Property Division Guide

When you and your partner have decided that divorce is the best option for your marriage, you need to make many important decisions. One such decision is the division of assets and the future income you both will need for a comfortable lifestyle.

Oregon is an “equitable distribution” state, meaning that in a divorce, the court will allocate property between the two spouses in an equitable and fair manner. Equitable can, but does not necessarily, mean evenly. This can lead to complexities based on the unique set of circumstances of each case. Washington uses community property principles to divide property and debts in the divorce process.

 

High Asset Divorce Cases

There is no question that cases with large assets bring complexities and challenges of a different sort. Our divorce attorneys have extensive experience representing individuals who are medical, legal, and tax professionals; executives; business owners; and/or those who have acquired wealth from their family. High-asset divorce cases often include multiple bank accounts, stock portfolios, businesses, and real properties, both in the couple’s home jurisdiction or elsewhere. Determining accurate values for the entire asset portfolio requires great experience and skill.

Understanding the true value and scope of your property in divorce is paramount to achieving a fair division of assets between you and your spouse. The value of certain assets may be simple to determine, while other assets require value appraisals or input from certified accountants or other experts. The attorneys at McKean Smith take the necessary steps to establish the value of your property to properly prepare for negotiations in mediation or for presentation to the court.