In a divorce, both spouses are required to fully disclose their assets. This disclosure is considered a "fiduciary duty" that are very serious, very important and essential disclosure for both parties to a dissolution proceeding. Disclosing assets is necessary in order to ensure that they are fairly divided. In a perfect world, both spouses would be honest about which assets they have and how much each asset was worth. Mutual honesty would allow dissolution proceedings to move smoothly and get both spouses situated in their new, separate lives. Unfortunately, though, honesty is often one of the first casualties in a divorce. One spouse may try to cheat financially, either hiding or undervaluing their assets. Often, the other spouse may never realize that financial cheating has taken place. If the spouse does detect cheating, however, they can take legal action against their ex-partner. Legal action in this case means filing a claim for breach of fiduciary duty.
Should Society Have a Responsibility Regarding the Octuplets?
By now of course everyone has heard the story of Nadya Suleman, the 33 year old Southern California woman who recently gave birth to the longest-living set of octuplets children in human history. The reporting of this story has been an interesting ride. Initially hailed as a "miracle," upon further examination, however, the tide of kindness flowing towards Ms. Suleman has waned. Instead, there now exists a range of emotions on this subject that include shock, outrage, disbelief and resentment. The reason for this turn of sentiments is the discovery that Ms. Suleman already has six other children (all under 8 years of age) at home, and that this home is actually the 1550 square foot residence she shares with her mother and these children. Unemployed, unmarried and mother to fourteen children, all under the age of eight. And, were that not enough, these last eight were evidently the result of a conscious decision on Ms. Suleman's part, it having been reported by ABC News that the children were conceived through IVF (In Vitro Fertilization).
