Powerball Play Odds--How to Win the Lotto in Divorce in South Florida

In less than 12 hours somebody ( or somebodies) could become a billionaire and a half (That's another $500,000,000, in case you were counting). Of course, that's before Uncle Sam takes his share, but who are we kidding, there'd still be plenty to go around. Yes, at 10:59 tonight, this country's richest Powerball Jackpot will be up for grabs. Of course, your odds of winning, according to the statisticians, is 292.2 million to 1. So there's a staggeringly low chance you who are reading this blog are going to be the winner. But I could be wrong. Still, there is a much, much greater chance that you will, at some time in your life, get divorced (assuming you are married to begin with- since the only way to totally avoid divorce is not to marry in the first place). Yup, according to those statisticians again, your odds of divorcing are 50/50. Now, I am sure you'd rather have the deck stacked that way for tonight's drawing, but hey, we can all fantasize. But let's go with the fantasy for a moment. It's free, so what the heck. You look at the numbers and, on your last ticket- you got it, Powerball and all. Now, if your marriage sucked before the drawing, is it going to be any better afterwards? Let me share a secret with you---the answer is a resounding "no." Although money can solve some problems, it is not the cure-all for a bad marriage. The only thing that a lotto win brings to a couple on the brink of divorce is more money they have to fight about. So how does one win the lotto in divorce? First, although the odds are better of getting a divorce than winning the lotto, so are the odds of staying married. Try that first...communicate, and don't think winning the lotto will cure a bad marriage. Second, if divorce is inevitable, plan ahead. It is not a bad idea to consult with a Broward, Palm Beach or Miami-Dade divorce attorney before you actually decide to file for divorce. Remember that adage, "failing to plan, is planning to fail." You don't want to be caught short changed, literally and figuratively. Third, save up some funds. Couples splitting up often find themselves short of funds. Clearly, two people, or a family, can live more cost effectively in one home than two. Two homes will come in a divorce, sometimes sooner than later, so it is a good idea to have a reserve fund on hand. Also, you will need to retain an attorney, and, contrary to popular belief, practicing law is not a hobby to most of us. Although the spouse with less income can request that the wealthier spouse pay fees, most attorneys will not work without at least a good faith retainer to begin a case. Fourth, remember, time is money. That means, the more you fight, the more it costs both your spouse and you. So many issues can be resolved in significantly less time if the parties try to cooperate and timely provide documents that are requested, be straightforward, leave pettiness out and remember that the kids are not objects to be fought over. Fifth, chose your attorney wisely. Attorneys are often referred to as "counselors at law." Well, in the family law arena, that counselor role frequently goes beyond legal counsel. Check references, ask friends for referrals, read reviews (understanding that there may be the "odd" review where somebody was not happy- but make sure that's the exception and not the rule), talk to the attorney. Does the person sound like you are the "next in line" at the deli, or does the attorney seem like someone you could work with and rely on. Sixth, try to give your spouse the advice in #5 above. Truly, sometimes clients come to me, and when they tell me the attorney their spouses have hired, I up my retainer because I know that the opposing counsel is not easy to work with, will not have documents to me on time, I can't trust them ( an, unfortunately, growing number) and they know the more they do-and I mean the unnecessary things- the more they make. Okay, so I confess, I wanted to give this blog a snappy and timely title. There is no lotto to win in divorce.(though sometimes it seems closer with a good result) But, if you follow the steps above, the process can be a lot smoother, a lot less expensive, a lot less stressful, and the aftermath will leave you with some money to buy a few more tickets for the next Powerball. And, on the 292.2 million off chance that I win tonight, no worries, I'll be here tomorrow to take care of my clients and make sure their cases are handled and resolved. But I might take a little longer vacation next time. For everyone else, go on, be the eternal optimist. But you'll still be in the same position tomorrow, no lotto win, and the same marriage, good or bad. If it's the latter and you're in Broward, Palm Beach or Miami-Dade Counties in Florida, let me know if I can help you. Cindy Vova Law Offices of Cindy S. Vova, P.A. 8551 West Sunrise Blvd., Suite 301 Plantation, FL 33322 954-316-3496 info@vovalaw.com Visit our website: www.vovalaw.com

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS…OR HOW TO LOSE AT LEAST 100 POUNDS

With the celebrations of the last two weekends now behind us, it is time to get down to the serious business of 2016…a new year. Customarily, we all make some New Year’s resolutions, whether in the form of a literal or mental list, of things we want to do and things we want to change in the New Year. Statistically, though, most of these resolutions are broken within the first 30 days. One of the top ten resolutions made each year is to lose weight. This is where I can help because, for over 30 years my clients, on average, have lost over 100 pounds! This is what I commonly call the “Divorce Diet,” where shedding an unwanted spouse, almost without exception, also allows you to lose upwards of 100 pounds. Before starting this diet, however, as with any weight loss program, it is highly suggested that you consult your doctor. In this case, however, my suggestion is that the type of doctor you consult is a psychologist, because going through a divorce is going to put a lot of stress on your head as well as your heart. Of course, there are side effects as well, where the stress of going through a divorce frequently results in my clients truly losing weight from their own bodies, and then there is the resultant need to get a new wardrobe, have cosmetic surgery and start new lives…because, yes, there IS life after divorce. Now, hopefully you appreciated the sardonic humor in my “Divorce Diet.” Truly, I am not advocating that anyone try to lose weight with the aforementioned method. In fact, as we begin a new year, it is a good time to assess your relationships and count the blessing for what you have and what you can do individually, and as a couple, to make your relationship stronger. That may even mean going to see one of those “doctors” mentioned above, and hey, healing the mind is as important as healing the body. On the other hand, if you take the time to assess your marriage, or have already taken the time prior to the beginning of the year to do this and, after deep soul searching, truly believe that, to quote Humpty Dumpty, “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men” can’t put your marriage together again, then 2016 is the best time to move forward and move on. If the marriage can’t get better it will only go south, and not too many people want to go in that direction. So, as you return to your normal routine this week, think about that resolution list. You may not be able to keep all the resolutions you made, but if moving on from a bad marriage, remember you don’t have to do it alone. Here’s to what I hope will be a good year for all, with or without a weight loss program! -Cindy S. Vova Law Office of Cindy S. Vova, P.A. 8551 West Sunrise Blvd. Suite 301 Plantation, FL 33322 954.316.3496 info@vovalaw.com