Property & Debt Division

Protecting Your Right To Marital Property In Divorce

Deciding how to split up the marital assets and debts is often a difficult issue in a divorce, particularly when there are significant assets at stake. It is crucial that you have legal representation to protect your property rights.

While your marriage may have fallen apart, you can work to keep your future financial security intact. Retain the legal services of a family law attorney who is experienced with property division in divorce.

At Brown Paindiris & Scott in Hartford, our attorneys can help you with all issues related to divorce. We are dedicated to helping ensure that you receive a fair share of the marital assets and securing your financial future.

Equitable Division Of Marital Assets And Debts

In Connecticut, the law provides that all property can be equitably or fairly divided by the court in a divorce. Our lawyers can assist you in dividing and securing your share of the marital assets and debts, including:

• The home, and any other real estate
• Cars, boats and other vehicles
• Savings and checking accounts
• Stocks, bonds and investments
• Pension plans and retirement accounts
• Furniture and personal property
• Other complex assets
• Credit card debts
• Car loans and other secured or unsecured loans
• Home mortgage, home equity line of credit and other home loans
• Other unpaid bills

Your Rights To Separate Or Premarital Property

Property acquired by a spouse before the marriage, by inheritance or by gift may be considered premarital or separate property. However, if there is no prenuptial agreement, separate property can still be subject to division in a divorce. Sometimes, when assets are brought into the marriage, they become mingled with assets that are acquired during the course of the marriage. We can help you distinguish your separate property from the marital estate and work to protect your separate assets from being divided in your divorce.

A note about the marital home: For some families, their house may be their largest asset and many decisions will need to be made about the home, including:

• Whether the house will be sold, and if so, the listing price and a formula for how the proceeds will be divided between the husband and wife
• If the house is not going to be sold, who gets the house, and how will any equity in the house be divided
• If the house is not going to be sold and if both parties’ names are on the mortgage, the time frame for the ex-spouse owner to refinance the mortgage

Dividing the marital equity requires precision and attention to detail. At Brown Paindiris & Scott, we are experienced with handling divorce cases and know-how to ensure that you receive a fair portion of your marital estate.