How Will the Marital Assets Be Split?
Experienced Property Division Lawyers — Seattle, Washington
Property division and support arrangements can have major financial consequences for one or both spouses. Recognizing this, people naturally want to have a better idea of what they can reasonably expect in terms of an asset split.
Our firm handles divorce and community property concerns for people throughout the Puget Sound area, including King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. If you would like to learn more about our state's property division laws and how they might affect you — call 206.625.9800 for a free consultation or contact us online.
How Long Was Your Marriage?
- If your marriage lasted 5 years or less, it is generally not difficult to sort out the separate property and the marital property. As a result, you can fairly expect to leave with exactly what you came into it with, plus an equitable share of any assets or debt accumulated during the marriage.
- If your marriage lasted between 5 and 15 years, the asset split becomes more complicated. As is often the case in these marriages, the lines between each spouse's separate property and their joint marital property are blurred. However, with the representation of an experienced attorney — equal and nearly equal splits are not uncommon.
- If your marriage lasted 15 years or longer, factors such as employment history, how much property the couple has, the nature of that property, the relative economic advantage one spouse may have over the other and the marital lifestyle will take on a larger role and may result in a disproportionate split of the marital estate.
Does Misconduct by One Spouse Change Anything?
Because Washington is a no-fault divorce state, misbehavior by one spouse or the other does not usually change anything with regard to asset splits. The exception to this is where one spouse has deliberately taken actions that wasted or destroyed property or assets which belonged to both.
For answers to other questions you have about community property laws, asset splits in long-term marriages or how our lawyers can effectively protect your rights and interests during the divorce — just call Engel Law Group at 206.625.9800 to schedule a free consultation or e-mail us and someone from our office will get back to you soon.
