Legal experience for Property division Matters

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Dividing assets, property and debt is one of the more complex aspects of divorce. If done well, it can ensure that both spouses have the resources they need for stability and comfort after divorce. Without the help of an experienced attorney, however, the process can be lengthy, highly contentious and likely to result in an unfavorable outcome.

When you hire the attorneys at Vinsko & Associates, P.C., you’ll have nearly two decades of legal experience on your side. We have the skills and knowledge necessary to guide you through all aspects of your divorce, including division of property.

Like most states, Pennsylvania uses the equitable distribution model of property division. This means that divorcing couples are required to divide marital assets equitably, which is not always the same as “equally.” After weighing all considerations, judges can deviate from a 50-50 split if doing so would produce an equitable result.

Equitable distribution applies only to marital property, which is generally considered to be property acquired by either spouse during the marriage or property acquired using marital funds.

Assets acquired prior to marriage are considered nonmarital (or separate) assets and are generally not subject to division. However, if a nonmarital asset increases in value during the marriage, the increase may be subject to equitable distribution laws.

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The details are critical in most legal proceedings, and property division is no exception. As your representatives in negotiation or litigation, we will:

• Help you make important decisions about the “big-ticket” assets like the marital residence, vehicles and investment portfolios
• Ensure that all assets are properly valued, including accounting for factors like tax liabilities or value appreciation/depreciation over time
• Ensure that you acquire your fair share of retirement assets, even if most or all of these assets are in your spouse’s retirement plan

In general, our goal will be to prioritize the assets that are most important to you and your children while strategically trading away less-important assets.

 If you are a business owner, you may be rightly worried about how the divorce could threaten the future of your business. A closely held business is often considered a marital asset, which means that your spouse could have an ownership stake even if they play no role in daily operations.

As attorneys who practice business law as well as family law, we are well-suited to protecting what may be your most important asset. We will begin by ensuring that all business assets are properly valued and that each spouse’s ownership stake is correctly calculated. Then, we will inform you of your options, including obtaining full ownership of your business in the divorce.

 With offices in Wilkes-Barre and Philadelphia, Vinsko & Associates, P.C., serves clients throughout the surrounding areas. To discuss property division or any other family law issue with our skilled attorneys, contact us to schedule an initial consultation. You can reach out online or call 570-970-9700.