© 2024 M&T Bank and its affiliates and subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
Wilmington Trust is a registered service mark used in connection with various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services offered by certain subsidiaries of M&T Bank Corporation including, but not limited to, Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company (M&T Bank), Wilmington Trust Company (WTC) operating in Delaware only, Wilmington Trust, N.A. (WTNA), Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (WTIA), Wilmington Funds Management Corporation (WFMC), Wilmington Trust Asset Management, LLC (WTAM), and Wilmington Trust Investment Management, LLC (WTIM). Such services include trustee, custodial, agency, investment management, and other services. International corporate and institutional services are offered through M&T Bank Corporation’s international subsidiaries. Loans, credit cards, retail and business deposits, and other business and personal banking services and products are offered by M&T Bank. Member, FDIC. 
M&T Bank Corporation’s European subsidiaries (Wilmington Trust (UK) Limited, Wilmington Trust (London) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (London) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (Frankfurt) GmbH and Wilmington Trust SAS) provide international corporate and institutional services.
WTIA, WFMC, WTAM, and WTIM are investment advisors registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training. Additional Information about WTIA, WFMC, WTAM, and WTIM is also available on the SEC's website at adviserinfo.sec.gov. 
Private Banking is the marketing name for an offering of M&T Bank deposit and loan products and services.
M&T Bank  Equal Housing Lender. Bank NMLS #381076. Member FDIC. 
Investment and Insurance Products   • Are NOT Deposits  • Are NOT FDIC Insured  • Are NOT Insured By Any Federal Government Agency  • Have NO Bank Guarantee  • May Go Down In Value  
Investing involves risks and you may incur a profit or a loss. Past performance cannot guarantee future results. This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any security or service. It is not designed or intended to provide financial, tax, legal, accounting, or other professional advice since such advice always requires consideration of individual circumstances. There is no assurance that any investment, financial or estate planning strategy will be successful.
Helping to make the divorce process as smooth as possible
Providing the guidance, resources, and insights you and your clients can rely on.


Matrimonial and Divorce Advisory Solutions

Our professionals in the National Matrimonial/Divorce Advisory Practice work closely with attorneys and other trusted advisors on coordinated services for those who are impacted by divorce. Learn More about our full range of services, including cash flow management, estate and tax planning, investment management, trust planning, and others. Also, find out about our approach to working with you and your clients.

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Matrimonial and Divorce Insights

Read our latest insight as featured in Family Lawyer Magazine to help with your premarital planning and to guide you through the difficult process of divorce.

Video Conversations with Sharon L. Klein, Head of National Matrimonial/Divorce Advisory Practice, Wilmington Trust

 

Wealth Shock Part 1: How Volatile Stock & Real Estate Markets are Impacting High-Asset Divorce

Sharon Klein moderates a roundtable discussion with three American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers past presidents: Alton Abramowitz, Marlene Eskind Moses, and John Slowiaczek. These experienced family lawyers discuss how volatile markets can impact high-asset divorce settlements.

Wealth Shock Part 2: How COVID Continues to Impact High-Asset Divorce

In part two of this roundtable discussion, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer Fellows discuss how Covid continues to impact high-asset divorce settlements.

Wealth Shock Part 3: Top Tips for Negotiating High-Asset Divorce Cases

In part three, these seasoned leaders offer their top strategies for reaching financial settlements in high-asset divorce cases.

Advancements in Family Law: Part I – The Business of Family

Sharon Klein moderates a roundtable discussion with the present and two past American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers presidents on what family law firms need to do to prosper in the future.

Advancements in Family Law: Part 2 – The Practice of Family Law

In part two of the roundtable discussion, the group shares insights on how the practice needs to evolve as we look to the future.

Advancements in Family Law: Part 3 – The Family Law Clients

Part three focuses on how family law firms may need to adapt to meet growing client expectations.

The Best Advice I Ever Gave to Those Navigating Divorce

Sharon Klein and three other seasoned attorneys discuss their top tips for those maneuvering through divorce and their professional advisors.

Attacking and Defending Trust Assets in Divorce

When a marriage ends and a spouse is a trust beneficiary, are the trust assets accessible or off limits in a divorce? Sharon and Elena Karabatos, partner at Schlissel Ostrow Karabatos, PLLC in New York, met with Dan Couvrette to examine what makes trusts more vulnerable to attack in divorce, as well as other considerations.

 

 

Lessons Learned from Celebrity Divorce Disasters

Using celebrity cases as illustrations, Sharon discusses the lessons learned from celebrity divorce mishaps with Family Lawyer Magazine CEO Dan Couvrette and Nancy Chemtob, a leading family law attorney in New York City.

Top Tips in Negotiating Premarital Agreements

Are you most effectively representing your clients in negotiating prenuptial agreements? Sharon and Madeline Marzano-Lesnevich, past president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, met with Dan Couvrette to outline top tips and traps in negotiating premarital agreements.

Top Tips for Negotiating Settlement Agreements

Are you aware of the analytical data and latest tax law changes that can help you most effectively represent clients at the negotiating table? Sharon Klein and Mark Bank, a founding partner of Bank Rifkin in Michigan, met with Dan Couvrette to outline important steps family lawyers should take in negotiating settlement agreements.

