1. WELCOME
XCLUSIVE HOMES

2. Learn how to farming Divorce and recently widowed families

3. The market for real estate professionals is enormous
The market for real estate professionals is enormous. The current increase in divorces caused by the economic crisis is creating even higher demand for Real Estate Divorce Specialist.

4. Divorcing couples are going through one of the most stressful times in their lives, and they need all the help they can get. Not just anyone's help, but knowledgeable help 

5. Benefits of Certification
• Increase referrals.
• Stand out from the crowd. 
• Increase effectiveness.
• Increase networking opportunities. 
• Gain publicity.
• Decrease marketing
costs. 
• Earn more money! 

6. 7 Secrets to Real Estate and Divorce
1. There is a way for both parties to get the $250,000 exclusion when the house is sold, even many years later.
2. It is possible for down payment money to come from the ex-spouse's 401k without having to pay the 10% penalty.
3. A married person can sell property that is titled in his or her own name, prior to filing of the divorce, without the consent of his or her spouse.
4. If a lis pendens is filed by one spouse in a divorce case, it ties up the sale of their real estate property as it affects the title of the property.
5. It is necessary to disclose to potential buyers that the property sale is the result of a divorce.
6. If a divorcing couple agrees to have you sell their house, and one of them files for bankruptcy before the closing, you probably won't receive your commission.
7. During separation when one party is living in the marital home but not maintaining the home in a manner that is conducive to showing the property, the court can resolve disputes about notice of unsatisfactory conditions.

7. Become a Certified Divorce Real Estate Professional (CDREP)
CDREP certification is recognized as the standard of excellence in the divorce real estate field. Having your CDREP certification enables you to stand out in the industry and communicates your expertise and credibility to your clients and referral partners. Learn to be ahead of the referral by being involved during the divorce process and not a post decree referral.
The Certified Divorce Real Estate Professional certification program is available as a self-paced / online self-study program. Access to self study materials including training videos are accessible on the member secure site along with testing information.

8. 10 things to know about a farming divorce
1. Alternatives to the courts
2. Who owns what?
3. Preserving assets
4. Disclosure
5. Protect and preserve
6. Online access
7. Get sound advice
8. Update your will
9. Legal costs
10. Agreements

9. Tax aspects of divorce and separation

10. When it comes to legal separation or divorce, there are many complex situations to address. A divorcing couple faces many important decisions and issues regarding alimony, child support, and the fair division of property. While most courts and judges will not factor in the impact of taxes on a potential property settlement or cash payments, it is important to realize how the value of assets transferred can be materially affected by the tax implications.

11. Dependents
One of the most argued points between separating couples regarding taxes is who gets to claim the children as dependents on their tax return, since joint filing is no longer an option. The reason this part of tax law is so important to divorcing parents is that the federal and state exemptions allowed for dependents offer a significant savings to the custodial parent, and there are also substantial child and educational credits that can be taken. The right to claim a child as a dependent from birth through college can be worth over $30,000 in tax savings. The law states that one parent must be chosen as the head of the household, and that parent may legally claim the dependents on his or her return.

12. Alimony
Alimony is another controversial area for separated or divorced couples, mostly because the payer of the alimony wants to deduct as much of that expense as possible, while the recipient wants to avoid paying as much tax on that income as he or she can. On a yearly tax return, the recipient of alimony is required to claim that money as taxable income, while the payer can deduct the payment, even if he or she chooses not to itemize.

13. Property
Many aspects of property settlements are too numerous and detailed to discuss at length, but separating couples should be aware that, when it comes to property distributions, basis should be considered very carefully when negotiating for specific assets.

14. Retirement
When a couple splits up, the courts have the authority to divide a retirement plan (whether it's an account or an accrued benefit) between the spouses. If the retirement money is in an IRA account, the individuals need to draw up a written agreement to transfer the IRA balance from one spouse to the other.

15. Tax Prepayment and Joint Refunds
When a couple prepays taxes by either withholding wages or paying estimated taxes throughout the year, the withholding will be credited to the spouse who earned the underlying income. In community property states, the withholding will be credited equally when spouses each report half of their income.

