How To Prepare Financially For A Divorce
Divorce can stain finances as well as emotions. Both parties are trying to determine financially what life is going to look like after the divorce is finalized. It is also more common than not that in a marriage one of the spouses assumes the role of paying the bills and managing the family's finances. In this arrangement the "non-financial spouse" is now
divorce financial planner
Divorce can stain finances as well as emotions. Both parties are trying to determine financially what life is going to look like after the divorce is finalized. It is also more common than not that in a marriage one of the spouses assumes the role of paying the bills and managing the family's finances. In this arrangement the "non-financial spouse" is now forced very quickly into the role of understanding their total financial picture.
How much income do they need to meet their living expenses?
Where are all of the marital assets located?
How much debt do they have?
How much should they expect to receive or pay in child support / alimony?
Who is responsible for paying the bills while the divorce process is ongoing?
Step 1: Establish a team of professionals........
Since so many important financial decisions are being made in such a short window of time, we strongly recommend that each spouse surround themselves with a team of professionals that they like and trust. That team of professionals usually consists of an attorney /mediator, accountant, therapist, and a financial planner. Even though the divorce process can be stressful and sometimes scary, surrounding yourself with a knowledgeable team of advisors will help you to better understand your current situation, the options available to you, and to help you better prepare for life after the divorce is final.
Step 2: Identify your assets and debts.............
You need to fully understand your current financial situation before you can begin to plan for your income and expenses going forward. First, make a list of all of your assets, their values, where they are located, and how they are owned (jointly or separately). This can usually be accomplished by gathering statements on all of your accounts.
You will also need a list of all of your debts, the name of each creditor, outstanding balances, monthly payments, interest rates, and how each debt is owned (jointly or separately). This information can typically be obtained by requesting a credit report for both you and your spouse.
Step 3: Create a new budget...............
Before you can figure out how much income/support you will need going forward you need to know what your estimated monthly expenses are going to be once the divorce is finalized. We recommend listing all of your monthly expenses and list separately large one-time expenses that are expected to be incurred in the future such as college expense for the kids or a down payment on a house. Once you know your estimated monthly expenses you can work with your financial professionals to determine how much income/support you will need each month to meet those expenses taking into account taxes, inflation, and an assumed rate of return on your assets. Please feel free to utilize our GFG Expense Planner which is located in the Resource section of our newsroom.
Step 4: Develop financial projections............
Remember, the financial decisions that you are making now during the divorce process will most likely have a dramatic impact on what your financial future will look like. Not all assets are treated equally. Some assets are taxable while others are not. Likewise, you may have access to certain assets now to meet current expense while others assets may not be available until retirement.
The goal of these financial projections is to determine what your financial future may look like next year, 3 years, 10 years, and 20 years from now given the financial decisions that are being made today. There are a lot of variables that need to be considered when creating these projections such as assumed rates of return on current assets, annual contribution amounts, taxes, social security, inflation, and debt. We strongly recommend that individuals work with financial planners that specialize in divorce planning to develop these projections.
Having formal income and expense projections in place will also allow you determine how changes to what is being offered during the negotiation process will impact your financial future.
Step 5: Crossing emotional and financial decisions
It is not uncommon for individuals to have an emotional attachment to a specific marital asset. The two most commons assets that we see that fall into this category are the primary residence and pensions.
We see many situations where one spouse has a strong emotional attachment to the house and they become completely focused on doing whatever it takes to "keep the house". But there are certain circumstances where from a financial standpoint that keeping the house is just not a viable financial option. Couples can underestimate the financial impact of divorce. While married, a couple's total income was being used to maintain a single household. Now that same level of income will need to be used to maintain two separate households which usually comes at a greater overall cost. If projections can be produced early on in the divorce process showing that keeping the current house is just not a viable option, it may remove that addition stress of fighting over an asset that cannot be financially maintain by either spouse.
Disclosure: The information listed above is for educational purposes only. Greenbush Financial Group, LLC does not provide legal advice. For legal advice, please consult your attorney.