Leveraging Life Insurance in Settlement Agreements

Are you aware of the important steps you can take to ensure obligations are appropriately secured with life insurance pre- and post divorce? Sharon Klein and Lee Rosenberg, partner at Saltzman Chetkof & Rosenberg LLP in New York, met with Dan Couvrette to outline key guidance for leveraging life insurance in the marital planning and divorce contexts.

A Conversation with Bill LaFond, Area Executive, and Estate Planning Hall of Famer Sharon L. Klein

A Conversation with Estate Planning Hall of Famer Sharon Klein

Bill LaFond, head of the Mid-Atlantic Region and the Family Wealth division for Wilmington Trust Wealth Management, sits down with Sharon Klein to discuss her approach in advising successful families and individuals, and to learn what has made her so successful in her career.

Matrimonial and Divorce Advisory Insights

 

Foundational Considerations to Avoid Risk

Podcast: Legal Visionaries - Top Estate Planning Tips for Before, During, and after a Marriage

In this podcast, Sharon Klein joined Mary Vandenack, host of Legal Visionaries Podcast, to offer practical guidance on how to help position clients before, during, and after marriage. 

How to Stress Test a Divorce Plan

Our divorce planning experts Sharon Klein and Christy Watkins discuss ways to stress test every divorce plan so your clients can be well-positioned for the future.

Top 10 Considerations When Facing Divorce

The dissolution of marriage is one of the most stressful and difficult experiences your clients may face. Our resources can help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Four Divorce Risks Your Clients May Not Know Exist

Divorce can derail family wealth and affect generations far beyond just one couple.

 

 

Podcast: Marriage, Divorce, and Asset Protection

Learn about protecting assets before marriage and after a divorce.

Lessons Learned from the Bill and Melinda Gates Divorce

Although the complications of divorce are magnified with the breakup of this power couple, their divorce underscores many important lessons that couples generally are well-advised to heed.

 

 

Divorce During a Pandemic (and the Holidays!)

If you are one of the many people re-evaluating your marriage and considering divorce, especially during the pandemic, there are several key factors to keep in mind that could make the process go more smoothly for you.

The Best Advice I Ever Gave

Sharon Klein and three other seasoned attorneys discuss their top tips for those maneuvering through divorce and their professional advisors.


 

Massive Fortune, Bitter Court Battles Surround Definition of Grandchild for Elizabeth Hurley’s Son

Sharon Klein shares her insights on a case that has garnered intense media attention involving the disinheritance of Elizabeth Hurley's son.

Podcast: Marriage, Divorce, and Asset Protection

Learn about protecting assets before marriage and after a divorce.

Divorce During a Pandemic (and the Holidays!)

If you are one of the many people re-evaluating your marriage and considering divorce, especially during the pandemic, there are several key factors to keep in mind that could make the process go more smoothly for you.

Massive Fortune, Bitter Court Battles Surround Definition of Grandchild for Elizabeth Hurley’s Son

Sharon Klein shares her insights on a case that has garnered intense media attention involving the disinheritance of Elizabeth Hurley's son.

Premarital Planning Guide

What Family Lawyers Should Know About Premarital Estate Planning

Premarital estate planning can be key in protecting clients in the event of divorce.

Assets and Prenuptial Agreements

An overview of protecting assets with a prenuptial agreement.

Top Tips for Negotiating Premarital Agreements

Sharon Klein and Madeline Marzano-Lesnevich, past president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, discuss premarital agreements with Dan Couvrette, CEO of Family Lawyer Magazine and Divorce Marketing Group.

Tax and Planning Considerations Tips, Tricks & Traps

Podcast: Ten Tax Considerations in Divorce

Taxes may not be your clients’ top priority when you are helping them through their divorce, but many decisions made during this time can affect their situations.

What Family Law Practitioners Must Know About the New Tax Laws

Seven areas impacted by the current tax laws, including taxation of trust income and other important considerations.

Financial Aspects of Prenups

Learn how a prenuptial agreement can be an important component.

Tax Considerations in Divorce

Ten issues clients and their advisors should discuss before a divorce is finalized.

Podcast: Divorce Tax Considerations at Year End and Beyond

Learn more about key tax issues you and your client should discuss before a divorce is finalized so that you can take advantage of opportunities, maneuver around potential traps, and help position your clients for a successful settlement.

Trust Assets and Divorce: The Latest News

A discussion on the Ferri-Powell case, where a divorcing spouse was able to move tens of millions in trust assets out of reach of his ex-spouse.

Dividing Assets and Moving on After Divorce

Wealth Shock: High-Asset Divorce, Volatile Markets, and COVID

In this roundtable reprint from Family Lawyer Magazine, Sharon Klein and three presidents of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers share their thoughts on how volatile stock and real estate markets and COVID can impact property division in high-asset divorces. 

Suddenly Single: How Women Can Thrive After Divorce or Spousal Loss

Women who find themselves newly and unexpectedly single, whether a result of divorce or death or other separation, should take concrete steps to position themselves for success.

