Divorce means you’ll be metaphorically kissing your spouse goodbye, but that’s no reason to kiss all your stuff goodbye too! Property division remains one of the most dreaded parts of divorce proceedings, and for good reason. The process of identifying, quantifying, and dividing assets under California’s community property laws is painstaking and often perplexing to boot. That’s why trusting the process to qualified legal professionals like Vonnah Bagner of Bagner Law, PC is the best way to safeguard your property and make sure what’s rightfully yours stays yours. Bagner answers common FAQs related to property division and property division services.

How is property divided?

California seeks to divide property through what is called community property. In a nutshell, community property means that all assets acquired during marriage, including real estate, vehicles, business interests, and more, are all subject to equal division during the divorce. Yes, even if you were the primary breadwinner and did all of the legwork on acquiring said assets. Your spouse remains entitled to half if they choose to fight for it, which is why you’ll want excellent representation in your corner as proceedings unfold.

When is property divided?

We often see spirited debates take place in crowded courtrooms where both parties take turns trying to disparage and entrap one another, but this is pure sensationalism. Before the divorce goes to court, the parties will have a change to hash out the terms and reach an agreement through negotiation or mediation. Litigation is the last option if both parties are having trouble reaching an amenable agreement. Your family lawyer will be able to navigate these processes to ensure you are always keeping your goals in mind and fighting for your best outcome.

Can property division be modified after the divorce is finalized?

It seems that once the deal is done, that’s all she wrote. However, in some cases you can make changes to the property division arrangement after the divorce has finalized. Making changes will require legal proceedings and court approval, however, to make it an official, legal change. Spoken contracts among the two former spouses may seem easier, but they will not hold up in court if they are contested down the line.

Do I really need a lawyer?

There’s no rule or law, no pun intended, that says you have to hire a lawyer to help with your divorce, but it is highly recommended and the irrefutable best way to ensure you’re getting the best outcome possible from your divorce. A qualified family lawyer, like Vonnah Bagner, knows the law intimately and boasts ample experience on cases and divorces just like yours. Instead of wandering through what’s an uncharted process to you, let the team at Bagner Law, PC guide you through property division and other divorce proceedings. Call now for more information.