Property Division: An Overview
During a separation, some of the biggest decisions you make are related to your assets. Dividing them is not always simple and it can be hard to do without a strong attorney by your side. Schnaars Law Firm, LLC, has worked with clients throughout Louisiana who are having difficulty navigating this process. Our founding attorney, Dyan Schnaars, has been practicing since 2012 and has focused exclusively on family law since 2014. She knows how the system works and is here to offer you the compassionate representation you deserve.
Understanding How Property Is Divided
Having been through a dissolution of marriage herself, Ms. Schnaars knows how overwhelming it can be. Family matters can be especially emotional. When it comes to dividing property, our team helps you make smart decisions. What is most important to know is that we are a community property state. This means that anything acquired during your marriage must be split equally. Anything acquired before the marriage, on the other hand, is yours and yours alone.
For example, say you purchased your home when you were single. That means that legally, you are entitled to it. But, if your spouse contributed to improvements and upkeep of the home, they may be entitled to some funds from the property. If you purchased a home together, a judge will decide what is fair and makes the most sense. In some cases, this means one party buys the other out. In other cases, it means that one spouse gets the home and the other spouse gets something else of high value.
Another area that can get tricky is division of retirement accounts. Similar to property, any money that was placed in a retirement or pension account prior to getting married remains with the person who opened it. Any funds that are contributed during your marriage are subject to division, which will be done equally. No matter what you are going through, having an experienced property division lawyer clearly explain your options is key. We are communicative and understanding and will do everything we can to get you what you are entitled to.
Learn More About How We Can Help By Calling Today
Asset protection is key and property division can become tremendously complex. Get ahead of the stress by consulting with a legal counsel sooner rather than later. Our focus is on all pre-litigation work related to dividing property in a divorce. If trial is necessary due to disagreements, the matter will be handled by a trusted network of referral attorneys.
We work to advise you on how to mediate community property settlement issues. If the parties are unable to agree, a judicial partition lawsuit must be filed. Mrs. Schnaars works closely with associate litigatory counsel on contested community property partitions. Contact our firm today with help in determining if your community partition can be mediated or requires litigation.
To schedule a consultation and discuss your situation specifically, call our office in Lafayette at 337-446-2392 today. You can also fill out our contact form online.