Michael Ruger
About Michael.........
Hi, I'm Michael Ruger. I'm the managing partner of Greenbush Financial Group and the creator of the nationally recognized Money Smart Board blog . I created the blog because there are a lot of events in life that require important financial decisions. The goal is to help our readers avoid big financial missteps, discover financial solutions that they were not aware of, and to optimize their financial future.
Sample Business Plan
The business plan for a startup business provides entrepreneurs with a guide in creating a business plan and items to consider when starting a new business.
Sample Business Plan
The business plan for a startup business provides entrepreneurs with a guide in creating a business plan and items to consider when starting a new business.
Click on the PDF link in the green box below.
Types of Retirement Plans
The comparing retirement plans chart gives business owners the ability to compare different types of plans available to their company.
Types of Retirement Plans
RC2
The comparing retirement plans chart gives business owners the ability to compare different types of plans available to their company.
Click on the PDF link in the green box below.
Rollover Chart
Provides individuals with clarification on the rollover rules for retirement accounts and IRA’s.
Rollover Chart
RC
Provides individuals with clarification on the rollover rules for retirement accounts and IRA’s.
Click on the PDF link in the green box below.
Expense Planner
The expense planner is used to determine your annual after tax expenses both now and in retirement.
Financial Planning Questionnaire
The financial planning questionnaire is used to gather information in the initial phase of the financial planning process with Greenbush Financial Group.
Year End Tax Strategies
The end of the year is always a hectic time but taking the time to sit with a tax professional and determine what tax strategies will work best for you may save thousands on your tax bill due April 15th. As the deadline for your taxes starts to get closer, you may be in such a rush to file them on time that you make some mistakes in the process, but
year end tax strategies
The end of the year is always a hectic time but taking the time to sit with a tax professional and determine what tax strategies will work best for you may save thousands on your tax bill due April 15th. As the deadline for your taxes starts to get closer, you may be in such a rush to file them on time that you make some mistakes in the process, but don't worry, you won't be the only one. If you don't have the relevant tax strategy in place, you are more prone to mistakes. So, the purpose of this article is to discuss some of the most common tax strategies that may apply to you. It may be worth contacting a company that specializes in tax services if you're unsure of how to go about these strategies though. Some of the deadlines for these strategies aren't until tax filing but the majority include an action item that must be done by December 31st to qualify and therefore taking the time before year end is crucial.
Taxable Investment Accounts
Offset some of the realized gains incurred during the year by selling investments in loss positions. Often times dividends received and sales made in a taxable investment account are reinvested. Although the owner of the account never received cash in the transaction, the gain is still realized and therefore taxable. This may cause an issue when the cash is not available to pay the tax bill. By selling investments in a loss position prior to 12/31, you will offset some, if not all, of the gain realized during the year. If possible, sell enough investments in a loss position to take advantage of the maximum $3,000 loss that can be claimed on your tax return.
Note: The IRS recognized this strategy was being abused and implemented the "wash sale" rule. If you sell an investment in a loss position to diminish gains and then repurchase the same investment within 30 days, the IRS does not allow you to claim the loss therefore negating the strategy.
Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA
If you are in a low income year and will be taxed at a lower tax bracket than projected in the future, it may make sense to convert part of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. The current maximum contribution to a Roth IRA in a single year is $5,500 if under 50 and $6,500 if 50 plus. You will pay taxes on the distributions from the traditional but the benefit of a Roth is that all the contributions and earnings accumulated is tax free when distributed as long as the account has been opened for at least 5 years. Roth accounts are typically the last touched during retirement because you want the tax free accumulation as long as possible. Also, Roth accounts can be passed to a beneficiary who can continue accumulating tax free. Roth money is after tax money and therefore the IRS allows you to withdraw contributions tax and penalty free and let the earnings continue to accumulate tax free. If you don't have the cash come tax time to cover the conversion, you can convert the Roth money back to a traditional IRA by tax filing plus extension and the account will be treated as the Roth conversion never took place.
