By Tammy J. Arquette, Esq.
Small business owners typically put in many hours per week to operate and sustain the success of their company. They make investments of money, time and sweat equity.
They take on debt. And they utilize various experts to assist in the operation of the business, from accountants and lawyers to insurance and real estate professionals. Statistically, 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce, but when you add the stress of building a business, the strain on the marriage may be too much to bear.
Sometimes the best offense to protecting business asset is a good defense planned out when circumstances are still favorable and amicable. A classic example is the effect of a divorce on a small business.
The Domestic Relations Law defines marital asset as “all property acquired by either or both spouses during the marriage and before the execution of a separation agreement or the commencement of a matrimonial action, regardless of the form in which title is held, except as otherwise provided” in a separation agreement. This means that a business venture that is started during the marriage is subject to equitable distribution in the divorce process.
And a business that was commenced before the marriage is also at risk to the extent that it appreciated in value during the marriage.

“Picasso, Braque & Léger: Twentieth Century Modern Masters,” is the new exhibit that opened Oct. 6 at The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls.
This exhibition of more than 100 prints by the three modern masters examines their relationships with post-World War II writers, playwrights, and poets, and the artists’ dedication to creating imagery that interpreted modern texts.
Museum officials said all three artists, lured by rich history and thriving culture, moved to Paris, the center of the art world. There, Picasso (1881–1973) and Braque (1882–1963) began to experiment with their artwork, ultimately initiating Cubism.
They were joined by Léger (1881–1955), and the trio ushered in the art movement, which shattered traditional depiction of the natural world at one moment in time and space from a single vantage point. The effects were felt throughout Europe, impacting painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and literature.

Six Flags Great Escape Resort in Queensbury announced its newest attraction for 2020, Adirondack Outlaw.
The ride “will have guests catching maximum airtime and experiencing 360-degree rotations of heart-pounding excitement,” the company said in a news release. “The head over heels exhilaration of Adirondack Outlaw whips riders through the air at speeds of 50 miles per hour, as it swings 16 stories high over The Great Escape theme park.”

A Michigan-based paper company is partnering with Finch Paper Holdings, based in Glens Falls, io a move that will broaden the services of the local company.
The partnership is with French Paper, which manufactures premium custom paper for graphic arts, printing, packaging, writing, text, cover, specialty, and gift applications.
Together, the companies will offer customers a superior array of fine uncoated paper products, company officials said.
Finch Paper is a vertically integrated paper manufacturer specializing in high-bright, uncoated papers for North American printing and converting markets.