Lisa C. Dumond of ZNC Law Prospect CT Family Law Attorney | New Haven County Lawyer 2026-04-24T01:43:06Z https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1503179/2022/09/cropped-LisaDumond-site-icon-32x32.png On Behalf of The Law Office of Lisa C. Dumond, LLC <![CDATA[How can you protect yourself when making an offer on a house?]]> https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/?p=47391 2022-07-19T11:31:48Z 2021-12-30T21:32:39Z Drafting a customized offer is crucial to your protection Just using standard real estate forms will leave you with minimal protection as a buyer looking for a new house. The language in standard offer agreements is quite generic and may not include important terms that could better protect you. You may want to include contingencies in your offer. A contingency is a clause providing an escape from the transaction. If the house appraises for less than you offered and you can't get the mortgage, an appraisal or financing contingency would protect you. Inspection contingencies are often used as well, allowing buyers to retract an offer or cancel the closing if a final walk-through or professional inspection turns up significant and previously undisclosed defects. You could even include a contingency that would allow you to cancel the sale if you cannot sell your own property for the price necessary to afford this home.

Reviewing counteroffers is also important

When a seller seriously considers your offer but has needs that you failed to address, they may propose a counteroffer. Buyers often focus on specific terms rather than the whole offer agreement when considering a counteroffer. Having a legal professional review counteroffers and adjusted contracts before you formally agree to anything could protect you from potentially serious oversights and unfavorable terms. Having the right support when purchasing residential real estate helps you minimize the risks involved in your house hunt.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Lisa C. Dumond, LLC <![CDATA[Understanding equitable distribution during your divorce]]> https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/?p=47246 2022-07-19T11:31:56Z 2021-10-01T17:14:38Z equitable distribution law rather than community property laws. What does that mean? It means that people going through a divorce are expected to divide their marital assets fairly, not equally. Doing what is equitable may not work out to you and your spouse splitting your assets 50-50.

How do you know what’s equitable in a divorce?

To start with, you have to figure out which property is shared and which is not. Only property that falls into the category of marital property is divided. The rest is kept by the person who originally purchased or obtained it. Separate property might include things like your vehicle purchased before marriage or an inheritance, though there are exceptions. Once you know which property falls into the category of marital property, you will need to divide it. To do that, you first have to know each asset’s value. Some assets, like your home or vehicle, might need to be appraised. After determining how much your assets are worth, you will need to determine what an equitable distribution of your property would be. This will vary based on your circumstances, so there is no simple calculation to follow. Instead, you should look at factors such as:
  • Who provided the income in the family and how much of their money they invested in those assets
  • If each party invested in the marriage equally or at a different ratio. For example, did one parent stay home with your children? Did both parties work and have similar incomes? Did one person work while the other stayed home and did not? These are questions to ask yourself
  • The health and earning capacities of each person
Normally, you can determine how to divide your property by negotiating. Most divorcing couples start with a presumption of a 50-50 split and go from there. However, you are not obligated to split your assets 50-50, so if you believe that you should receive a greater portion or that you need to receive a larger portion for financial stability, then that is something to discuss with your attorney.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Lisa C. Dumond, LLC <![CDATA[Helping your child thrive following a divorce]]> https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/?p=47229 2022-07-19T11:32:02Z 2021-07-01T19:29:09Z Helping your children adjust to divorce Part of helping your children adjust to divorce is getting them back on an understandable and reasonable schedule. Depending on your child’s age, this may mean regular back-and-forth visits between homes or settling into a schedule that gives them a home base during the school week and another home on weekends. There are dozens of possibilities for custody schedules, so it’s worth taking time to sit down and think about what would really be best for your child. You may want to sit down with your ex-spouse and discuss your custody schedule along with a parenting plan that details what your child will do for school, extracurricular activities or other circumstances. You should be on the same page with things like discipline or bringing new partners into the home. That way, you can minimize conflict and make sure that your child is treated fairly in both homes. Since children may not yet have the emotional tools to handle a divorce in the way you and your ex-spouse can as adults, it’s helpful to sit down and talk to them about the divorce and how they feel. Some children may be angry, but others may be sad or feel guilty. If you find that your child isn’t adapting after some time, consider involving a family or children’s therapist to help them work through their emotions and give you more ideas on how to address issues caused by the divorce. Your children can thrive after a divorce with the right positive attention, a parenting plan that is in their best interests and a custody schedule that works for their age and needs. Adjustments will take time to adapt to, but your children can get through these changes with the right support.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Lisa C. Dumond, LLC <![CDATA[What factors are considered for alimony in Connecticut?]]> https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/?p=47208 2022-07-19T11:32:07Z 2021-04-05T20:10:45Z alimony is available for some spouses when they need extra financial support. Alimony may be temporary or permanent, depending on the circumstances.

