Divorce With Multiple Properties in Columbia, MD

The divorce process is complicated because it addresses so many concerns, from asset division to child custody to spousal support and more! When you are facing divorce with multiple properties in Columbia, you can expect that the process may be more complex than the average divorce. However, you have no need to worry when you have the help of caring, experienced legal professionals on your side.

At Z Family Law, we support you through every step of the divorce process so you are never left questioning what comes next. We help you thoroughly understand your legal options and attack any problems with personalized strategies that address your needs for dividing your properties. We can help you with steps including property valuation, understanding tax implications, and dividing mortgages and debts.

If you are ready to learn more about how we can help you conquer divorce with multiple properties, reach out to Z Family Law to book your free case evaluation.

What You Need to Know About Divorce With Multiple Properties in Columbia

Maryland divorce follows an equitable distribution model, meaning that your marital assets will be divided based on what is fair, as opposed to a community property model, wherein property is equally split.

Not all of your assets are marital assets. Marital property is any property that is acquired during the course of the marriage, with a few exceptions, such as inheritances and gifts. Non-marital (separate) property, on the other hand, is any property that you owned prior to the marriage. Only marital property needs to be divided during divorce.

However, there are situations in which separate property can become marital property if the two are commingled. For example, assets inherited during your marriage and kept in a separate account would be considered non-marital property, but if you deposit them into a joint bank account, they can become marital property due to co-mingling.

Keep in mind that mutually acquired mortgages are also counted as marital property, which can add a complicated twist to the asset division process. If there are certain properties you hope to retain, you need to understand expenses, including mortgages and taxes.

One essential step for understanding how your marital property will be divided is a professional appraisal. Knowing the value of your assets prevents unfair settlements, protecting you from losing assets that are important to you or getting the lesser end of the deal. If you don’t get a professional appraisal of your assets, you are setting yourself up for a far more difficult journey.

Getting to Know Your Legal Options

If you are going through a divorce with multiple properties in Columbia, there are a variety of options you might consider:

Selling Properties: One option is to sell properties off so that you and your spouse can share the proceeds. If you and your spouse do not want to keep certain properties or cannot decide who should retain a property, this is a great option.
Buyout: If one spouse prefers to keep a property that the other does not, the interested spouse can offer a buyout for the other share.
Co-Ownership: If both spouses want to keep a property, joint ownership is an option that will allow them both to arrange a plan for mutual ownership. This option is great for properties that generate income so that both spouses can continue to profit from it.
Trading Other Assets: If you want to keep a certain property, you can make a proposal to trade another asset of equal value as opposed to a buyout.

Z Family Law Can Guide You Through Divorce

At Z Family Law, we value not only skill when it comes to legal service, but also understanding and compassion. We know that this is not an easy time, but we want to help set you up so that you can successfully begin the next chapter of your life. Reach out to us to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can make your divorce experience a springboard to your new beginning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to go to court in order to get divorced?

No. If your divorce is uncontested, meaning you and your spouse are in alignment on the terms of your divorce, you can settle out of court without the involvement of a judge (though you will still have to briefly appear in court for a short hearing to finalize your settlement and obtain a judgment of absolute divorce). However, we highly recommend every divorcing couple review their marital settlement agreement with a family law attorney before signing it, just to make sure you know what you are agreeing to!

How can I prove fault in my divorce?

If you want to allege some fault that led to the breakdown of your marriage such as adultery, abandonment, abuse, mental health issues, or substance addiction, you should do all you can to document the incident(s) including saving any kind of relevant communications such as texts or emails. Speak with our lawyers about your options, and we will begin the process of making a case for your interests.

Is Maryland a community property state?

No, Maryland is an equitable distribution state, meaning that any property acquired during the marriage (marital property) will be divided equitably but necessarily equally in a divorce.