Recent U.S. Tax Overhaul Has Alimony Payment Impact

 

Gordon Burrows

Practicing in White Plains, New York, Gordon Burrows offers knowledgeable representation in complex family and matrimonial cases. Gordon Burrows maintains an extensive knowledge of divorce law and alimony arrangements. As reported in the New York Post, one provision in the Congress’ recently passed tax overhaul could have a significant ramification for those going through divorce.

A provision in the bill stipulates that spouses in divorces commenced from January 1, 2019, onward can no longer deduct their alimony payments. Balancing this somewhat, the alimony recipient is no longer required to pay taxes on the alimony received.

The overall effect is to decrease the total amount of money allocated between spouses, as the ex-spouse responsible for paying alimony typically has a higher income and a corresponding higher tax bracket. Thus, the tax savings that the recipient receives are significantly less than the extra money that the alimony payer owes in taxes.

Some worry that this extra tax will have a significant impact on those who are in lower income brackets and for whom extra outlays represent a major financial burden. The impact on the federal government is expected to be a net positive over the next decade, with the IRS adding $8.3 billion to its coffers.

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Social Media and Its Impact on Child Custody Cases

Gordon Burrows

A New York-based attorney with over three decades of experience, Gordon Burrows has practiced law in White Plains since 2004. Focused on matrimonial and family law, Gordon Burrows handles cases involving divorce as well as child custody and support matters.

With many people sharing their thoughts, feelings, and daily activities on social media today, posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other sites often find their way into child custody cases. While little thought may go into creating these posts, such digitized quips can be used as potentially damaging evidence in family court.

One of the most common mistakes that parents make in the midst of a custody battle is to use social media to vent their frustrations against the other parent or even the attorneys and judges involved in the case. Many times, this information is viewed as public knowledge and can be used as evidence to determine a parent’s maturity and willingness to support the other parent’s relationship with their children.

Social media posts that depict a parent as irresponsible or unable to properly care for their child can also affect a judge’s decision in a child custody dispute. Because social media activity can potentially be used to determine parental fitness and character, many attorneys advise clients to be very careful with posts or avoid social media altogether during a custody case. Additionally, some family law firms now ask clients to complete a social media worksheet to help them identify potential problems.