What kinds of alimony are there in Connecticut?

Some types of alimony that are available in Connecticut include:
  • Periodic alimony
  • Alimony pendente lite
  • Permanent alimony
  • Lump-sum alimony
  • Rehabilitative alimony
Each one of these has its own benefits. For example, alimony pendente lite is used when a spouse needs support before there has been a determination on if that spouse is entitled to permanent alimony. Lump-sum alimony is a single payment made to the recipient for the full amount of alimony owed. Periodic alimony is made at scheduled intervals, while permanent alimony continues for the rest of both parties’ lives (with exceptions). Some of the factors used when determining alimony in Connecticut include:
  • Whether one spouse is capable of paying alimony to the other
  • The spouse in need’s ability to find work
  • Health conditions
  • Age
  • Occupation
  • The duration of the marriage
  • Vocational skills
  • Employability
Since every case is different, it’s difficult to come up with an amount of alimony that could be guaranteed to a person who goes to trial for their divorce. For most couples, deciding on a fair amount of alimony outside court is beneficial, because it allows them to work together to find a reasonable solution.

What happens if you can’t decide how much alimony you need or should receive?

If you cannot agree on the amount of alimony that should be exchanged, then you can go before a judge. If you do that, you need to present your argument for why you need this support and give the court any other details that could help a judge decide on how much alimony, if any, is fair. Judges have broad discretion in alimony cases, so it’s a good idea to have your attorney there to help.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Lisa C. Dumond, LLC <![CDATA[The length of the divorce process]]> https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/?p=47198 2022-07-19T11:32:13Z 2021-01-28T23:34:38Z How long does it generally take to get a divorce in Connecticut? When you get divorced in Connecticut, there's usually a 90-day waiting period after you file. If you have an amicable divorce with no issues, you can probably get that 90-day waiting period waived. If you have a difficult, acrimonious divorce, your divorce can take at least a year to finalize. If you really want to end the marriage as soon as possible, you may want to ask your lawyer if you can work through any outstanding issues with your soon-to-be-ex as soon as possible. One worry that some people have is that they're afraid of losing their homes if they vacate their home during the divorce proceedings. They're afraid that leaving may make it look like they’ve abandoned their home, putting their ownership in jeopardy. In this case, it's best for the divorcing party to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. This way they may be able to avoid claims of abandonment. Some people are also concerned about child support. Like many states, Connecticut has its own formula for determining how much child support shall be paid. Child support usually ends at 18 in Connecticut, but it can continue afterward in certain circumstances. Some people may also be wondering if they're entitled to alimony, but that question can't be answered until you make a formal request to the court. The court will look at information like how long the marriage lasted, the income and the employability of both parties, the age of the spouses, etc.

Where can someone go to find out more about getting divorced in Connecticut?

People who are considering divorce in Connecticut may benefit by working with lawyers who have experience in matrimonial law and divorce law. An experienced attorney can help throughout the divorce process to get the best result for all involved.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Lisa C. Dumond, LLC <![CDATA[Crafting a will: what needs to be taken into consideration]]> https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/?p=47148 2022-07-19T11:32:18Z 2020-10-07T17:28:46Z Selecting guardians for your children For many parents, their children are their entire world, and they actively seek to ensure their kids’ safety. However, this is not possible if you, unfortunately, pass away. Therefore, it is highly recommended to begin to write a will that states who will be the guardians of your children if you either are incapacitated or pass away. In addition, the will should also state who would manage your estate while your children are minors. As you can guess, this is an incredibly important document for the long-term security of your children and one that should be prepared with your personal attorney.

Diminishes probate wait time

One of the most frustrating aspects for your family after your death will be waiting for the courts to separate your assets. This period of time is called probate, and everyone needs to go through it even if they had a will. However, the wait can be drastically diminished if you have a detailed will on the records.

