Marital Settlement Agreement—

Form

Thomas C. Ries, Esq.

Richard B. Jacobs, Esq.

Wendy Widmann, Esq.

Deborah E. Reiser, Esq.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 1

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT .................................................................................................... 2

PRIOR AGREEMENTS .................................................................................................................. 2

SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION ......................................................................................... 2

RESERVATION OF GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE ........................................................................ 2

SEPARATION ................................................................................................................................ 3

ADDENDUM TO MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ....................................................... 5

CHILD CUSTODY ......................................................................................................................... 7

Holidays, Birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s Days ........................................................................ 8

Thanksgiving Visitation ................................................................................................................ 8

Christmas Visitation .................................................................................................................... 8

Spring/Easter Vacation ............................................................................................................... 9

Summer Visitation ....................................................................................................................... 9

Holiday Visitation Shall Supersede Normal Weekend Rotation .................................................... 9

Cooperation Between The Parties ............................................................................................. 10

Relocation ................................................................................................................................ 10

A. Notice of Change of Residence ..................................................................................... 10

B. Renegotiation of Physical Custody ................................................................................. 11

C. Indemnification of Move Without Court Order .............................................................. 11

Grandparent Visitation .............................................................................................................. 11

Transportation .......................................................................................................................... 12

Clothing .................................................................................................................................... 12

Telephone Access .................................................................................................................... 12

DECISIONS REGARDING CHILDREN’S WELFARE ............................................................... 13

Decision Making—Keep Informed ........................................................................................... 13

Decision Making—Consult ....................................................................................................... 13

Decision Making—Attempt Joint .............................................................................................. 14

Joint Legal Custody .................................................................................................................. 14

Decision Making—Primary Responsibility ................................................................................. 15

Decision Making—Tiebreaker .................................................................................................. 16

Mediation and Primary Decision Maker .................................................................................... 16

Decision Making—In the Event of an Emergency ...................................................................... 17

Decision Making—Third Party Providers .................................................................................. 18

Decision Making—Legal Name of Child ................................................................................... 18

Decision Making—Religion ....................................................................................................... 18

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION .................................................................................. 19

COSTS .................................................................................................................................... 19

CHILD SUPPORT ........................................................................................................................ 20

Child Support—Charge Generally ............................................................................................. 20

Direct Child Support Payments ................................................................................................. 21

MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT .................................................................................... 22

Extended Use and Possession of the Family Home .................................................................... 22

Acknowledgment of Earnings Withholding Order ....................................................................... 22

HEALTH INSURANCE—CHILDREN ........................................................................................ 23

UNINSURED MEDICAL EXPENSES—CHILDREN ................................................................. 24

QUALIFIED MEDICAL CHILD SUPPORT ORDER .................................................................. 25

DEPENDENCY EXEMPTION ..................................................................................................... 26

Assignment to Husband ............................................................................................................ 26

Dependency Exemption—Two Children—Split ......................................................................... 26

Dependency Exemption—One Child—Alternate ....................................................................... 27

SUMMER CAMP ......................................................................................................................... 28

PRIVATE SCHOOL ..................................................................................................................... 29

Private School—Split Expenses ................................................................................................ 29

Private School—Husband Pays ................................................................................................ 29

COLLEGE EDUCATION ............................................................................................................. 30

College—Husband Pays—Limit On Expenses .......................................................................... 30

College—Each Party Contributes .............................................................................................. 30

COSTS OF BAR/BAT MITZVAH ................................................................................................ 31

ALIMONY AND SUPPORT ........................................................................................................ 32

SAMPLE PROVISIONS ........................................................................................................ 32

Sample Provision No. 1—Modifiable Alimony .......................................................................... 33

Sample Provision No. 2—Non-Modifiable Alimony .................................................................. 34

Sample Provision No. 3—Non-Modifiable by a Court,
but subject to Arbitration .......................................................................................................... 35

Sample Provision No. 4—Modifiable in Amount,
but Non-Modifiable in Duration ................................................................................................ 36

Sample Provision No. 5—Non-Modifiable in Amount,
but Modifiable in Duration ......................................................................................................... 37

Sample Provision No. 6—2 Separate Alimony Provisions ......................................................... 38

Sample Provision No. 7—Mutual Waiver of Alimony ................................................................ 39

Sample Provision No. 8—Non-Modifiable with
Automatic Reductions Over Time .............................................................................................. 40

ADDITIONAL CLAUSES FOR ALIMONY PROVISIONS ....................................................... 42

MONETARY AWARD/PROPERTY SETTLEMENT .................................................................. 46

LIFE INSURANCE/SECURITY ................................................................................................... 47

For Benefit of Children ............................................................................................................. 47

For Benefit of Wife ................................................................................................................... 47

Wife to Own Policy on Husband’s Life ..................................................................................... 48

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR WIFE ............................................................................................ 49

Husband to Maintain for Wife ................................................................................................... 49

Health Insurance—Each Has Own Coverage ............................................................................ 50

PERSONAL PROPERTY ............................................................................................................. 51

PERSONAL PROPERTY—BANK ACCOUNTS ....................................................................... 52

PERSONAL PROPERTY—STOCKS AND SECURITIES ......................................................... 53

BOAT TRANSFER ....................................................................................................................... 55

PERSONAL PROPERTY—MISCELLANEOUS ......................................................................... 55

RETIREMENT ASSETS ............................................................................................................... 56

IRA TRANSFER ........................................................................................................................... 58

CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT .................................................................................................. 59

MILITARY RETIREMENT BENEFITS ........................................................................................ 61

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN—PROVISION FOR QDRO .............................................. 63

DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN—QDRO ........................................................................ 65

Sharing Order ........................................................................................................................... 65

Separate Interest Order ............................................................................................................ 66

General Provisions .................................................................................................................... 67

MARITAL HOME ........................................................................................................................ 68

List for Sale .............................................................................................................................. 68

Transfer Between Spouses ........................................................................................................ 69

Use and Possession, Followed by Sale or Buy-Out ................................................................... 70

SECOND HOME/VACATION HOME PROPERTY ................................................................... 73

DEBTS .......................................................................................................................................... 74

INCOME TAX RETURNS ........................................................................................................... 75

RECORDS REGARDING TRANSFERS OF PROPERTY ........................................................... 76

JEWISH DIVORCE OR “GET” .................................................................................................... 77

RELIGIOUS DIVORCE/ANNULMENT ...................................................................................... 77

INDEPENDENT COUNSEL ........................................................................................................ 78

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE ........................................................................................................ 79

COUNSEL FEES; COURT COSTS ............................................................................................. 82

MUTUAL GENERAL RELEASE .................................................................................................. 83

INCORPORATION OF AGREEMENT, WITHOUT MERGER .................................................. 84

RECONCILIATION ..................................................................................................................... 84

NON-MODIFICATION ............................................................................................................... 84

NOTICE ........................................................................................................................................ 85

FURTHER ACTS TO EFFECTUATE AGREEMENT .................................................................. 85

FREE AND VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT .................................................................................. 85

USE OF GENDER REFERENCES. .............................................................................................. 86

INTEGRATION AND FUTURE MODIFICATION ..................................................................... 86

SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS ............................................................................................ 86

GOVERNING LAW ..................................................................................................................... 86

BINDING UPON HEIRS AND ASSIGNS ................................................................................... 86

MISCELLANEOUS ...................................................................................................................... 87