Handling Marital Asset Division In Military Divorces

After divorce, you both will live on less. A court won’t approve a lopsided division of marital property, so it doesn’t make sense to further drain your assets through bitter litigation.

I am family law attorney Keith Schulefand and have more than 30 years of experience in family law service. I believe that an out-of-court solution is preferable to a division of assets dictated by a judge. I work to make sure my clients are treated fairly in property settlement negotiations. I also seek to resolve divorces with the least time, expense and hostility. If litigation is required, I keep it focused and brief.

I sit down with my clients to identify all assets, debts and post-divorce obligations. I will determine which assets are separate property, and are therefore not subject to marital property division. Before negotiations, I take the time to explore:

• What’s most important to you
• What you’re willing to give up or accept as offsets

We don’t want any surprises later. As your attorney, I will make sure the property division and separation agreement covers:

• Real estate, including the marital home
• Personal property
• Closely held businesses
• Life insurance and health insurance
• Stocks, investments and accounts
• 401(k), pensions, IRAs and deferred compensation
• Allocation of credit card and other debt
• Medical bills not paid by insurance
• Dependency exemptions for children (only one parent can claim this exemption)
• College expenses (if agreed upon or ordered by a court)

Retirement funds are often the largest assets and the biggest sources of contention in marital property division. A qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) allows each spouse to take a designated share and hold it in their own name. I can draft or review QDROs to ensure the transfer is not taxed and to verify the QDRO is divided consistent with the divorce agreement.

Bankruptcy is a common outgrowth of divorce. I can advise on whether it would be better to discharge marital debts before or after the dissolution, or to file at all.

Contact My Office Today

I provide the personal attention needed to see that your marital property division is settled in a fair and timely way. Email my office to arrange for an initial consultation.