Dividing Marital Property In Two
The Meaning Of ‘Community’ And ‘Property’
Arizona is one of a handful of community property states. What, exactly, is community property?
The law states that, without a prenuptial agreement or a postnuptial agreement declaring otherwise, any property or debt you or your spouse incurs during the time you are married is considered community property or debt. The only exceptions are gifts and inheritances. Exceptions are also made for funds set aside for a non-community purpose. Arizona statutes say that assets will be divided without regard to marital misconduct – thus, a spouse’s bad behavior is rarely considered by the court in dividing assets and debts.
If either of you purchased an asset with money earned while married, that asset is considered community property.
If a financial account contains money earned while married, it is considered joint property. You both own it – even if the account is in one name only, it is considered joint property.
Even if one person set the money aside from his or her earnings, it is still joint property.
Property division can be an extremely complex process, especially when property owned individually comingles with community property.
Each property division case is unique. It is advisable to work with an attorney throughout the process, especially in complex cases involving high assets, retirement accounts, business ownership, etc.
How We Can Help
Our goal is to protect your interests throughout this critical division process. The idea is to launch your new life with the resources you will need to succeed.
The first step is the identification of assets. This goes way beyond the house and bank accounts; it involves everything of value obtained in the course of the marriage. It also involves assessing assets that once were nonmarital but have since been commingled. It requires that all assets be put on the table. Hiding valuable assets like investments, offshore accounts or getaway homes is the best way to lose them.
Dividing Marital Property For Phoenix Clients
We are adept at every property division issue, including:
- Commingled assets and transmutation
- Appreciation of separate property
- Divorce involving substantial assets
- Complex property distribution
- Dividing the marital home
- Dividing retirement accounts
- Dividing real estate
- Dividing trusts
- Dividing marital debt
- Dividing life insurance money
- Inheritances and gifts
- Stocks and bonds
- Vehicles
- Collectibles
- Other investments
We are adept at most property division tasks. In the event you need professional experts to assess a critical asset, we can draw on a team of respected forensic accountants, financial analysts, business valuation specialists and others.
We frequently work with certified divorce lending professionals (CDLPs) and other experts in an effort to further protect our clients’ financial interests in divorce.
Contact Our Office Today To Get Started
Our job in this process is to represent your interests at every step of asset identification and division. To discuss your property division issues, call our Peoria office at 623-239-0015 or email us your questions.