Dates & Times:
Day 1 – Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET
Day 2 – Tuesday, October 14, 2025 – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET
Webinar Fee: $100 - to attend BOTH DAYS
These programs are online only and will be recorded. All who register will receive a link to the video recording.
DAY 1 - Divorce of Aging Individuals: Trusts & Estates, Fiduciaries and Long-Term Care:
Divorce involving older individuals — those over 68 years of age — presents unique challenges. Issues of support, retirement, business succession planning, health, capacity, trust and estate planning, gifting and future long-term care all become relevant issues in the divorce and have game-changing legal significance. This program provides strategies for representation of older individuals, and concerns that are unique to this group.
Among the highly critical topics discussed will be the Alimony Reform Act’s treatment of individuals over 68 years of age, the impact and accommodation of diminishing capacity, Medicaid/MassHealth planning, gifting and trusts. This program will also discuss relevant caselaw and statutory law regarding divorce, inheritance, intestacy, spousal election, death during the pendency of a divorce, MassHealth Planning as part of the divorce process to protect a community spouse from impoverishment, as well as fiduciary laws such as conservatorship, guardianship and the limits of a Chapter 208 Section 15 guardian.
Faculty
- Hon. Lee Peterson, Probate & Family Court
- Lisa Cukier, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP
- Jessica Demmerly, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP
DAY 2 -Buy Low, Sell High | Marry High, Sell Low -- Navigating Property Division and Alimony in the Volatile Market of 2025
In 2025, economic volatility -- driven by fluctuating real estate values, stock market instability, and shifting interest rates -- has introduced complex variables into family law. Massachusetts’ equitable distribution and alimony frameworks require practitioners to integrate market-savvy analysis into their legal strategies.
This program provides guidance for family law attorneys on how market shifts affect property division and alimony determinations, and how to prepare arguments and settlements that reflect today’s economic uncertainty.
Under M.G.L. c. 208, §34, courts must consider the fair market value of assets as of the time of divorce. In volatile markets, that value is a moving target.
- Property valuations swing monthly
- Days on market has increased given the sluggishness of the real estate market in certain geographies.
- Retirement and Investment Accounts:
- Account balances may not reflect true or stable value
- Consider tax implications of liquidating in a down market
- Time QDROs carefully to avoid inequitable gains/losses
- Certain valuation approaches or dates may produce different results and may feel unreliable
Under the Alimony Reform Act (M.G.L. c. 208, §§48–55), alimony is based on the payor’s ability to pay and the recipient’s need. Both are now subject to unpredictable change.
- Income Instability: Professionals in tech, finance, and real estate face erratic earnings. Consider variable support structures tied to bonuses or commissions. Consider review triggers for significant economic shifts.
- Consider using CPA’s, forensic accountants, and valuation experts who understand modern asset classes and compensation structures.
- Anticipate future modifications due to inflation, job changes, or economic upticks and downturns.
- In settlement agreements, build in flexibility
The intersection of economic volatility and equitable distribution demands technical fluency and strategic foresight. This program will provide you with the ability to anticipate, strategize, and plan the course of your client representation in the 2025 financial market.
Faculty
- Hon. Jennifer Bingham, Probate & Family Court
- Lisa Cukier, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP
- Gabrielle Denby, Esq., Rubin & Rudman LLP
- Robert Sanders, CFA, Senior Vice President, Woodstock
- Lisa Supple, MS, Vice President, Woodstock
The views and opinions expressed in programs offered by the Social Law Library are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Library. Online registration is encouraged. For assistance, questions on group discounts, accommodations requests, special billing, program content, out-of-state CLE credits, and general contact CLE Coordinator, Michael Saporito by email at msaporito@socialaw.com. Registrations accepted in order of receipt. Registration fees are non-refundable. Most Social Law Library CLE events are recorded and recordings are sent to all who are registered. The recording is available by digital download, generally within a week after the program date. CLE credit, when applicable, is only granted when 80 % of the live webinar is attended. To insure getting the video, please register.