John and Jane are a married couple who live together in a home in California. They acquired the property shortly after their wedding twenty years ago. Jane has a photography studio in a loft above the garage where she meets with clients weekly. John, an avid builder, has spent … [Read more...]
Did your spouse acquire a community property interest in your separate property house? (Moore-Marsden)
You inherited or received real estate as a gift before or during marriage, or bought a house before getting married. You used your salaries, bonuses, commissions, or other income earned during marriage to make improvements or pay the mortgage principal on the property. You don't … [Read more...]
Should you become your ex-spouse’s creditor?
You're negotiating a separation or divorce agreement, and your spouse offers to pay you $X monthly for X years in exchange for your ownership interest in the house, retirement account, stock options or some other valuable asset. Should you accept your spouse's offer? Should you … [Read more...]
Are gifts or inheritance separate property in California?
You received a significant gift or inheritance while married and living in California post-1975. Now you want to know, is the gift or inheritance separate property under California law? Property acquired during marriage by gift, will, or inheritance is separate property. … [Read more...]
How to determine the house value in divorce
You and your spouse or partner own a home together and want to know the house value for purposes of dividing or equalization your assets. How do you determine a house's value for purposes of legal separation, divorce or the dissolution of a domestic partnership? If you … [Read more...]