Tim (not his real name) and his live-in girlfriend come to meet me. Jamie wants to get married, “We’ve been living together for five years and it’s time!” she says. “I have been more than patient, but ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Erika Rasure is globally-recognized as a leading consumer economics subject matter expert, ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Patricia writes about family law and tips for female lawyers. You should not quit your job to avoid paying alimony, maintenance or ...

They may differ, for instance, in what defines grounds for divorce and what defines separation. And they will govern how long you must be separated before finalizing a divorce, as well as how assets ...