Navigating Change: Financial Insights for Divorced Employees of Patterson

Healthcare Provider Update: Patterson offers medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with HSAs and FSAs. Employees benefit from a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and voluntary benefits like accident and hospital indemnity coverage. The company subsidizes approximately 75% of healthcare costs and provides legal and identity theft protection 9. Patterson With ACA premiums expected to surge, Pattersons subsidized healthcare and flexible coverage options help employees maintain affordable access to care. Click here to learn more

The latest research suggests that divorce rates in the U.S. have been falling in recent decades. Still, many people face the difficult crossroads that comes when their marriage ends.

Getting a divorce is a painful, emotional process. Don’t be in such a hurry to reach a settlement that you make poor decisions that can have life-long consequences. For any of our Patterson clients who may possibly have to have a divorce, here are a few financial ideas that may help you prepare.

The most important task these Patterson employees can do is to get their finances organized. Identify all your assets and make copies of important financial papers, such as deeds, tax returns, and investment records. When it comes to dividing up your assets, consider mediation as a low-cost alternative to litigation. Most states have equitable-distribution laws that require shared assets to be divided 50/50 anyway. When a divorce becomes contentious, attorney’s fees can accumulate.

From a financial perspective, divorce means taking all the income previously used to run one household and stretching it out over two residences, two utility bills, two grocery lists, etc. There are other hidden costs as well, such as counseling for you or your children. Divorces also may require incurring one-time fees, such as a security deposit on a rental property, moving costs, or increased child-care.

Finally, dividing assets may sound simple but it can be quite complex. The forced sale of a home or investment portfolio may have tax consequences. Potential tax liability also can make two seemingly equal assets have varying net values. Additionally, when pulling apart a portfolio, it makes sense to consider how each asset will suit the prospective recipient in terms of risk tolerance and liquidity.

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We'd like our Patterson clients to remember, the information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.

During a divorce, many factors are competing for attention. By these Patterson employees understanding a few key concepts, they may be able to avoid making costly financial mistakes.

1. The Wall Street Journal, 2019