16. Legal and Other Expenses
To the dismay of most divorcing couples, the massive legal bills most end up paying are not deductible at tax time because they are considered personal nondeductible expenses. On the other hand, if a part of that bill was allocated to tax advice, to securing alimony, or to the protection of business income, those expenses can be deducted when itemizing.

17. Nearly everyone wishes to age in place as they grow older
Nearly everyone wishes to age in place as they grow older. But often, the spacious family house becomes too burdensome, financially and physically, to maintain for individuals over 50.

18. Resources for buyers and sellers over 50
REALTORS® who carry the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) designation are specially qualified to address the real estate needs of those age 50+.
SRES® designees recognize that a home often is the largest and most precious asset that baby boomers and people 50+ have.
Thus, SRES® designees bring a unique approach to each transaction and interaction with clients. They not only offer a deep knowledge of real estate and the local and economic issues shaping market trends, but they're also educated on issues of particular concern to aged 50+ clients.

19. How to Earn Your SRES®
Three (3) requirements must be met to attain and use the SRES® designation:
• Successful completion of the two-day SRES® designation course, including an 80% passing grade on the exam.
• Active membership in the National Association of REALTORS®.
• Active membership in the SRES® Council. (New designees receive one-year membership in the Seniors Real Estate Council® FREE. Annual dues are $99 each year thereafter.)

20. SRES® Member Benefits
The SRES® Council trains REALTORS® to meet the special needs of maturing Americans when selling, buying, relocating, or refinancing residential or investment properties. The Council tracks the over 50 lifestyle and housing issues and educates REALTORS® who are making over 50 real estate a part of their overall business plan. By earning the SRES® designation, REALTORS® are prepared to approach mature clients with the best options and information for them to make life-changing decisions.
Seniors Real Estate Specialists® learn how to:
• Identify the power of generational demographics
• Develop and maintain relationship marketing skills
• Counsel rather than sell to seniors
• Use team-building skills with other seniors professionals
• Understand the implications of tax laws, probate and estate planning
• Create a point of difference from the competition

21. Over 50 Housing and Living Options
Trying to get up to speed on all the new over 50 housing options?
SRES® designees can offer insight on creative new options, such as intentional communities and co-housing environments, as well as more traditional housing choices, including:
• Independent Living
• Active Adult Communities
• Assisted Living Communities
• Adult Family Homes
• Alzheimer's and Dementia Care
• Continuing Care Retirement Living Communities
• Weighing the Options

22. Legal Considerations With
Senior Homes
An attorney could be beneficial in many parts of the sale of a senior home and the moving process, including:
• Estate and trust planning to minimize taxation on the sale of senior homes
• Power of attorney and healthcare directives in the event of a parental illness, incapacity or death during the listing period or prior to the closing
• Disposition of personal property/senior homes in a will
• Examining potential effects of the sale of a senior home on other sources of income and benefits
• Reviewing all documents and contracts related to the sale of a senior home
• Identifying and assessing qualification for senior assistance programs
• Assessing and reviewing contracts with residence facilities such as assisted-living centers and senior nursing homes

23. Legal Considerations With
Senior Homes
Elder law attorneys understand issues specific to seniors and have extensive knowledge across a number of senior-related areas. According to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, some of these issues include:
• Preservation/transfer of assets to avoid spousal impoverishment when spouse enters a senior nursing home
• Medicaid planning
• Medicare claims and appeals
• Social security and disability claims and appeals
• Disability planning, including use of durable power of attorney, living trusts, and "living wills," for financial management and healthcare decisions, and other means of delegating management and decision-making to another in case of incompetency or incapacity

24. Legal Considerations With
Senior Homes
• Conservatorships and guardianships
• Estate planning, including planning for the management of one's estate during life and its disposition on death through use of trusts, wills and other planning documents
• Probate
• Administration and management of trusts and estates
• Long-term care placements in senior nursing homes and life care communities
• Nursing home issues including patient's rights and nursing home quality
Elder abuse and fraud recovery cases
• Retirement, including public and private retirement benefits, survivor benefits and pension benefits
• Health law
• Mental health law
Most elder law attorneys do not specialize
in every one of these areas. Be sure to ask which
of these matters he/she handles.

25. Questions and Answers
Thank You