Tacoma Property Division Lawyers Serving All Of Washington
Property division is rarely a peaceful process, and arguments can become emotional in an instant. At Envision Family Law, we offer our experience to help divorcing spouses amid the property division process. Our Pierce County firm has offices in cities around Washington state, including Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham and Olympia. Our goal is to support as many spouses as possible while providing empathetic guidance along the way. If you need representation pertaining to the division of property, please reach out to our firm at 888-786-8628 or by emailing our staff.
How Do Courts Divide Property And Debt In Washington State?
Washington is an equitable distribution state, which means that the judge will divide all marital property based on what they deem fair and not equal. When dividing assets, judges will consider each spouse’s:
- Lifestyle
- Income
- Age
- Health
- Education
- Career opportunities
These factors will give the judge an idea of what both spouses need to maintain a certain quality of life following their divorce. Based on this determination, the judge will divide the community assets in a fair and equitable manner.
What Are The Differences Between Separate And Community Property?
Courts will first identify whether an asset is considered separate or community property when dividing property during divorce proceedings. Community and separate property are each defined as:
- Separate property: Separate property, sometimes referred to as nonmarital property, is classified as any assets obtained before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance. This may include a vehicle you owned before marriage or an inheritance after a loved one passes.
- Community property: Community property includes any assets acquired during the marriage. This often includes real estate, furniture and retirement accounts.
While it may seem simple to identify which assets are considered marital property or not, it can quickly become complicated when emotions run high during a divorce. For more information about determining whether an asset is a marital property, consider seeking legal guidance.
What Are Signs Of Hidden Assets In A Divorce?
Understanding how to identify the signs of hidden assets is essential to protect your personal property and your rights to any marital assets. Here are a few common signs your spouse could be hiding property:
- Controlling every aspect of your finances
- Overpaying creditors
- Gifting large amounts of money
- Altering information on financial accounts
These are only a few signs that your spouse could be purposely hiding assets, be sure to stay aware and always look out for these behaviors during the divorce process.
We Represent Spouses During The Property Division Process. Contact Our Tacoma Property Division Attorneys Today!
Your marital estate is worth protecting and fighting for. To receive personalized service at any time of day, do not hesitate to seek out the assistance of our attorneys at 888-786-8628 or by filling out our online contact form.