ArentFox Schiff Achieves Financial Security for Client and Family
Mary and her husband were married in 1998 and had four children together. When the couple separated in 2012, Mary effectively became the primary parent of the children, one of whom has a significant intellectual disability. Mary was involved in a child support case against her husband in 2014, which resulted in an order obligating him to pay $95 per week for the support of the children. Unfortunately, this amount did not meet the children’s needs and did not reflect the husband’s current earnings.
In order to re-address the issue of child support and move on to the next chapter of her life, Mary filed for divorce with the help of CVLS Volunteer Meredith R.W. DeCarlo of ArentFox Schiff LLP. In response to the filing, Mary’s husband retained his own lawyer, and a contested divorce case began in 2018.
Several issues impeded quick resolution of the case, including a dispute about Mary’s retirement account. During the pandemic and long after they were no longer together, Mary lost her job. Mary had to liquidate her retirement account to pay for her and her children’s living expenses. The husband argued that the retirement account was marital property and that he was entitled to half.
Through years of litigation, and after navigating the Court’s shutdown during the pandemic, Mary’s attorneys were finally able to negotiate a settlement in Mary’s favor. The agreement gives Mary majority parenting time and exclusive decision-making for the children. Mary’s husband has no claim to the liquidated retirement account, and the husband’s child support obligation rose to $1,100 per month to account for his increase in income from new employment.
