Division of Marital Assets 

Stamford, Connecticut, Division of Marital Assets Lawyers

When marital separation leads to a divorce and divides one household into two, the new ownership of all assets previously belonging jointly to the married couple must now be determined. There is no hard and fast formula used to ensure an equitable distribution of assets. Rather, a negotiated settlement or court order must determine which assets remain with each spouse once the divorce is final.

For experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel and representation regarding the marital property rights and the settlement that will be part of your divorce or separation, contact the Fairfield County family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Piazza & Simmons. We also represent same-sex couples seeking dissolutions of civil unions.

What Qualifies as a Marital Asset in a Divorce?

While an equitable asset distribution is always a goal in divorce, marital property settlements are not necessarily fifty-fifty. Prenuptial agreements, business valuation, taxes, and other factors can influence the property and asset values, particularly in complex, high-end divorces. Our marital asset division attorneys help clients understand what can be considered shared assets or separate property, including:

• Homes and real estate
• Bank accounts
• Retirement accounts (pension or 401K)
• Stocks and other investments
• Family heirlooms
• Family businesses

We help clients understand how these assets will be addressed by the court, taking into account such factors as ages, health, current incomes, and potential earning capacity of each spouse. We also provide asset protection advice on how to suspend or defeat a prenuptial agreement, and defend a prenup against challenges.

Litigation, Negotiation, or Mediation?

Unlike other states, Connecticut is not a community property state. As with related divorce matters such as spousal maintenance or child custody, there are several ways that division of assets and spousal support may be determined in your divorce or when your civil union is dissolved. Full-scale divorce litigation is one way. Reasonable negotiations are another way.

Many of our clients prefer the mediation services offered by our Greenwich/Stamford Divorce Mediation Center (203-965-0426) for the following reasons:

• It is cost-effective, thus preserving more assets for the couple themselves
• It saves time, allowing for appointments to take place at the convenience of the divorcing spouses
• It is private, and controlled by the mediating parties themselves
• There is satisfaction in crafting one's own agreement, rather than having to submit to a court-ordered settlement

Contact the Law Offices of Piazza & Simmons for a consultation with an experienced Connecticut family law attorney on marital property rights and related divorce issues.

The Law Offices of Piazza & Simmons offers family law and personal injury representation to clients in Fairfield County and New Haven County. We serve residents of Stamford, Old Greenwich, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Westport, New Canaan, and Darien, CT.