Portland Marital Asset Attorneys

Skilled Marital Asset Law Firm in Portland, Oregon

“Marital assets” is a legal term that refers to the property spouses collect throughout the duration of their marriage.  Common marital assets include, but are not limited to:  houses, cars, furniture, savings, retirement funds, and debt.  When two people marry, they incur one another’s wins and losses.  The same holds true when spouses decide to divorce or separate.  Both the wins (property) and the losses (debt) must be divided and distributed.

In the state of Oregon, marital assets are subject to equitable distribution law, which means that assets are distributed by the court in the event of a divorce or a legal separation.  Regardless of who contributed what, the laws of equitable distribution assume that each spouse contributed equally, so property must then be divided equally.  The only instances where property will not be distributed equally is when one of the souses can prove that he or she contributed more than the other spouse, when the spouses have a pre or post nuptial agreement in place, or when property is categorized as separate.

Separate Property

“Separate property” is a legal term that refers to property that was acquired before, after, or outside of the marriage. For example, if a spouse started a business after his or her marriage had ended, he or she would get to keep the revenue from that business and the revenue would not be subject to equitable distribution.  

Portland Marital Asset Lawyers

When spouses are about to divorce or separate, the issue of marital assets and property distribution is likely to arise, and will have to be dealt with.  People who have questions or concerns related to marital assets should always take the time to speak with an experienced Portland nuptial lawyer.  A nuptial attorney can help the person identify marital assets, make a list of separate assets, and advise the person of Oregon’s equitable distribution laws. 

If you need help with a legal matter involving marital assets in Portland, it is always a wise idea to consult a professional Oregon nuptial attorney!