Divorce is never an easy experience, but it can be made even more difficult by the division of assets. With so much to consider, it can be difficult to think about everything that could go wrong. Before starting the process, you should have a clear understanding of your financial situation and what factors are important to you during this time. Having a divorce lawyer Massachusetts by your side can help you execute property division in your best interests.
Different divorces have different complexities, and it is, therefore, important to consider a multitude of factors when dividing assets in a divorce. These factors could include, but are not limited to, the value of any property that will be divided, the number of children involved in the divorce, and even how long the separation time period was before the divorce was finalized. There are many considerations to take into account when deciding what assets should go to which spouse.
Let us now see into 3 important factors that are usually considered when dividing assets in a divorce.
- Contribution to the marriage
In a divorce, it is not always easy to decide how to divide assets. One important factor that should be considered is the contribution of each spouse during the marriage. The spouse who contributed more to a marriage may deserve a larger share of the assets in a divorce settlement. For example, if one spouse stayed at home and cared for children while the other worked, then this first spouse may have more claims on ownership of the family home, which is usually viewed as a marital asset.
- Economic circumstances and opportunities
The economic circumstances and opportunities of each member of the divorce should be considered during the process of property division. For example, a parent who has a good job with a high income will have more opportunities to provide for their kids after the divorce than one who is unemployed or earning minimum wage. A parent who owns a house with equity in it will have an advantage over one living in an apartment building rented from month to month.
- Length of marriage
When a couple has been married for a long time, it can be difficult to decide how to divide assets in the divorce. Couples may have acquired substantial wealth during the marriage, and after many years of hard work, other retirement investments should not be divided up easily.