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Spousal maintenance - what used to be called alimony - can be a key negotiating point in a divorce. In this episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, Family Law Attorney Billie Tarascio talks with Ryan Claridge, a Modern Law attorney, who talks about the strategies involved when it comes time to asking for spousal maintenance. 

It's not a divorce penalty, Ryan says, but it is a bridge for one spouse who makes less money than the other, to receive income from the other spouse for a period of time. Sometimes courts look at spousal maintenance as "compensatory," such as when one spouse supports another while getting a college degree, for instance. 

For anyone who is in the midst of splitting up and potentially receiving - or paying - spousal maintenance, this discussion is all about your money and how you can make the most of it.

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In this Modern Divorce Podcast, we do a deep dive into the common issues that come up for divorced parents who are jointly raising children. And there are problems aplenty - which can sometimes be solved beforehand in a well drafted parenting plan.

What if mom doesn't want the kiddos to have cell phones because they aren't doing their school work? But dad disagrees because he pays the cell phone bills. That could be part of a parenting plan. But how should issues like children's doctors and discipline be addressed?  How should a parent react when the other uses corporeal punishment like spanking when the other is strictly against it?

Colombian-born family attorney Henry Alzate talks with Modern Law's Billie Tarascio about how to navigate these very difficult waters, and how to handle communication issues that surround disagreements. Building a parenting plan may need to include details for dealing with a teenager when that child is currently five.

Henry Alzate has a private practice in the Phoenix area, and can be reached at 602-290-5487. You can also reach Billie Tarascio at [email protected] or at MyModernLaw.com

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When it comes to splitting up property and money with your ex, are you leaving too much money on the table? Can you get a better deal with your spouse if you negotiate harder, or in a better way?

In this Modern Divorce podcast episode, your host, Billie Tarascio talks with her Modern Law colleague Darin Colburn about the asset and money split between Amazon owner Jeff Bezos, one of the richest men in the world, and his ex wife MacKenzie Scott. The discussion has some critical negotiating points for anyone splitting up assets in a divorce, including things you are absolutely entitled to, and assessing your real value and contributions during a marriage.

Some people may be interested in striking a quick deal and getting OUT of the marriage, but in other cases, people may be more interested in doing a deep dive into hidden assets or mis-valued assets. This is a fascinating breakdown of things you need to know during a divorce.

For more information, contact the Modern Law team at [email protected], or stop by our website at MyModernLaw.com

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After representing children in court, family law attorney Tami Haley, found out that the children in your life are listening to everything you say. Let's just say it's like having a camera recording everything you are doing.

"You have to see the custody issues from the eyes of the child," Tami says. "They know everything." In this episode, Tami talks about how to step mom the right way and how to insulate children from all the drama of divorce and post-divorce.

One of the only ways to lose custody is by failing to recognize your children's needs. Tami talks with host Billie Tarascio about step parenting and how to manage the dicey issues surrounding children who have to live through the dramas and stress of a divorce.

To find Tami, check her out at HaleyLawAZ.com. And find more about Billie Tarascio and Modern Law at [email protected] 

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Family law attorney Kylie Bigelow is known for her ability to pull out amazing outcomes from high drama, difficult and messy child custody divorces where a parent's ability to spend time with their child - and their longterm relationship - is on the line. In this episode, our host Billie Tarascio talks with Kylie about dealing with angry children, implanted memories, parental alienation and whether and when a therapist should be called into the mix.

If you're dealing with child custody issues, and possibly fighting with a child about maintaining your parenting (read: relationship) time with that child, then this is the must-listen podcast for developing a strategy to deal with your difficult situation.

To find out more about Kylie Bigelow, check her out at MyModernLaw.com.

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Where you divorce can make a big difference. In this podcast, family law attorneys Billie Tarascio and Russell Knight break down the concerns for divorcing in different jurisdictions and why that's important.

For instance, certain states may split property differently or have more beneficial child custody laws for your particular situation. There are also rules for when and where you can take your child out of state - or out of the country - in the process of a divorce.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone starting a divorce who has connections in more than one state or area!

You can find Russell on his website at rdklegal.com and Billie at mymodernlaw.com.

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Dr. Dre, the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, has gotten notice from his wife Nicole Young that she's heading to Splitsville. She's asking for $2 million a month in spousal support in their divorce. Will she get it? How can she make her case? How should he make his case?

Family law attorneys Billie Tarascio and Darin Colburn dish on the big dollar divorce plays between a music icon and his attorney wife, who have already made mistakes by leaving their divorce details in the public record. In this podcast, Billie and Darin talk about what the couple could do to get through the split, and what their potential courtroom plays could be.

For those who are also divorcing (presumably with less money), you'll hear about some pro moves in this episode that could be used in any ugly divorce where money, privacy, and allegations of abuse are in play. This is especially important when dealing with the statute of limitations in your state and what that could mean for how money and property is split between parties.

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So now it's legal in Arizona to smoke Marijuana as of 2021. But just hold on a minute - what does that mean for you? Can you grow it? Sell it? Smoke in the car? Smoke on your walk in the park?

Now that Proposition 207 decriminalized the use of marijuana, DUI and Criminal Law Attorney Shawn B. Hamp breaks down the details. In this episode, you'll hear about the grey areas of the law, and the details about when, where, and how smoking marijuana can still get you into trouble.

Podcast Host and Family Law Attorney Billie Tarascio also asks the key questions for parents that partake in marijuana, and what that might mean for a family law case in the process. 

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When a child needs extra help at school, there are laws in place to get the right help and a plan. But it doesn't always come easily, or at all. Former special education teacher, attorney Hope Kirsch, talks with host and family law attorney Billie Tarascio about what should happen and how to get it done. Hope takes the mystery out of the system to help kids, especially ones who have divorced parents with sometimes conflicting ideas about how to resolve the needs of a child who is struggling with education issues at school. This episode is packed with great ideas and advice for co-parenting kiddos with special needs.