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Divorce (“No Fault”)

On Behalf of | Dec 14, 2009 | Firm News |

In a marriage dissolution proceeding, commonly referred to as a “divorce”, the marital contract of the parties is terminated and other related issues, including child custody, child support and visitation, spousal support (alimony) and property and debt division are decided.

In the past, courts would not grant couples a divorce unless one of the spouses could establish sufficient grounds (such as cruelty, desertion, adultery, nonsupport or neglect, alcoholism, drug addiction, insanity or criminal conviction) to terminate the marriage. Today, in California, divorces are considered “no-fault,” that is, the parties can terminate their marriages on the grounds of incompatibility, irreconcilable differences or an irretrievable breakdown of the marital relationship.

Property distribution may be strongly contested in a divorce action. Commonly distributed property includes real estate, personal property, cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, ownership interests in family businesses and retirement benefits. There are two main methods of property distribution, equitable-distribution or community property.

California is a community property state. The court will equally divide all marital property, which generally consists of all property acquired during the couple’s marriage. Each of the spouses has a one-half interest in all of the property acquired during the marriage. It is presumed that all property acquired by either spouse or both of them during the marriage belongs to the community, unless proven otherwise.

Although non-marital property, including property acquired before marriage, gifts to one spouse and property inherited by one spouse are usually not divided between the spouses, the amount of non-marital assets held by each party may affect the court’s distribution of marital property.

When property is evenly/equitably divided, each asset is not necessarily split between the parties. Rather, each party is given his or her fair share of the total package. One spouse may receive more property than the other receives, but make up the difference through cash payments. Alternatively, in some cases, the actual distribution may take place at a future date. This may occur when there is significant equity in the family home, but a sale is not in order because the custodial parent wishes to live in the home until all of the children are raised. In such cases, the equity is determined at the time of divorce or separation, and the shares are then calculated, but the money does not change hands until the house is actually sold.

Recent developments in property-distribution law include the recognition of a homemaker spouse’s contribution to the increase in value of a family business, and the wage-earner spouse’s contribution to the other spouse’s education and professional degree. Courts are now awarding greater shares of family businesses to wives who managed the household so their husbands could tend to their business, and dividing the value of a professional degree or practice, such as law or medicine, between both spouses if one supported the other financially while the necessary education and experience were obtained. Property and debt distribution in a divorce can be a difficult process, and the advice of an experienced family law lawyer can help to expedite the process.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent counsel for advice on any legal matter.

The Law Office of Heather Cullen
A Professional Corporation
4094 Chestnut Street
Riverside, CA 92501
Telephone: 951-824-6449
Fax: 951.715.4601
E-mail: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.LawCullen.com
www.RiversideFamilyLaw.com

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