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  4. Divorce Property Laws

Divorce Property Laws

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  • Who Keeps the Cash When Divorcing?

    One of the most difficult aspects of divorce is determining how to divide your property with your former spouse. If you and your spouse can't agree on an equitable division, the divorce court judge will decide how to distribute your assets. In most cases, the court divides cash between the two spouses. However, the portions received by each spouse may or may not be equal, depending on the laws in your state.

  • Divorce & Property Abandonment

    Divorce is an ugly issue that, if you are not careful, will drown you in legal turmoil. One of the most divisive issues in a broken marriage is physical property. Property abandonment may occur when one party takes off unbeknownst to the other. You can stay ahead of the game with knowledge on divorce and property abandonment to prevent unnecessary headaches throughout the dissolution of a marriage.

  • What Document Is Necessary for Relinquishing Interest In a Property Divorce In Louisiana?

    A couple must divide real and personal property during a divorce proceeding in Louisiana. The court can decide, or the couple can agree to the division of property. It is not uncommon in a divorce to relinquish an interest in property, either real or personal property. It is more complicated to give up real property than it is to give up personal property.

  • Legal Marital Rights of Property Owned

    Marriages are considered partnerships between equals; thus the value of the property acquired by a married couple, during the course of a marriage, will generally be equally divided between divorcing spouses. Where property cannot be sold or where a party desires continued possession, there can be an offset in the distribution if the marital estate is large enough.

  • How to Address a Doctor & His Wife

    It is important to address a doctor and his wife properly when sending them a letter. Not only is it proper etiquette, but it also shows respect for their academic and professional achievements and positions. Addressing the letter appropriately shows that you intend no disrespect or carelessness in this communication.

  • How to Value Property in a California Divorce

    The value of property for purposes of divorce in California is defined loosely as the price that a willing buyer and a willing seller would agree to on the open market. California is a community property state, meaning that generally, property acquired by either party during the marriage and before separation belongs to both spouses equally. Valuing community property is particularly important because the property must be divided in half upon divorce. Because an incorrect value can have dramatic results upon divorce, consult an attorney before settling on a final valuation number.

  • Can a Towing Company Have a Possessory Lien on Vehicles in Illinois?

    When a vehicle is towed, the owner of the vehicle may have more to worry about than figuring out how to get to their next destination. The tow truck company may be able to put a lien on the vehicle, virtually holding the car for ransom.

  • How to Win Your Divorce from Your Cheating Husband

    Technically, divorce laws no longer punish a spouse for infidelity in the United States. As of 2011, all states have options for no-fault divorces, and some states only allow divorces on no-fault grounds. In a no-fault divorce, you do not have to prove that your spouse behaved badly in order to get the divorce, and his behavior is not supposed to affect issues such as division of property or alimony. However, "supposed to" are the operative words. Judges are human, and sometimes they do take sides, if only subconsciously. Many state laws also have loopholes and offer alternatives that might…

  • Divorce & Property Abroad

    Within a couple's country, divorces can be complicated with asset division and child custody disputes. However, when one or both partners live abroad, both partners can run into complications. Also, partners who travel to a foreign country on vacation can run into difficulties regarding the validity of their divorce back in their home town.

  • Georgia Divorce Law for Marital Property

    Marital property is all property the law considers part of a marriage that is divided between the parties when they divorce. Georgia's laws address what constitutes marital property and how the court must divide it if the couple cannot agree to a settlement. Always talk to a Georgia divorce attorney if you need legal advice, as these laws are complicated and subject to change.

  • Mistakes to Avoid During a Divorce

    Divorce is not unusual. In the United States 19 of 1,000 marriages ended in divorce in 2008.Divorce causes turmoil, even in more amicable divorces. Avoiding common mistakes during a divorce allows the process to be less stressful and painful for divorcing couples.

  • Legal Rights of a Wife in Washington State

    In Washington state, persons entering into a marriage agreement have certain rights as individuals. You must be 18 years of age or older or have the consent of a parent or guardian in order to wed. Once married, the husband and wife are part of a marital community, meaning that the earnings of each are considered shared property. The rights of each party are simple, and the wife has certain legal rights that she should consider prior to signing a marriage contract.

  • Is Ohio a Community Property State in Divorce?

    In Ohio, property between spouses is either marital property or separate property. During a divorce, property is divided according to how the property was acquired and the current situation of both spouses.

  • How Is Business Property Divided in the State of Maryland If You Divorce?

    If you divorce, you typically separate your finances from those of your former spouse. However, this is not always the case if you owned a business together, or if your spouse owned all or part of a business that you were awarded during the divorce.

  • How to Handle an Unvested Account in a Divorce

    During a divorce, the parties divide marital assets based on an agreement between them or a judge divides the assets. One of the more difficult assets to divide are unvested accounts. An unvested account is an account that has no guarantee of present or future value. A common example is a pension account where the employee must work for the company for a certain number of years before he is entitled to the funds from the account. States handle unvested accounts differently but the most common approach is the "percentage of value" approach.

  • Can a Wife Take Assets in a Divorce That Were Owned by the Husband Prior to the Marriage in Ohio?

