HOME Safe Harbor 401(k) – A safe harbor 401(k) is similar to a traditional 401(k) plan, but the employer is required to make contributions for each employee. The employer contributions in Safe Harbor 401(k) plans are immediately 100 percent vested. The Safe Harbor 401(k) eases administrative burdens on employers by eliminating some of the complex tax rules ordinarily applied to traditional 401(k) plans. Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers (SIMPLE) – A plan in which a small business with 100 or fewer employees can offer retirement benefits through employee salary reductions and matching contributions (similar to those found in a 401(k) plan). It can be either a SIMPLE IRA or a SIMPLE 401(k). SIMPLE IRA plans impose few administrative burdens on employers because IRAs are owned by the employees and the bank or financial institution receiving the funds does most of the paperwork. While each has some different features, including contribution limits and the availability of loans, required employer contributions are immediately 100 percent vested in both. Section 71 Payments – Section 71 is a Section of the IRS Code, which states that alimony, and separate maintenance payments generally are taxable to the recipient and deductible from gross income by the payor. These payments can be treated as alimony for tax purposes if;
Additionally, Section 71 requires that if the payor of alimony want to deduct alimony payments over $15,000 per year, payment must last for at least three years. If this requirement is not met, payments are subject to recapture rules. Separate Property – Generally considered any property owned before marriage (earned or acquired by gift or inheritance), acquired during the marriage by one partner using only that partner’s separate property, or earned after a formalized agreement. Separation – where the parties “live separate and apart” and has important consequences for support and the characterization of property. Property acquired after the date of separation is separate property. Service – Providing a copy of the papers being filed to the opposing party. Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) – A plan in which the employer makes contributions on a tax-favored basis to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) owned by the employees. If certain conditions are met, the employer is not subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of most retirement plans. Under a SEP, an IRA is set up by or for an employee to accept the employer’ s contributions. Sole Custody – In Sole custody the custodial parent has the power to make all decisions, both day-to-day and major decisions concerning the child’s health, education and welfare without consulting or notifying the non-custodial parent. Spousal Support (in other jurisdictions referred to as Alimony or Maintenance – Periodic payments (not child support) to a former spouse for support at the former marital standard of living. The paying spouse may deduct these payments, and the receiving spouse must declare them as income if they are “periodic” (payable over a definite period) and meet the criteria outlined under IRS Code Section 71. Once an underlying action for dissolution of marriage or legal separation has been filed, the Court can address the issue of spousal support in the underlying action. There is no legal obligation to pay spousal support by one parent to another other until there is a Court order. In limited situations, the Court can order spousal support in a nullity action. A Court order is obtained by filing a hearing. The judge will consider many things when deciding what spousal support to order. Examples of some things the judge may consider are:
Either spouse can later ask the judge to change the support amount if the situation changes. Spouse – Husband or wife. Stipulation – An agreement between the parties or their counsel, usually related to matters of procedure. Subpoena – A court order requiring a person’s appearance in court or depositions as a witness or to present documents or other evidence for a case. Summary Dissolution of Marriage - This action can be used by a married couple to end the marriage. This action is very limited and can only be used by a married couple which meets the following requirements: The parties have been married less than five (5) years as of the date the action is filed. There are no children together born before or during the marriage, including by adoption, and the Wife, to her knowledge, is not pregnant as of the date the action is filed. Neither party has any interest/ownership in real estate. The married couple jointly signs the necessary paperwork and the originals are filed with the Court. After waiting six (6) months, either party can file the document requesting that the marriage be ended. Summary Plan Description – A document provided by the plan administrator that includes a plain language description of important features of the plan, e.g., when employees begin to participate in the plan, how service and benefits are calculated, when benefits become vested, when payment is received and in what form, and how to file a claim for benefits. Participants must be informed of material changes either through a revised Summary Plan Description or in a separate document called a Summary of Material Modifications. Summons – A Summons notifies a spouse of his/her rights and obligations in responding to the Complaint for Divorce. Back to Glossary return to top of page < HOME Contact a Lawyer Divorce at Law Offices of Warren R. Shiell today! Please call to make an appointment at 310.247.9913. © 2009 Warren R. Shiell. All rights reserved. Lawyer Divorce and Family Law Attorney. The information contained in this website is an "Advertisement." It is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this Website shall be deemed to create an Attorney-Client relationship. An Attorney-Client relationship shall only be created when this office agrees to represent a Client and a Client signs a written retainer agreement. |
PRACTICE AREAS |
RESOURCES |
OFFICE LOCATION 1875 Century Park East, Suite 600 Los Angeles, CA 90067 tel. (310) 247-9913 fax. (310) 276-0313 |