Fresno Property Division Attorney
Protecting Your Financial Interests During Divorce
One of the most hotly contested issues in
divorce is the distribution of property and debts. Since California is a community
property state, property acquired jointly during the marriage is divided
equally, regardless of which spouse earned the most income during the
marriage. However, it can be a complex process to determine what is separate
and what is community property and how to divide it equitably. As you
go through divorce, a Fresno divorce lawyer at our firm can help to ensure
that your marital assets are properly and fully classified, your community
property is divided equally, and your separate property is protected.
We have extensive experience helping clients from all walks of life, including
those facing simple
uncontested divorces as well as couples
divorcing with high assets.
Community vs. Separate Property in California
Unlike community property, separate property is not divided in a divorce.
Separate property belongs to only one spouse and is the property that one party owned prior
to the marriage, such as:
- Business interests
- Retirement funds
- Real estate
It also includes property and debts individually acquired during the marriage,
such as student loans, inheritance, or property purchased with funds belonging
separately to one spouse.
Community property is everything that was accumulated during the marriage. Examples of community
property that can be subject to distribution:
- Joint savings and checking accounts
- Vehicles bought during the marriage
- Marital home
- Furniture bought with marital assets
- Pension plans
- Retirement benefits
- Jointly owned businesses and professional practices
It is not always easy to ascertain which assets and debts are community
and which are separate, and the comingling of funds can make it more difficult.
Our Fresno property division attorney can help ensure that the process
is completed correctly and that you do not unnecessarily sacrifice any
portion of your separate property.
How Your Assets Will Be Divided During a Divorce
There are three basics steps to dividing property in a divorce:
-
Characterization: it must be determined whether the property is community or separate.
-
Valuation: a value must be determined for the assets, either through agreement or
appraisal.
-
Division: separate property goes to the owner, and community property is divided equally.
Each case and every divorce is unique. Our property division lawyers are
devoted to carefully assessing every aspect of the critical issue of property
and debt division in divorce, and we will pursue the appropriate legal
action to protect the assets you have a right to in a divorce.
Contact us for sound legal guidance.
Experienced Guidance from Divorce Lawyers in Fresno
At Arnold Law Group, APC, we are
Fresno family law attorneys with more than three decades of combined experience. When we take on a
case, we work as a team to yield the most profitable results for our clients.
You can count on us to build an effective plan of action to achieve the
results you need and deserve.
Throughout the duration of your case and time with us, we will be committed
to maintaining good communication and achieving your goals. We have thousands
of satisfied clients, an excellent reputation, and exceptional case results.
See what we can do for your
divorce in Madera, Tulare, or Kings county.
Further reading:
How to Solve Property Division Issues