Massachusetts Divorce Attorney

Property Division Overview

If you're searching for more information regarding property division in an Essex or Middlesex County divorce, we can assist you. Below you'll discover a general overview of the process, including distribution of marital assets such as real estate, stock options and business assets. But before discussing this important process, it's vital to understand that every divorce is unique, and it's in your best interest to contact an experienced Massachusetts divorce lawyer for a consultation regarding your individual goals and needs.

Property Division in Massachusetts Divorce Cases

Divorcing couples can generally decide how they wish to divide their property during an uncontested divorce. If an agreement cannot be reached, however, a property dispute can be filed and the court will take over and divide the property under the law through a process called equitable distribution. Equitable distribution is a misnomer of sorts in that the distribution is not necessarily equal. Equitable, in this sense, pertains to a system of equity -- as opposed to a system of common law in which property can be, and typically is, divided equally.

This means the judge, once the marital assets are established and valuated, will award a percentage of the total value of the property to each spouse, meaning some combination of property, assets and debts will be awarded to each, based on his or her percentage. The judge's decision is final and can only be changed if the judge and both spouses agree on the change. The judge's decision is based on a number of factors which include the conduct of the parties, contribution to the acquisition, appreciation of the assets, and the age and health of the parties, to name a few. The presentation in court, exposing matters that can benefit our client can have a significant impact on the result of the case. We are proud of our ability to support our clients with a compelling case on their behalf in court.

It's important to understand that not all property and assets fall under marital assets, which is why you should contact Rauseo Law for more detailed information regarding property division during divorce in Middlesex & Essex County. We have extensive experience in these complex cases and can help you determine which assets will be in play in your divorce.

To learn more about property divisions in high net worth divorce cases, contact a Massachusetts divorce attorney serving Lynnfield, Beverly, Cambridge, Lexington, Andover, Marblehead, Wakefield, Winchester, Newburyport, and Saugus.