Donate to Charity if you Itemize
If you itemize deductions on your tax return, go through your closet and donate any clothing or household goods that you no longer use. There are helpful tools online that will allow you to value the items donated but be sure you keep record of what was donated and have the charity give you a receipt.
Max Out Your Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan
If you know you will be hit with a big tax bill and want to defer some of the taxes, max out your retirement plan if you haven't already. Employer sponsored plans, such as 401(k)'s, must be funded through payroll by 12/31 and therefore it is important to make this determination early and request your payroll department start upping your contribution for the remaining payroll periods in the year. The maximum for 401(k)'s in 2015 and 2016 is $18,000 if under 50 and $24,000 if 50 plus.
Business Owners – Cut Checks by 12/31
If your company had a great year and the cash is available, use it to pay for expenses you would normally hold off on. This could mean paying state taxes early, paying invoices you usually wait until the end of the payment term, paying monthly expenses like health or general insurance, or buying new office equipment. This might also mean investing in new office furniture such as chairs and desks, or more storage space for all of your paperwork and electronics. Above all, by getting the checks cut by 12/31, you realize the expense in the current year and will decrease your tax bill.
Business Owners – Set Up a Retirement Plan
For owners with no full time employees, a Single(k) plan being put in place by 12/31 will allow you to fund a retirement account up to the 401(k) limits mentioned early. As long as the plan is established by 12/31, the owner will be able to fund the plan any time before tax filing plus extension. If the plan is not established by 12/31, other options like the SEP IRA are available to take money off the table come tax time.With tax laws continuously changing, it is important to consult with your tax professional as there may be strategies available to you that could save you money. Don't procrastinate as some planning before the end of the year may be necessary to take full advantage.
About Rob.........
Hi, I'm Rob Mangold. I'm the Chief Operating Officer at Greenbush Financial Group and a contributor to the Money Smart Board blog. We created the blog to provide strategies that will help our readers personally , professionally, and financially. Our blog is meant to be a resource. If there are questions that you need answered, pleas feel free to join in on the discussion or contact me directly.
Understanding Investment Tax Forms
Making a wide variety of investments is a wise move as it means if one market drops, not all of your investments will be affected. If you've only invested in stocks or real estate then it would be a good idea to diversify. Take a look at this review and see if Bitcoin is something you want to invest in. The whole point of investing is to make a profit from your
investment tax forms
Types of Investment Income
Making a wide variety of investments is a wise move as it means if one market drops, not all of your investments will be affected. If you've only invested in stocks or real estate then it would be a good idea to diversify. Take a look at this review and see if Bitcoin is something you want to invest in. The whole point of investing is to make a profit from your investments so you want to give yourself as much of a chance of success as possible. Income from investments can be divided into four main categories;
Interest – Interest income is paid on bonds and other types of fixed-income securities such as fixed annuities. Interest is always taxable as ordinary income unless it is paid inside an IRA or qualified plan or annuity contract. Municipal bond interest is also tax free and interest from treasury securities is exempt from taxation at the state and local levels.
Dividends – These represent a portion of a company's current profits that it passes on to shareholders. Dividends can be taxed as ordinary income, or they may qualify for lower capital gains treatment in some cases if they are coded as "qualified" dividends.
Capital Gains – This represents the amount of profit realized when an investment is sold at a higher price than that for which it was bought. Long-term gains are realized for investments held for at least a year and a day before they were sold, and are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Retirement and Annuity Distributions – Although distributions from retirement plans are not technically a form of investment income, they are listed here because IRA and retirement plan owners can only access the gains from their investments in these accounts by taking distributions. Normal distributions are always taxed as ordinary income.
Tax Forms
Each income type listed above is broken out on a corresponding 1099 form issued by the broker or issuer of the income generated. Every form includes the name, address and tax ID number of the issuing entity. These forms are listed as follows:1099-INT – Breaks out the interest paid to the investor. This form is issued for anyone who owns bonds, CDs or mutual funds that invested in fixed income securities or cash or has an interest-bearing bank or brokerage account.
