then there is just a whiff of scandal about the whole affair.

Generally speaking, in child custody cases, judges consider the best interests of the child. When it comes to spousal support, they look to each spouse’s need and to the other spouse’s ability to pay.

Now, that is really an over-generalization. Every relationship is unique and there are a host of other nuances and smaller factors that play into the situation. (Here, for instance, is true that Mazeau “gave up” his career as an artist? Many artists do not make it professionally; was he really “giving up” anything at all?)

If you are heading towards a divorce or need guidance in determining an acceptable child-custody arragement, it would be a good idea to have a conversation with a Milwaukee attorney who specializes in these matters. He or she will be able to elaborate more on all the details of what goes into child custody and spousal support decisions.

Source: The Daily Mail, “Millionaire J. Crew boss who painted five-year-old son’s toenails pink splits from husband — and moves on with lesbian lover,” Daniel Bates, Oct. 25, 2011