HISTORY

This was my most complex case, most diversified and challenging. The client (Ms. M.) engaged me initially to assist in completion of her Case Information Statement (financial affidavit for the court) in May 2008.

This was a contentious divorce with an unscrupulous spouse. The husband was an attorney. He was the CFO of his family's business, handling the finances for the two owners, his brother and sister who lived thousands of miles away.

Mr. M was investigated by the FBI during the divorce process for white collar crimes for defrauding 3 banks. He also bankrupted his family's multi-million dollar corporation. Mr. M. ultimately pled guilty to bank fraud/check kiting and was sentenced to 3 years in Federal Prison.

Working to get his wife a fair division of their assets was like swimming uphill as you will see.

CREATIVE STRATEGIES AND DIVORCE PSYCHOLOGY

Throughout the divorce proceedings, Ms. M's attorney sought out my strategic approaches which were incorporated into all negotiations, mediations and the final agreement.

We incorporated a safety net into the agreement, making certain obligations of the husband would be paid to my client from the sale of two condos, “should Mr. M. default”. For additional insurance, we included a mortgage on the properties to secure the alimony that we knew he would default on.

After two court appearances and considerable investment of time and money into the properties, the Court had to order the husband to sign the listing agreements on September 1, 2009 on the newly renovated properties.

We worked closely with the realtor on marketing and the ideal “designed to sell” appearances. Both properties had bidding wars and had contracts within 6 weeks, while the real estate market was in a depressed state.

WINNING THE FIGHT FOR FAIRNESS

The first condo sold quickly. With delays from the buyer's financing company, liens against the husband began to surface, none of them being “traditional."

One was a $250,000 bond due to his guilty plea in Federal Court. There were two $3.9 million dollar outstanding business loans. Also there was a business debt resulting from a default in a civil settlement agreement.

After two months of my intensive contact with the various attorneys involved, the liens were resolved and the second property was sold in February of 2009. My client recovered her investment and received 96% of her equitable distribution.

The mortgage funds remained in escrow. Mr. M. was holding it hostage, refusing to agree to release the money. After numerous attempts at negotiation for the release of the funds that represented the alimony, my client retained her last attorney to go to court in January 2011.

I prepared the Certification with the numerous exhibits from the entire case history. Finally my client received the full $75,000 in alimony arrears and her attorney’s fees.