Washington divorce: Things to know about property division laws

On Behalf of | Apr 8, 2019 | Divorce

There are many things that help make Washington unique. For instance, many people travel here to learn about Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes that line the state. There are also more glaciers in this state than any other. In addition to geographical features, there is another particular issue that makes this state unique; it is one of only nine states in the country that operate under community property laws in divorce.

The term, “marital assets” typically refers to all interests and possessions spouses have acquired during marriage. In a community property state, the court considers nearly all property jointly owned by both spouses. This can be a real game-changer when it comes to property division proceedings in divorce.

Not only are marital assets regarded as equally owned by both spouses in divorce, the same goes for all marital debt, as well. There are exceptions to such rules, however, such as if a spouse receives an inheritance that is specifically designated for him or her, only. Also, if spouses signed a prenuptial agreement before getting married, it may influence the court’s decisions regarding marital property.

Many Washington spouses have had to overcome legal problems regarding property division in divorce. Some have dealt with hidden asset problems while others have had to fight to protect their business interests. In any case, an experienced family law attorney is a great asset to have on hand in or out of court to help find peaceful solutions to any legal problems or spousal disagreements that arise.

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