In the State of California, retirement benefits are considered a form of employment compensation. Thus, the community estate owns the pension rights that pertain to employment during the marriage. This holds true regardless whether the pension benefits have vested or matured. The division of pension benefits between the separate and community estates must be “reasonable…
One of the most significant challenges attorneys usually face in divorce cases concerns issues related to the family home. Should your client buy out the other party? Should your client allow the other party to buy out the home? Would it be better if the parties sell the home and split the proceeds? Or, perhaps…
Over the previous four issues of Forensic Accounting Today, I have provided an overview of how law practices account for revenue and expenses, and introduced the background of an actual case study concerning income reporting. In this issue, I am providing the final portion of the case study. If you would like to review part…
Over the previous three issues of Forensic Accounting Today, I have provided an overview of how law practices account for revenue and expenses, and introduced the background of an actual case study concerning income reporting. In this issue, I am providing the continuation of the case study, focusing on calculation of unreported income. If you…
In the last two issues of Forensic Accounting Today, I provided an overview of how law practices account for income and expenses, and introduced the background of an actual case study concerning income reporting. In this issue, I am providing the continuation of the case study. If you would like to review the initial Part…
In the last issue of Forensic Accounting Today, I provided an overview of how law practices account for income and expenses, including insight into how an attorney can possibly underreport his or her income. In this issue, I am presenting you with an actual case study concerning income reporting. The basis for this book chapter…
The following is an excerpt from “Income Reconstruction: A Guide to Discovering Unreported Income,” published by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It provides insight into how a Forensic Accountant would trace nondisclosed income in one particular type of business. Overview of Law Practices:Reporting Income It is important to understand how law practices account…
By Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA Not all marital dissolution cases require the services of a Forensic Accountant. However, many of the more complicated cases in this ever complex and changing area of law do. Some of the reasons to retain a Forensic Accountant are as follows: When unreported or underreported income…
Many people hear the term “fiduciary duty” and think it only applies to business relationships. In fact, divorcing spouses owe a fiduciary duty to each other. This means they must deal with each other fairly in the division of their assets, even when the assets include cryptocurrency. The Meaning of “Fiduciary Duty” in a Divorce…
The differences in allocation of costs in a traditional litigated divorce versus a collaborative law case. Many individuals are concerned about fees when hiring a collaborative team versus an attorney for a divorce case. It appears expensive to the public to be retaining up to Six members of a collaborative team (Two attorneys, One financial…