Bowie, Maryland Property Division Lawyers

Aggressive Attorneys Helping You Divide Your Property Equitably in a Bowie Divorce

In addition to what you had previously, you and your spouse have probably accumulated assets and debts during your marriage. When you divorce, Maryland laws require an equitable distribution of your property, meaning that it will not necessarily be split equally. Property division can be one of the most contested issues during divorce, causing arguments, anger, and extreme stress. As tempers flare, decisions about dividing property can devolve into conflicts that may seem impossible to resolve. Your rights must be protected, and you need an attorney who refuses to back down from championing your best interests.

At the Law Office of Kari H. Fawcett, our exceptional advocacy and attention to detail is well-known. Because the time we spend with you is far longer than an average attorney would take, we become intimately familiar with the various factors that apply to your divorce and your financial situation. Our comprehensive approach ensures that no detail is missed, and we will help you negotiate agreements that reflect your best interests. Set up your free case evaluation today.

Equitable Distribution in Maryland Divorces

Many couples do not realize how much they have accumulated until they are preparing for divorce. From vacation mementos to valuable collections, you and your spouse must divide all of your marital assets fairly. The same is true for your marital debts as well. In Maryland divorce courts, deciding what is fair is at the judge's discretion. Factors that may be considered include:

• Each spouse's age and health
• Each spouse's contributions to the marriage, including both financial earnings and services such as maintaining the martial residence and providing childcare
• Child custody arrangements
• The length of your marriage
• Assets and debts each spouse had before the marriage
• Any third-party gifts or inheritances either spouse received, along with when they were obtained and how they were used
• Whether either spouse intentionally hid or wasted assets or accumulated significant debt before the divorce
• The financial means of each spouse, including their ability to earn income

Your attorney will make sure all these factors are considered when we help you develop a fair plan for how your property should be divided that will pass the court's scrutiny. With our combined experience of over 50 years handling divorce cases in Maryland, we know how the courts are likely to rule. We will do all we can to protect what is yours and ensure that you are not responsible for more than your fair share of marital debt.

Assets and Debts

Personal items like your clothing are usually not considered marital property. However, almost everything else is, such as:

• Family vehicles
• Your home
• Bank and retirement accounts, including pensions
• Furniture
• Lawn equipment
• Recreational vehicles
• Family keepsakes, with the possible exception of inherited items

You may have a list you provided your homeowner's or renter's insurance company that includes all your possessions. That list is a good place to start, but you may not have included all of your possessions. When you verify that the list of your assets is complete, we can help you place fair values on each item.

Similarly, you probably have various marital debts, which may include:

• Personal loans or lines of credit
• Medical bills
• Car loans
• Credit cards
• Personal loans extended by family members
• Mortgages

These must also be divided fairly. If equitable distribution assigns more debt to you than you can repay, we can help you explore debt relief options, including filing for bankruptcy.

Customized Property Division Plans Work Best

No other couple has the same assets, debts, and circumstances that you do. What is fair in someone else's divorce may not work for yours. Our thoroughness gives us the details we need to fine-tune your property settlement negotiations, and our fierceness when defending your rights gets results.

Contact Our Bowie, MD Property Division Attorneys

At the Law Office of Kari H. Fawcett, our legal team has served Maryland families for decades, giving us a wealth of knowledge and practical experience that set us apart. To benefit from the advantages we offer, call 301-262-5500 or contact us online to discuss your property division issues in a free consultation.