    When spouses divorce, they must divide their marital assets. In some cases, one spouse may receive a portion of the other's property. In Ohio, separate property is usually part of a "distributive award."

  • Arizona's Improvements on Possessory Rights

    In the State of Arizona, the term "possessory rights" describes the legally protected status of someone who has the right to occupy or possess real estate which she/he does not own. This usually happens in business when a business leases real estate, then builds on it or improves the land somehow. It can also happen in cases where an individual leases land and then erects a structure on it.

  • Divorce Property Laws in Missouri

    When spouses divorce, a court will divide their marital property between them. A Missouri court can hear a divorce proceeding if at least one spouse has been a state resident for 90 days prior to filing. Missouri recognizes no-fault divorce so one spouse can file a petition with the Circuit Court claiming "irretrievable breakdown."

  • Alaska Disability Divorce Property Settlement Laws

    Divorce often involves conflict between the separating spouses, especially when they disagree on how to divide their assets and debts. When one spouse has a disability, she may want to find out whether the disability can affect her property settlement. Alaska residents going through divorce should consider consulting with a lawyer who can explain the relevant state laws regarding property division and other marital rights.

  • Matrimonial Property Act of 1984

    The Matrimonial Property Act of 1984 is a piece of South African legislation. The law deals primarily with the distribution of property and the determination of estate value between a married couple post-divorce.

  • Divorce & Retirement Benefits in Pennsylvania

    Several marital assets must be divided when a couple divorces. Property such as cash, homes, automobiles and retirement accounts all must be considered. In some states, spouses are entitled to split assets equally during the divorce process. In Pennsylvania, however, courts do not split marital assets, including retirement accounts, equally and operate on the "equitable distribution" standard. This standard requires judges to award assets based on factors including the financial status of each spouse.

  • The Matrimonial Property Act of Alberta

    The Matrimonial Property Act of Alberta is used to divide property owned by a couple when a marriage dissolves. The property can include residences, pensions, household items, cars, investments and anything else bought during the marriage.

  • Divorce Laws on Property in Ohio

    When a couple divorces, property is usually divided. Real estate, automobiles, furniture and money are common items couples must split when separating. Some believe that each party is entitled to half of marital assets in the event of a divorce. While this is true in some states, property distribution laws vary from state to state. In Ohio, the court looks at several factors in determining which assets will be awarded to whom. Assets are distributed based on what is fair to each party.

  • Washington State Divorce Laws for the Division of Community Property

    In divorce law, Washington is a community property state. Washington courts strive to divide assets and debts down the middle in a divorce unless they are given a compelling reason not to do so. Everything acquired during the marriage, both debts and assets, is potentially distributable. Judges are required to consider certain factors when dividing property, but how much weight they give to each factor is up to them.

  • How to Divide Things in a Divorce in Georgia

    One of the most commonly contested issues in any divorce is the question of property division. Property is anything either spouse owns, either independently or jointly, and dividing it is often a headache. The easiest way to do this is when the couples come to an agreement, either with the help of their attorneys or by themselves. No matter what, all property gets distributed between the couple once the court enters the final divorce decree.

  • Virginia Divorce & Property Rights Laws

    Virginia residents pursuing a divorce must first work through a variety of issues. These issues include distribution of property, custody of minor children and paying spousal support. Residents also must make themselves familiar with requirements to complete the divorce process. By becoming aware of Virginia's laws, residents can quickly complete the divorce process and move on with their lives.

  • Michigan Divorce Laws for Property Settlement

    Finding yourself facing a divorce case in Michigan undoubtedly leaves you with a variety of questions. Chief among these questions is how property is divided and dealt with during divorce proceedings. Michigan statutes establish the guidelines and procedures to distribute assets in a divorce proceeding, adopting what is known as the equitable division standard.

  • Louisiana Divorce Property Laws

    When a married couple gets divorced in Louisiana, the court can enter an order to distribute all marital property between the two spouses. This order can be granted following an agreement made between the couple, or can be determined by the court. Louisiana law governs how property agreements can be arrived at, and what effect the orders have on the spouses and the marital property.

  • How Is Debt Divided in Divorce in Indiana?

    Divorce laws vary from state to state since they are not governed under federal law, and trying to comprehend all of the nuances in a single state can be quite a challenge. When addressing the division of debt accumulated during a marriage, the state of Indiana has created guidelines allowing the appropriate court to determine the fairest possible judgment.

  • California Divorce Property Law

    California property division during a divorce can be extremely complicated. Along with a few other states, California is a community property state. That means that the separate property each spouse brings to the marriage remains his separate property, and the spouse takes 100 percent of his separate property after a divorce. Community property consists of the property one acquires during the marriage. Upon divorce, community property is divided equally. However, there are many exceptions which can change separate property to community property and in which community property may be treated as separate property.

  • Texas Community Property Divorce Laws

    Texas is a community property state. All property acquired during marriage is presumed to be community property. All property acquired before marriage, or after separation, is presumed separate property, with some exceptions. At divorce, each party will be awarded his separate property and then all community property will be divided between the spouses, typically in an equal manner.