May reduce estate tax

One of the more complex matters when it comes to crafting your will is the tax portion — to be more specific, the inclusion of the estate tax, which needs to be paid by those who are receiving property and other types of assets from your estate. When you create a will, you are providing proof that certain assets will be presented as financial gifts. Although it may not entirely eliminate the estate tax, you can help reduce the amount. Crafting a will is a very complex and lengthy process and one that should be completed with assistance from a personal attorney who has experience with wills and estates as well as a tax expert. Taking those proactive measures may help reduce the difficult process for your family in the event you die.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Lisa C. Dumond, LLC <![CDATA[Structuring a buy-sell agreement so a business remains intact]]> https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/?p=47138 2024-06-05T06:41:42Z 2020-07-23T17:37:49Z Cross purchase agreement The founders of any company who intend to pass it on to their children or keep it alive decades down the road must put together an exit strategy for key members. One of the reasons why some companies fail is that they cannot survive changes in leadership. A cross purchase agreement gives the company's existing leadership an option to purchase the interest or shares of the member who has passed away or is exiting the company.

Stock redemption agreement

A stock redemption agreement gives a corporation the right to purchase the stock interest of the member who has passed away or is exiting the company. The shareholder is essentially bought out. This agreement, as well as the others, is designed to protect the company. Sometimes a member has to exit because he or she becomes debilitated. Other times, there is a messy divorce. The goal is to reduce the risk that could negatively impact an organization.

Combination agreement

A combination agreement is a hybrid of the cross purchase and stock redemption agreement. The other owners must purchase the interest of the member who has passed away or is exiting the company. This ensures that the interest of the organization remains within instead of going outside. Bringing in new owners or leaders into a company at this time is not always a good idea unless it specifically wants to restructure. Buy-sell agreements are a form of succession planning. If the goal is to keep the company alive decades down the road, this is a vital document to prepare. To prepare the document, you are encouraged to speak with a professional who is experienced in this area as well as real estate law.]]> On Behalf of The Law Office of Lisa C. Dumond, LLC <![CDATA[How parents can minimize the impact of divorce on their children]]> https://www.dumondlawfirm.com/?p=46873 2024-06-05T05:49:56Z 2020-04-28T19:10:46Z Since all children are physically, emotionally and psychologically different, nobody can pinpoint exactly how each child will react to their parents' divorce. It is common for children, especially older children, to think that they are the reason for their parents splitting up. That is just not the case.  Couples get divorced for a multitude of reasons. The final straw may include never lifting up the toilet seat or not helping with household chores, but the real reasons that lead to divorce are often deeply rooted in years of unfulfillment, poor communication, a lack of affection, financial troubles, addiction, or abuse, among others. Some couples put off divorce for years because of their children. Parents don't want their kids to become "children of divorce," but as time goes on, divorce becomes the only acceptable option. In other instances, when relationships are toxic and attempts to reignite the relationship have failed, separation can provide relief for the parents and children if the parents can agree to treat one another with respect.

The profound impact of consistent conflict

One of the overarching elements that cause children to develop stress and anxiety issues is parental discord. All couples argue, but persistently poor communication, yelling, and pitting your children against their other parent can lead to increased anxiety and stress for your child. This anxiety can manifest and hurt a child's development, concentration, health, and relationships later in life.  In addition to anxiety, consistent parental conflict often causes a child to display cognitive dissonance, which leads the child to align with one parent over the other. Without even realizing they said it loud enough for their children to hear or misunderstanding the harm it could cause, parents in hurtful relationships may make comments like, "Why didn't your father tell me that?" or murmur, "What a slob..." under their breath.  These seemingly innocent comments have a profound impact on children. Because they feel torn between their parents, they feel like they have to choose, and that can diminish their relationship with the other parent.

How can divorcing parents help their children transition?

While the best interests of the child should always come first, in many custody determinations, that isn't the case. Just because you won primary custody, it shouldn't lead to complete disrespect of your ex and shunning your children from seeing their other parent. The only justification for this kind of action is severe cases that would put the children in danger if they were to interact with their other parent.  Children and adults heal from divorce differently and on different timetables. The best thing you can do for your child is to respect your ex enough to maintain an amicable relationship post-divorce. Other things you can do to help your children heal from divorce are to make sure your children are heard, offer them support, legitimize their feelings, encourage them to be honest and keep their schedule as close to the same as possible. Children thrive on stability. To make divorce easier on yourself, allow yourself to be vulnerable, maintain a healthy support system that will enable you to vent without judgment and practice a healthy lifestyle. Divorces happen, but you can manage them in a healthy way that doesn't permanently hinder you or your child's current and future growth.]]>