North Carolina Divorce Laws Equitable Distribution

This blog post explains what fair distribution is and why hiring a Charlotte divorce attorney helps. Behaviours such as adultery, domestic violence, abandonment and alcohol and drug abuse are not relevant to determining the equitable division of matrimonial property. Even if a spouse admits to engaging in any or all of these behaviors, he or she may still be entitled to 50% or more of the matrimonial property. Economic behaviour – economic fault – is relevant. For example, if a husband transfers marital property to his mistress immediately before separating from his wife, the law says that this is an economic error, and this behaviour is taken into account by the court when deciding on an equitable division of property. Property can be divided into any amount. However, in most divorce situations in North Carolina, the Fair Division Act assumes a 50/50 tiebreak, meaning that each spouse receives half of the estate. This distribution can take place before or after the issuance of a final divorce decree – as long as you have protected your rights before the judgment. In some cases, the division of ownership may not need to be dealt with in court.

If the parties reach agreement on how assets and property should be divided, there may not be a need to negotiate the issue of equitable distribution. It is important to obtain an accurate assessment of the matrimonial property to be distributed to ensure that a fair result is achieved. In North Carolina, the strong presumption is that the equal or equal split between the two spouses is equitable. However, in some cases, a judge may decide to divide matrimonial property by other means to be fair. In these cases, detailed findings of fact are required and there are many factors that the judge must consider. It is important to understand that there is no final deadline to submit a fair distribution. The equitable distribution procedure may be applied at any time between the separation of the parties and the issuance of the divorce decree. In the event that the couple does not live apart or if the divorce is finalized, the legal procedure is not applicable. Injunctive measures to prevent the disappearance of assets may also be granted before or after the commencement of a fair distribution action. The fair distribution process can be complex and requires an understanding of how these types of cases work to ensure you are treated fairly under the law.

North Carolina classifies property in a divorce as follows: It is important to understand that equitable distribution is not the same as equal division. An experienced family attorney in North Carolina like Jonathan Breeden can explain what this right entails and how you should approach the issue in court and with your spouse. After helping people through the turmoil of divorce for over 19 years, Jonathan Breeden understands that you need someone who can represent you with compassion and a passionate determination to protect your rights. Fair distribution is a complex area of law, and it is important to be informed. Haas & Associates, P.A.`s experienced family law attorneys can guide you through the legal process. Finally, the property must be distributed. As mentioned earlier, an equal distribution (50/50 split of net worth) is considered equitable. There are several factors that the court takes into account in determining whether an equal division is equitable and, if not, which division is equitable: State laws dictate the distribution of wealth when a marriage is dissolved. North Carolina is a state of equitable distribution, which means that if the spouses are unable to resolve property rights on their own, the court will determine what a fair and equitable distribution is. It doesn`t matter who bought the property or in whose name it is located. If it was purchased during the marriage, it is considered matrimonial property belonging to both spouses.

It is important to understand that simply does not necessarily mean equal. The rights you have to certain properties may depend on whether you are legally married, when and by whom it was purchased, and whether it was a gift. If you are legally married and want a divorce, you have the right to apply for a fair division of marital property. There are times when people come to us, ask questions, and then decide to work on marriage. And that`s okay. We`re here to provide information, not push for separation and divorce – Bill Powers, Charlotte Divorce Attorney Fair distribution in North Carolina means that the court reviews your assets and debts during a divorce, decides what is fair, and divides your property between both spouses accordingly. However, this does not mean that the split will be 50/50. It is generally better for parties to determine how to divide their property than to let a judge decide. This allows spouses to maintain control over the outcome of their divorce and maintain their friendship.

If the parties cannot agree with each other, they can find mediation or a collaborative divorce procedure useful to reach an amicable solution. During a divorce, the most common assets to divide include homes, pensions, retirement income, vehicles, and jewelry. Marital debts are also classified as matrimonial, divisible or separate, and separated accordingly. Consultation fees apply to family law matters, which can include things like separation, divorce, custody, alimony, and the fair distribution of emergencies. Fair division is a legal process that can help ensure an equitable division of property between spouses in North Carolina. This includes property acquired before the marriage, as well as gifts and inheritances granted to one of the parties after the marriage has begun. In almost all cases of equitable distribution, the parties must participate in mediation to see if they can reach an agreement on their own. If the spouses cannot agree, litigation is their only option.

In these cases, it is always a judge who will determine how the property will be divided, not a jury. A judge will determine a variety of factors to determine an equitable division of property, including: Equitable distribution is a legal term that means fair or equitable. This is the process by which North Carolina courts distribute property and debts during divorce proceedings. In North Carolina, equitable distribution is the process of dividing assets and debts acquired during marriage. The theory behind equitable distribution is that marriage is a joint partnership and therefore each spouse has an equal right to matrimonial property. It is important to note that North Carolina does not grant common-law relationships. Unmarried couples living together do not have the same legal rights as married couples. This includes property distribution rights if the couple separates. One way to avoid these problems is to decide what percentage of the property each partner owns before moving in. Under North Carolina law, unmarried couples can be called roommates or roommates. While roommates share ownership equally, joint tenants each own a certain percentage of the property.

It doesn`t matter which spouse is filing for divorce. In addition, marital guilt or any other type of misconduct generally plays no role in the division of property, with the exception of financial marital misconduct. It is not necessarily an equal division of property, but rather an equitable distribution. The distribution of assets includes pensions, pension plans, investments, stocks, bonds, etc. acquired during the marriage. In most cases, a divorced spouse will need a court order to confiscate an ex-spouse`s retirement income in the future. An interim division occurs when matrimonial property is distributed by a judge or by agreement of the parties before the equitable division is completed. This type of distribution is useful because it can help classify certain properties for both parties in advance. For the final equitable distribution, all intermediate distributions are taken into account. Equitable distribution is a method of distributing the property and debts of marriage. This can be done by mutual consent without going to court, but it is not always possible as it can be a contentious issue during separation and divorce. In fact, part of the answer to the question “Should I get divorced” should include a careful look at your assets and whether a divorce makes financial sense for you and your loved ones.

If you have significant separate, matrimonial, and/or divisible property, it`s best to contact a divorce attorney in North Carolina as soon as possible to protect your assets. Call us today at 855-928-0531 to schedule your free consultation. Marriage settlement agreements are a means of achieving equitable distribution. These types of agreements often require a lot of work and negotiation between the two parties, but they allow for a more flexible approach to dividing property during divorce proceedings. After asking for a fair distribution in court, a judge will take three steps to determine how the property should be divided between you and your spouse. Before property can be divided in a divorce in North Carolina, it must be classified as separate property or matrimonial property. In North Carolina, segregated ownership refers to assets or liabilities that are personally owned by a spouse. All property (immovable or personal) acquired by one of the spouses before the marriage or acquired during the marriage by gift or inheritance is considered separate property. In contrast, matrimonial property is defined as any property acquired by one of the spouses during the marriage. Whether you`re divorcing or you and your long-time partner have decided to separate, dividing your wealth is often one of the hardest issues to solve. Most couples collect goods together such as their homes, vacation properties, cars, artwork and more.