By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: November 30, 2025 The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy—sparkling lights, festive gatherings, family traditions, cozy moments by the fire. You see the Hallmark movies on TV and you hear the holiday songs piping out on your radio. Everything is magical and perfect at this time of the year, right? The reality is that for many people living in a toxic relationship or contemplating divorce, the holidays can feel less like a celebrat

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. & Andrea Maldonado, Esq. Date: November 17, 2025 Divorce can be a complex and emotionally challenging process, but it also presents a crucial time to reassess your financial and estate planning strategies. Many professionals suggest that you re-visit your estate planning documents periodically – which, of course, is a good suggestion- but rarely do we hear attorneys propose that you do this when getting divorced or separated. As you navigate the dis

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: October 17, 2025 Divorce isn’t supposed to feel like a horror movie—but for thousands of people in New York, that’s exactly what it becomes. The eerie silence in the courtroom (when it's quiet there), the endless paperwork, the constant feeling that you’ve lost control of your own life—it’s a real-life nightmare that too many people walk into without realizing what’s waiting on the other side. At Divorce Den, we believe people deserve the trut

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: October 16, 2025 Let’s be honest — “’til death do us part” sounded romantic when you were 27, drunk on love (and maybe champagne). But now? You’re exhausted, anxious, and feeling more like your husband’s unpaid therapist or his housekeeper, than his partner. The truth is, life is short. Too short to spend it walking on eggshells, crying in your car, or pretending everything’s fine for the holiday card. And this is not even accounting for the poss

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: August 11, 2025 Photo courtesy of Photo by Emiliano Vittoriosi  on Unsplash Marriage can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences — but only if it’s built on a foundation of respect, trust, and mutual support. Unfortunately, many women enter marriage ignoring relationship warning signs, hoping love will be enough to make it work. The truth? Most of the problems that end marriages were there from the start — subtle at first, but impossible to i

Photo by Vitaly Gariev  on Unsplash By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: August 13, 2025 Divorce is rarely caused by a single issue; instead, it’s often the result of ongoing challenges that wear down a marriage over time. One less-discussed but powerful dynamic that contributes to marital breakdown is weaponized incompetence —a manipulative tactic where one partner deliberately avoids responsibilities by pretending to be incapable. This behavior creates imbalance and resentment, un

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: August 8, 2025 Have you ever found yourself asking, "Why do I feel so drained int his relationship—so stuck—even when nothing explosive is happening?"  If so, you're not alone. Emotional entanglement in a toxic relationship can feel like you're being held hostage by someone else's mood swings, or their outbursts, or their manipulations. And, even if you are not ready to leave that relationship just yet. you can still reclaim your peace, by saying

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: July 15, 2025 Is Collaborative Divorce the answer to avoiding a messy court battle? Discover the five key indicators that this comprehensive approach might be the right fit, for your situation. When Alex and Morgan decided to divorce after 12 years of marriage, their friends and family had plenty of advice: "Get the meanest lawyer you can find." "Hide your assets." "Prepare for war." But Alex and Morgan kept coming back to the same realization- t

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: July 10, 2025 What would you do? Jill thought she had it all figured out. At 58, her youngest had graduated college, her mortgage was nearly paid off, and retirement was finally within reach. Then came the conversation that changed everything: Jack said, "I think we should get divorced." Jill is not alone. For people ages 65 and older, the divorce rate was 15% in 2022, about triple of such rates in the 1990s. While divorce rates among younger Am

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: June 14, 2025 When we think of divorce, we often picture two people simply growing apart. Or we imagine a couple yelling at each other and both being so angry, they can no longer live together. But for many women, the story is more subtle, more painful, more complex — and perhaps far more dangerous to ignore. If your partner shows signs of narcissistic tendencies, the time to pay attention isn’t during the divorce... it’s long before . Because by

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: June 10, 2025 When most people think about divorce, they imagine the way it's portrayed on television; lots of courtroom drama, the ah-ha moments of catching one spouse cheating or the quick resolution t all of life's problems. Or, people think of how it went for their cousin; exorbitant legal fees, months (or even years) of emotional exhaustion and walking away feeling completely defeated. Either way- both sound terrible, right? What if we tol

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: May 20, 2025 Going through divorce is hard. As a divorce attorney, I can tell you that for certain. But, what I cannot tell you is just how much the divorce will affect you while you are managing anxiety, depression, or trauma. That’s a whole different level of stress and you need a whole different level of support to help in that area; instead of just the court system. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so there is no better time to discuss t

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: April 20, 2025 Springtime is here, and so is Easter. And while the season may bring up images of pastel baskets, joyful egg hunts, and family dinners, it can also bring up a different set of emotions for divorced parents—tension, confusion, and conflict. The reality of co-parenting through the holidays can be overwhelming, especially when extended family expectations, travel schedules, and emotional triggers all collide. But here’s the truth: you

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: March 21, 2025 Getting served with divorce papers can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. If you're in New York and find yourself getting handed a pile of divorce papers from a process server, it's important to know what to do next. Understanding the process and how to protect your rights can help you navigate the next steps with greater clarity and confidence. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the essential steps you need to tak

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: March 19, 2025 Choosing the right divorce attorney is absolutely crucial when it comes to navigating the complexities of any divorce proceedings. A good attorney can guide you through the legal maze, advocate for your interests, and help you reach a fair resolution that will work for your unique situation. However, all attorneys are not created equally and not every attorney is the right fit for you and your situation. Here are ten red flags to w

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: March 11, 2025 Knowing when it's time to get a divorce is one of the most difficult and emotional decisions many individuals will face. Whether you and your spouse have been unhappy for years or you are experiencing a sudden shift in your relationship, or even your own perception of the relationship, the realization that your marriage is no longer working can bring up a whirlwind of emotions. These feelings can include confusion, fear, guilt, or

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. February 26, 2025 Divorce is often a complex and multifaceted experience, encompassing emotional, financial, and practical challenges. Among the various dynamics that can contribute to the breakdown of a marriage, weaponized incompetence  has emerged as a critical concept deserving attention. I am sure many of you have heard this phrase on social media, describing the dynamics of certain relationships. The term refers to a deliberate tactic employed by

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. February 12, 2025 Photo by freestocks  on Unsplash Valentine’s Day is typically seen as the ultimate celebration of love. It’s a time for couples to show their affection through gestures, gifts, and quality time spent together. For many, it’s the pinnacle of romance. But for some couples, the holiday brings more than just love—it brings a harsh reality check. If you’re in a marriage that’s facing difficulties, Valentine’s Day can serve as a painful rem

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: February 12, 2025 Photo by Andra C Taylor Jr  on Unsplash As we celebrate Black History Month, it's important to reflect on the stories of resilience, strength, and perseverance that have shaped the Black community. While history often highlights figures for their groundbreaking achievements in the arts, politics, and civil rights, the personal challenges they’ve faced—particularly in their relationships—are sometimes overlooked. Divorce, is a de

By: Elizabeth Vaz, Esq. Date: January 14, 2025 Photo by CoWomen  on Unsplash Divorce is one of life’s most stressful and challenging events. Take it from me. I have been a divorce attorney for over a decade and divorce is not only painful for the couple directly involved, but also for their families, friends, and even their co-workers and the general workplace. While many companies’ Human Resources and Management Teams tend to focus on metrics like productivity and perform