A couple’s monetary assets and property are not necessarily but frequently divided 50-50 during the course of a divorce. After indentifying separate property, the assets and property gained during the course of marriage are subject to equitable distribution, which means they are to be divided fairly in the judgment of the family court.

 

Divorce and custody matters are complex litigation and rarely accomplished using Do It Yourself (DIY) programs.  Very few family law matters are “simple.” Minor children, paternity, spousal support, separate property, real estate, business interests, and retirement accounts automatically mean your family law matter is not “simple.” Having an attorney, and especially having a Sterling Law Office attorney, helps you navigate this complicated process.  We do however acknowledge that full legal services are not an option for some people, and we can help direct you to appropriate resources.  We do contract for certain services on a limited scope basis.

 

Our attorneys help clients see the short-term and long-term benefits and drawbacks of asset protection and property division during a divorce. Homes, real estate, and personal possessions are not the only things subject to division. Some other types of monetary assets and accounts that may be divided upon divorce:

 

• Retirement accounts

• 401K

• Family-owned business

• Social Security disability benefits

• Health insurance

• Pensions

• IRA

• Stocks and bonds

• Investment and bank accounts

• Gifts and inheritance

 

Marital debt is also subject to division. By dividing the debt accumulated by the two parties during the marriage, it removes the burden of one party carrying the debt and being treated unfairly. Our family law attorneys counsel clients on marital debt division and how it affects other aspects of the marital property division.

 

Our attorneys work to achieve fair, equitable divisions of marital property. By fairly dividing marital property, we help spouses navigate a separation without the anger, resentment, and impoverishment which can result from unjust divisions.

 

Call Sterling Law Office at 231-486-0559 for a free family law phone consult.  We follow up phone consults with a Case Evaluation.

 

At a Case Evaluation, we meet with you in person (or by video conference if you are unable to come to one of our offices).  After an intake interview, we hear your story and your goals.  We help you understand your legal rights.  After we help you sort it all out, we create for you a Plan of Action identifying your Next Steps to reach your goals.  We charge a flat fee of $100.00 for the Case Evaluation. Most people find that the Case Evaluation is extremely helpful.  We see these potential clients lift their shoulders and breathe a sigh of relief when they leave our office following a Case Evaluation.

 

After a case evaluation, if the plan of action calls for attorney involvement, you may want to hire our firm to represent you.  If so, you can expect to then sign a contract and pay a deposit on your future legal expenses.