  • Arkansas Divorce Property Law

    Most states provide for the equitable distribution of property upon a divorce, and the state of Arkansas is no different. Arkansas courts try to distribute property owned by a married couple in a fair manner. These courts generally do not take fault into account when distributing property.

  • Divorce & Separation of Property

    Before divorce and separation of property, assets ownership may occur in two ways during the course of the marriage. The first method, called "community property," gives each spouse an equal stake in the ownership of any property accumulated during the marriage. The majority of states permit each individual to acquire property during the marriage. The other spouse does not have an interest in this property. When it comes to divorce and separation, the majority of states have a method called "equitable distribution."

  • Texas Divorce Property Law

    If you have lived in Texas for six months and are a resident for 90 days in the county where you are filing the suit, the residency requirements for Texas have been met and you are able to file for a divorce in Texas. Texas follows community property laws, which means if you and your spouse are not able to come to an agreement in dividing up the community property amicably on your own, the court will divide all community property up equally between both of you.

  • New York State Divorce Property Laws

    All states vary in the rules of divorce. New York State handles their property division by Equitable Distribution. This does not mean that marital assets/property are divided equally among the two partners. Depending upon the exact facts of each case, the debts and the assets are divided to represent the manner in which contributions from each partner were made. An example of this is that if both parties own a piece of real estate (or any other item) that has grown in value since the purchase, then the value will be divided according to who invested what in the item.

  • Divorce Property Laws in North Carolina

    North Carolina is among the majority of states that use the equitable distribution model to divide property when spouses divorce. The equitable distribution model divides property in a way that is fair, though not necessarily equal. If the parties cannot agree on how to divide the property fairly, the court will apply several factors to decide what is fair in the circumstances of the case.

  • What Is Property Division in Georgia Divorce Law?

    Movies and fiction will tell you that it may not be a good idea to butt heads with the law in Georgia. Even when it comes to divorce, this state takes justice seriously. As of 2010, Georgia is one of only 11 states that use juries in a divorce situation. In Georgia, the qualifying circumstance for a jury trial is property division, at the request of either spouse.

  • Michigan Divorce Laws on Personal Property

    Personal property broadly describes personal belongings such as clothes, electronics, furniture and finances. In divorce, personal property is classified as either separate sole property, property that was acquired before the marriage or after separation and marital property, property that was obtained during the marriage. During divorce, marital property is divided between the parties.

  • Virginia Laws on Willed Property in Divorce

    Virginia divorce laws govern the manner in which marital assets are divided between the parties to a marriage dissolution case. Marital assets consist of the property and income obtained by spouses over the course of the marriage. Most, but not all, assets acquired during a marriage are considered marital. However, there are some exceptions (assets that are deemed separate property and not jointly owned by both spouses).

  • Michigan Divorce Property Laws

    Michigan divorce law is codified in Michigan Compiled States, Chapter 552. Included within these statutes are specific provisions dealing with property and debt issues of a divorcing couple. These provisions include how assets are split between a divorcing husband and wife and how debt is allocated between them.

  • How to Calculate the Value of Non-Marital Property in a Connecticut Divorce

    While you were dating your significant other, you purchased a vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle--or some other item that you had always wanted. You paid for it with your own money. Later, you married your significant other and now both of you ride the bike. Over time, you both realize the marriage is no longer working and you file for divorce. During the property distribution phase of the divorce proceedings, the judge wants to hear evidence about the value of your non-marital property. You need to know how to proceed so that you get your fair share.

  • Arizona Divorce & Infidelity

    Arizona is a "no fault" divorce state. This means that no matter who did what, the courts in Arizona don't care. All a judge must determine is that--for whatever cause--the marriage is "irretrievably broken" in order for him to grant you a divorce. Neither spouse has to prove any wrongdoing on the part of the other to get their equitable share of assets. But it's not as simple as it sounds. There are exceptions and potential changes afoot.

  • Divorce & Property Laws in Georgia

    While divorce laws in Georgia make it an "equitable distribution" state, there are no specific codes that address every option or outcome that may arise when dividing property. According to the Georgia Bar, marital property must be divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. Marital property is comprised of every physical thing (money, homes, automobiles, stocks) that was acquired while the parties were married, as well as intangibles like businesses. Inheritance or gifts given to one person by an outside party are not considered marital property. Additionally, any property the person owned before the marriage is not considered marital property and…

  • Financial Facts of Divorce

    Some of the most significant issues associated with a divorce case stem from financial matters. During a divorce, a couple's expenses increase. Additionally, through the divorce process, the parties must either settle any disputes associated with financial issues or they face the prospect of a trial. At the conclusion of a trial, the presiding judge will issue an order addressing any outstanding financial issues.

  • Laws on Property Ownership

    In our capitalist economic system, ownership of property is often a source of prestige and power. Inevitably disputes arise as to ownership of property. To help resolve such disputes, the law recognizes five categories of property ownership. Within these categories are various types of property ownership.

  • Florida Divorce Property Laws

    Florida divorce property laws are not set in stone. Many things are taken into consideration when the court must divide the property for the parties. If the parties can come to an agreement on the division of property and the court deems the agreement fair and equitable, the court typically ratifies the agreement.

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