Bakersfield Property Division Lawyer

Your marital estate in a divorce consists of all of the assets and property you have acquired over the life of your marriage. 

This can include:

• Your home and other real property holdings
• Vehicles
• Boats
• Personal belongings
• Life insurance
• Stocks and bonds
• Other investments
• Family-owned businesses and business interests
• Retirement accounts and pensions
• Expensive art, jewelry, and collectibles

These, along with the marital debts you have accrued, regardless of who accrued them, are all part of the “marital estate.” Thus, they must be divided on a 50-50 basis as much as possible. 

Separate vs. Community Property

Separate property is not subject to division in your divorce. This consists of property acquired and titled to one party only before the marriage, inheritances or gifts given to one spouse only during the marriage, and any property or items covered in a valid prenuptial or post-marital written agreement. 

Separate property that has been shared with your spouse throughout your marriage, however, can be viewed as community property in your divorce. For example, if you maintained a separate savings account that was created before your marriage but then used its proceeds to renovate the marital home (which benefits your spouse as well as you), that account can be seen as marital property. 

Let Us Help You Protect Your Future

The division of marital property and debt can become extremely complex, especially when dealing with pension plans, retirement accounts, hidden assets, overseas accounts. and complicated assets such as stock options, family-owned small businesses, and professional practices. You will need the knowledge, skills, and advocacy of our experienced attorney who can protect your financial rights and future.