Equitable Distribution Lawyers in Fredericksburg
Partner With a Property Settlement Attorney Who Can Protect your Rights and Assets
During a marriage, living a shared life with your spouse means shared property, shared finances, and even shared debt. Understandably, after years or even decades of marriage, dividing that property fairly during divorce proceedings can be an extremely complicated and contentious process. While some separating couples are able to divide their property by agreement, many find that there are vast differences between what each party believes they should receive For those who are unable to reach agreement, the court will ultimately make the decision for them.
In Virginia, trial judges have wide discretion in deciding what division of marital property is fair and reasonable. Virginia’s law regarding division of marital property requires the court to consider a number of “factors”, some of which are the same factors to be considered in determining spousal support. Understanding how these factors are applied and what evidence must be brought to bear on each one is critical to effective representation of any divorce client whose property is in dispute. It is absolutely vital to have an experienced, knowledgeable, and aggressive family law attorney on your side during the litigation or negotiation of these often complex issues.
To speak to an experienced Fredericksburg property division attorney, give us a call at (540) 306-5780 or contact us online today.
How is Property Designated and Divided?
Before the court can reach the issue of division of marital property, it first must determine whether the property is “marital” at all, or the “separate” property of one of the spouses. The property may also be “hybrid” property, consisting of both marital and separate components. This process of deciding whether property is marital or separate is called “classification”, which can be a very complex issue. Generally, property that is acquired during the marriage and jointly titled property are “presumed” to be marital, but the presumption can be overcome by showing that the property was acquired by one of the spouses by gift, bequest, descent, survivorship, or gift from someone other than his or her spouse. Property that is acquired by one spouse prior to the marriage and is maintained separately, without “commingling” other marital property or marital effort into it, is generally considered to be that spouse’s separate property.Will everything be split evenly down the middle?
Many Questions Arise When Property Division is at Issue:
- What will happen to our home? Can I be forced to sell?
- Who is responsible for debts accumulated before marriage?
- Will my retirement account have to be divided?
- Am I entitled to more property if I am the family’s breadwinner?
- Am I entitled to more property if brought more assets into the marriage?
- What happens if my spouse is hiding assets?
- Does the length of marriage affect the court’s decision?
- Is my spouse entitled to any of my inheritance?
- If my spouse is guilty of adultery, will this affect the court’s decision?
Understanding Property Settlement in Virginia
When going through a divorce, one of the most important aspects to consider is the division of property and assets. In Virginia, property settlement involves the equitable distribution of marital property, which includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage. It's crucial to work with a knowledgeable property settlement attorney who can protect your rights and ensure a fair distribution of assets.
Our team at Butler Moss O'Neal, PLC has extensive experience in handling property settlement cases in Stafford, VA. We can provide guidance and legal representation to help you navigate the complexities of property division, including:
- Evaluating and categorizing marital property
- Negotiating fair property settlements
- Protecting your financial interests
- Resolving disputes over asset distribution
By partnering with our firm, you can have peace of mind knowing that your rights and assets are being safeguarded during the property settlement process.
To speak to an experienced Fredericksburg property division attorney, give us a call at (540) 306-5780 or contact us online today.
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today
Since the law vests wide discretion with the trial judge, these and similar questions may or may not have the same answers in different cases, depending on the individual facts.
While settlement of property division is generally favored, a successful settlement negotiation requires that the attorney also have a comprehensive understanding of the equitable distribution statute and how it is applied in court. Do not trust these complex questions and their answers to guesswork. Have an experienced advocate on your side.
If you live in Virginia and are in need of an attorney to assist you with the litigation or negotiation of property division in divorce, we can help. Call us today at (540) 306-5780 or fill out the online contact form on this page and begin taking control of your division of property case.
Butler Moss O'Neal, PLC, serves clients in the state of Virginia, including the following cities, counties, and towns: Fredericksburg, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, Caroline County, Hanover County, Westmoreland County, King George County, Fairfax County, and Prince William County.
To learn more, see our Blogs and Frequently Asked Questions.
They made going through a divorce as pleasant as can be... they kept me laughing when I felt like crying.
- L.F.
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Can the Court order that my spouse name me as beneficiary of the survivor benefits associated with his/her pension?Yes. Virginia’s law of property division in divorce, Section 20-107.3, provides that the Court can order that one spouse name the other as beneficiary of the death or survivor benefits of his or her retirement or pension account.
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The house is titled in my name. Can my spouse claim a share of the equity?
Possibly. Legal title to the property is not the determining factor in deciding whether an asset is “”marital”” property and therefore subject to division by the court. It is possible for an asset to be separately titled to one party and nevertheless be a marital asset. However, if a piece of property was acquired prior to the marriage, remained titled to one spouse, and no marital funds or efforts were ever contributed to the property, the statute would classify it as separate property.
The Court cannot order one party to transfer title of a separately owned piece of property to his or her spouse, but the Court can order that the owning spouse pay the other a sum of money for his or her interest, which is called a “”monetary award.”
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Can the court divide retirement benefits between spouses?
Yes. Retirement benefits, to the extent they were acquired during the marriage, are marital property and subject to division by the court. This is usually accomplished by means of a special court order called a “qualified domestic relations order (QDRO)”, “qualifying retirement benefits order” or some variation thereof.
Note: A special provision of the divorce statute “caps” the percentage that the non-owning spouse can receive at 50%.
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Can my spouse get a share of my social security benefits?No. Social Security benefits are not a divisible asset. However, the statute directs the court to take into account all sources of income of each party in determining spousal support, which would include income from Social Security.
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