Division of Marital Property/Debt

St. Louis Property Division Lawyer

As you consider divorce, you are right to be concerned about the economic consequences, particularly if the marital estate is large. The process of division of marital property and debt is final, unlike negotiations regarding spousal maintenance, child support, and custody. The most common error on the part of an attorney is the failure to identify all marital property during the process. If during your divorce asset division is not handled skillfully, or if all related issues are not thoroughly addressed, your financial security may be irreversibly damaged.

Division of marital property will set the stage for your economic future – it is extremely important to work with a divorce lawyer with the knowledge, skill, and commitment to protect your interests during the process.

At our St. Louis family law practice, divorce attorney Jonathan Marks will take the time to help you identify clear goals and take effective measures to protect your interests. He will then assemble the appropriate team to handle all financial valuations and transfers. It is important to find an arrangement that maximizes the benefit of the marital estate, rather than diminishing it. If you would like to speak with Jonathan, please contact our St. Louis (Creve Coeur) office and make arrangements for an initial consultation.

Jonathan is prepared to handle large and complex marital property settlements. Items to consider during the process of division of marital debt and assets include:

• Retirement assets: Pension funds, IRAs, 401Ks, and other retirement assets acquired during the marriage are considered marital property. Jonathan will discuss valuation and tax considerations when preparing a strategy.
• Business valuation: If either spouse owns part of a business, we will enlist the right accountant to handle valuation.
• Real estate: The family home and other real estate holdings, whether acquired before or during the marriage, should be carefully evaluated.
• Other property: motor vehicles, personal property, boats, bank accounts, life insurance policies – Jonathan will see that nothing of value is overlooked when preparing a property settlement agreement.
• Securities: We will enlist a stockbroker to see that all transfers are handled correctly.
• Children's accounts: It is important to consider during negotiations which parent will be custodian of 529 college funds, savings accounts under the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act, and other property in your children's names.
• Debts: All credit card debt, car loans, mortgages, and other debts must be identified and considered during the divorce.
• Spousal maintenance: Depending on your circumstances, your divorce may involve an order for spousal maintenance. Attorney Marks will see that all financial considerations are considered when negotiating on your behalf.

The Marks Law Firm, St. Louis Missouri
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Our firm is AV-rated under Martindale Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating™ process, and our attorneys have been members of the Bar Register of Pre-eminent Lawyers since 2005. CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of member of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.