Box 1 shows total taxable interest paid
Box 2 shows the amount of early withdrawal penalty, if any
Box 3 shows the amount of U.S. Treasury security interest paid
Box 4 shows the amount of tax withheld
Box 5 shows investment expenses
Box 6 shows foreign tax paid
Box 7 shows the foreign payor
Box 8 shows tax-exempt interest
Box 9 shows interest from special private activity bonds
Box 10 shows the CUSIP number for tax-free bond interest
Boxes 11-13 show state ID information and withholding
1099-DIV – This breaks down the total amount of dividends paid to an investor. It is issued to holders of any common stock, preferred stock, or mutual fund that invests in them. However, it is not issued to owners of cash value life insurance policies, as those dividends are merely a return of premium.
Box 1a shows total ordinary dividends
Box 1b shows total qualified dividends
Boxes 2a-d break down capital gains from mutual funds, REITs and collectibles
Box 3 shows nondividend distributions
Box 4 shows federal tax withheld
Box 5 shows investment expenses
Boxes 6 and 7 show foreign tax paid and the foreign payor
Boxes 8 and 9 show cash and noncash liquidation distributions
Box 10 shows private interest dividends
Box 11 shows specified private activity bond interest dividends
Boxes 12-14 show state ID information and withholding
1099-B – This form breaks down the amount of capital gain or loss that the investor realized for that tax year. It is issued to everyone who bought or sold publicly traded securities at a gain or loss. Many brokerage firms issue additional statements that break down the loss or gain for each trade and then quantify them into net long- and/or short-term gains and losses for the year.
Box 1a shows the date of sale or exchange
Box 1b shows the date of acquisition
Box 1c shows whether it is a long- or short-term gain or loss
Box 1d shows the ticker symbol of the security
Box 1e shows the quantity sold
Box 2a shows the gross proceeds reported to the IRS both before and after commission and expenses
Box 2b shows a checkbox if loss not allowed due to amount shown in box 2a
Box 3 shows cost or other basis
Box 4 shows federal tax withheld
Box 5 shows any amount of wash sale loss that was disallowed
Box 6 has checkboxes for noncovered securities and for sales where the basis in box 3 was reported to the IRS
Box 7 shows income from bartering
Box 8 is for a description of the security if needed
Boxes 9-12 break down realized and unrealized gains and losses from derivatives contracts
Boxes 13-15 show state ID information and withholding
1099-R – This form is issued to everyone who receives distributions from IRAs, qualified retirement plans or annuity contracts that are not housed inside a tax-deferred account or plan.
Box 1 shows the gross distribution amount
Box 2a shows the amount of taxable distribution
Box 2b has checkboxes for taxable amount not determined and total distribution
Box 3 shows amount of capital gain included in box 2a
Box 4 shows federal tax withheld
Box 5 shows employee/Roth contributions
Box 6 shows net unrealized appreciation in employer securities
Box 7 shows the distribution code that determines how the distribution is taxed
Box 8 shows the value of any annuity contract included in the distribution
Box 9a shows the value of distribution percentage that belongs to the recipient
Box 9b shows the amount of the employee's investment for annuity distributions where the exclusion ratio must be computed
If Box 10 is filled, refer to instructions on Form 5329
Box 11 shows the year the recipient first made a Roth contribution of any kind
Boxes 12-17 show state and local ID information and withholding
1099 MISC – Although most of this form pertains to earned income, it is also used to report royalty income (box 1) and working interest income (box 7) in oil and gas leases.Form 5498 – The receiving custodian of a qualified plan rollover or IRA transfer issues this to the account holder as proof that the transfer was not a taxable event and should not be counted as a distribution.
Michael Ruger
About Michael.........
Hi, I'm Michael Ruger. I'm the managing partner of Greenbush Financial Group and the creator of the nationally recognized Money Smart Board blog . I created the blog because there are a lot of events in life that require important financial decisions. The goal is to help our readers avoid big financial missteps, discover financial solutions that they were not aware of, and to optimize their financial future.