Post-Pandemic: Your Divorce and Your Financial Future

Dissolving a marriage is already a period of disruption for individuals and this process has changed post-pandemic, bringing additional and intensified emotional and financial challenges.

Podcast: Financial Information Family Lawyers Need to Negotiate a Strong Deal for Clients

Discover how financial projection analysis tools can assist your clients with navigating divorce settlements and better position them for their future.


 

The Division of Retirement Plan Assets in Divorce

Learn which estate planning documents, account titles, and beneficiary designations should be updated as soon as possible.


 

What Family Law Practitioners Must Know About Life Insurance

In many divorce proceedings, life insurance plays an integral role as part of the ultimate resolution/settlement.

How to Build Credit After Divorce

Simple steps can help build credit status.


 

Planning for Higher Education in Divorce

Don’t let college planning become an afterthought during the difficult time of divorce.


 

When Family Business Owners Get Divorced

Valuation is key to the equitable distribution of your business.


 

Estate Planning for a Pending Divorce: What Family Lawyers Must Know

Determining the proper division of retirement assets in a divorce and the actual distribution of these assets is very complex.


 

What Family Lawyers Must Know About Modifying “Irrevocable” Trust Provisions

When irrevocable trusts are drafted in happier times, and then times change, is it possible to reduce or even eliminate the interest of an ex-spouse or soon-to-be ex-spouse?

Podcast: Financial Information Family Lawyers Need to Negotiate a Strong Deal for Clients

Discover how financial projection analysis tools can assist your clients with navigating divorce settlements and better position them for their future.


 

The Division of Retirement Plan Assets in Divorce

Learn which estate planning documents, account titles, and beneficiary designations should be updated as soon as possible.


 

What Family Law Practitioners Must Know About Life Insurance

In many divorce proceedings, life insurance plays an integral role as part of the ultimate resolution/settlement.

How to Build Credit After Divorce

Simple steps can help build credit status.


 

Planning for Higher Education in Divorce

Don’t let college planning become an afterthought during the difficult time of divorce.


 

When Family Business Owners Get Divorced

Valuation is key to the equitable distribution of your business.


 

Estate Planning for a Pending Divorce: What Family Lawyers Must Know

Determining the proper division of retirement assets in a divorce and the actual distribution of these assets is very complex.


 

What Family Lawyers Must Know About Modifying “Irrevocable” Trust Provisions

When irrevocable trusts are drafted in happier times, and then times change, is it possible to reduce or even eliminate the interest of an ex-spouse or soon-to-be ex-spouse?

Contact Sharon L. Klein

“Many clients come to us at a pivotal time in their lives. Our approach is to combine empathy with experience, and we approach every situation with sensitivity and an understanding of what people are going through.”

Please reach out to me personally to learn how we can help you or your clients maneuver through the complexity of divorce, and find financial stability and peace of mind.

Sharon Klein
President, Family Wealth, Eastern U.S. Region, Head of National Matrimonial/Divorce Advisory Practice, Wilmington Trust, N.A.

212.415.0539


Have a question? We’re here to help in any way we can.

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Disclosures:

    • © 2024 M&T Bank and its affiliates and subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
    • Wilmington Trust is a registered service mark used in connection with various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services offered by certain subsidiaries of M&T Bank Corporation including, but not limited to, Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company (M&T Bank), Wilmington Trust Company (WTC) operating in Delaware only, Wilmington Trust, N.A. (WTNA), Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (WTIA), Wilmington Funds Management Corporation (WFMC), Wilmington Trust Asset Management, LLC (WTAM), and Wilmington Trust Investment Management, LLC (WTIM). Such services include trustee, custodial, agency, investment management, and other services. International corporate and institutional services are offered through M&T Bank Corporation’s international subsidiaries. Loans, credit cards, retail and business deposits, and other business and personal banking services and products are offered by M&T Bank. Member, FDIC. 
    • M&T Bank Corporation’s European subsidiaries (Wilmington Trust (UK) Limited, Wilmington Trust (London) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (London) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (Frankfurt) GmbH and Wilmington Trust SAS) provide international corporate and institutional services.
    • WTIA, WFMC, WTAM, and WTIM are investment advisors registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training. Additional Information about WTIA, WFMC, WTAM, and WTIM is also available on the SEC's website at adviserinfo.sec.gov. 
    • Private Banking is the marketing name for an offering of M&T Bank deposit and loan products and services.
    • M&T Bank  Equal Housing Lender. Bank NMLS #381076. Member FDIC. 
    • Investment and Insurance Products   • Are NOT Deposits  • Are NOT FDIC Insured  • Are NOT Insured By Any Federal Government Agency  • Have NO Bank Guarantee  • May Go Down In Value  
    • Investing involves risks and you may incur a profit or a loss. Past performance cannot guarantee future results. This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any security or service. It is not designed or intended to provide financial, tax, legal, accounting, or other professional advice since such advice always requires consideration of individual circumstances. There is no assurance that any investment, financial or estate planning strategy will be successful.