Ask Yourself How You Want to Make People Feel

A lot of us interact with others on the basis of “what do I hope to get out of this experience?” At work, we go into meetings hoping we’ll be able to say something intelligent (or, in some cases, sit quietly until the meeting is over); at home, we gather with our families at dinner in the hopes that we can convince…

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Author: Nicole Dieker

Add Handfuls of Herbs to Your Salad

When it comes to making a salad taste good, a lot of people lean very heavily on the dressing and, to a slightly lesser extent, cheese. I love dressing and cheese, but too much of either can weigh a salad down, and rob it of its freshness. To boost the flavor while keeping your salad salad-y, add large handfuls of…

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Author: Claire Lower on Skillet, shared by Claire Lower to Lifehacker

Calculate How Many Days You Have Been a Parent

Have you ever wondered exactly how many days you’ve been a parent? No? Well, me neither. That is, until I saw this post on Facebook by Adore Them Parenting. I couldn’t help myself and now you won’t be able to; responses in the comments of the post ranged from a precious 70 days to an impressive 17,450.

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Author: Meghan Moravcik Walbert on Offspring, shared by Meghan Moravcik Walbert to Lifehacker

Possible complications in splitting an IRA in divorce

When people in Texas get a divorce, they may have retirement accounts to divide. Certain types of retirement plans must be split using a document called a qualified domestic relations order. A marital separation agreement or divorce decree is necessary when splitting an IRA. While this is normally a straightforward process, if the person who owns the IRA has been taking 72(t) distributions, there might be complications.

People are not supposed to take distributions from an IRA until they reach the age of 59 1/2. There are a few exceptions in which it is permitted, such as distributions to pay for certain medical or educational expenses. However, if there is a modification to the account, there is a retroactive 10% penalty on the distributions. According to IRS regulations, splitting an account in a divorce appears to fit the definition of a modification.

When a point of tax law is unclear, individuals can seek what is known as a private letter ruling. These are public but are only supposed to apply to the individual’s case. In PLRs about this issue, the IRS has not penalized individuals. It is impractical for many people to seek PLRs due to their cost and the time it takes, so people with 72(t) distributions who are getting a divorce may want to consult a financial professional.

In a community property state like Texas, couples are supposed to split property equally in a divorce. One alternative to dividing a retirement account might be for one person to keep the retirement account and the other to keep a piece of property of similar value, such as a home. Costs such as taxes on distributions from the retirement account or upkeep on the home should be taken into account when comparing these values.


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Author: On behalf of Katie L. Lewis of Katie L. Lewis, P.C. Family Law