The Mayo Clinic defines Narcissistic personality disorder as a “a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.”  It is not surprising individuals with this condition find themselves as a party to a… Read more »

Spousal maintenance or alimony is based upon a spousal maintenance recipient’s need and an obligor’s ability to pay.  Spousal maintenance can be maximized by the following: Identifying your monthly living expenses. The need of a spousal maintenance recipient is generally based upon their reasonable monthly living expenses consistent with the marital standard of living.  Day… Read more »

Minnesota Alimony Calculator Several states have set formulas for calculating alimony or spousal maintenance.  Minnesota, however, is not one of them. In Minnesota, spousal maintenance is calculated by balancing an obligor’s ability to pay versus the reasonable needs of the obligee.  Additionally, courts will analyze statutory spousal maintenance factors which include but are not limited… Read more »

  This past weekend, I walked past the “Clearance” section of Target, and all of the Valentine’s candy, decorations and cards were carefully stacked on the discount shelf.  If I was smart, I would have taken the time to pick out cards for the next year and saved some money.  This year it was projected… Read more »

In November 14, 2017, I wrote an opinion article which appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune regarding the elimination of the deduction for spousal maintenance on tax returns. At the time, the Senate’s proposed tax bill did not have this same provision. I was not sure how the House and Senate would reconcile their differences…. Read more »