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How To Prevent Your Spouse From Stealing Your Identity And Ruining Your Credit
Posted by: Marshall Waller
December 16, 2008

For criminals who want to commit identity theft, it is relatively easy. They can steal your mail, look through your trash, pose as legitimate agencies via email or online, etc... Now, imagine if that person has immediate access to all your personal information because he or she lives in your home. Though it is an awful scenario to consider, at the Law offices of Feinberg & Waller, APC, we have found that desperate and angry wives and husbands have stooped to the level of stealing their spouse's identity. Whether it is in an attempt to ruin them financially or not, the end result of potential financial disaster is the same.

So, how can you protect yourself? Chances are that your spouse knows your social security number, birth date, and/or driver's license number. You can ask him or her to forget them, but that probably won't be very effective. Your best bet is to keep a watchful eye. This means if you have a credit card or bank account in just your name, monitor it. Regularly inspect your financial statements. Review accounts and billing statements, looking for charges you did not make.

Run a regular credit inspection. The law requires that each of the three major nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion -give you a free copy of your credit report every year. So ask for it. But don't stop at one. It might be best to run a report on yourself every few months or less.

Finally, you can file a "fraud alert" on your credit reports. This tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. And then close any accounts that you don't need or you think your spouse might be accessing.

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Life After Divorce - Getting Involved with Philanthropic Causes
Posted by: Marshall Waller
December 16, 2008

If you find yourself with more free time after your divorce and are looking for something both productive and fulfilling, there are many different outlets available to you. Immersing yourself in philanthropy can be an incredibly fruitful experience with ancillary benefits. Philanthropic endeavors do not have to center around donating money. An able and helping hand is often what many non-profit organizations seek.

A newly divorced person seeking a new outlet for his or her time has many different worthy cause options where they can get involved. Often churches, temples, or other spiritual centers have social help programs that are in need of extra assistance. Your enthusiastic help will be greatly appreciated and the time commitment involved is entirely up to you. Libraries and schools are understaffed and are often in desperate need of tutors, readers, and sorters. Your children may have left the nest and these schools offer you another opportunity to give positive guidance to our youth.

Combining your particular interests with social causes can be an excellent approach. Art enthusiasts can volunteer at local museums. Animal lovers might work an afternoon or two a month at the zoo. People who love to sail or fish can volunteer for clubs that offer those activities for underprivileged children that normally can not participate in those endeavors.

A creative twist can be to combine both philanthropy and social causes with exercise programs. Cancer walks, bike-a-thons, and 10k runs are all wonderful outlets for helping out a worthy cause, getting a healthy workout and meeting like-minded people -all at the same time.

These are just a few of the many ways to get involved in social causes. Whether you have been active in these causes in the past or are seeking a new outlet for your body and spirit, the community will welcome your participation. The faltering economy has put many people in a disadvantageous position and you can certainly take a stake in effecting positive change. At Feinberg & Waller, APC we have been passionate about helping children and families in need and encourage others to do the same. Many of our clients have shared with us the satisfaction that they have received from getting involved and helping out in the community after they have divorced.

For more information on California Family law visit www.feinbergwaller.com.

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