Reston, Virginia Property Division Attorney

Experienced Asset Division Lawyer for Divorcing Spouses in Northern Virginia

Property division in your divorce is not as simple as choosing who gets to keep what, but rather it requires a full accounting and valuation of your shared property. You need an experienced attorney who understands the laws thoroughly and how to effectively negotiate for your rights.

Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law is committed to advocating for a fair and equitable resolution when dividing assets and debts during your divorce. We will take the time to gain a thorough understanding of your goals, situation, and potential challenges. Armed with that knowledge, we tailor our strategies to your circumstances. Property division for military families and high-asset couples often includes unique complexities, but we are well-equipped to handle them competently.

Understanding Equitable Distribution

In Virginia, divorcing spouses do not necessarily receive half of marital assets and debts. Instead, equitable distribution gives each spouse a fair share based on various factors, which include:

• Each spouse's financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage
• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse's health, age, financial means, and earning capacity
• Individually owned assets and debts, whether from before the marriage or an inheritance or gift during the marriage
• Any intentional debt accumulation or wasting of assets

Determining what is fair is not an exact science. We will take measures to help protect your financial future in property division, regardless of how complex your situation is.

Marital Debts and Assets Must Be Divided in Virginia Divorce

To divide up your marital estate, you need a complete list of all jointly owned assets and debts, which we will use as a basis for equitable division. Inheritances can be either marital or individual assets, depending on specific factors. Some couples can agree on property division terms on their own, but most have at least a few disputes. We will help you resolve them while safeguarding your interests.

Property division includes much more than your home and cars. It covers who gets to keep which TV, kitchen utensils, and furniture. You may have keepsakes from family vacations that you need to split. An accurate value needs to be placed on each item. Similarly, you probably have several types of debt. Medical bills, credit card debt, personal loans, car loans, and mortgages may need to be allocated between you and your spouse.

Property Division Disputes

If you cannot agree on who gets what, you have options for resolving your disputes:

• Negotiations: You and your future ex can negotiate terms through your attorneys. This approach can reduce conflict while allowing us to protect your best interests.
• Collaborative Law: Each spouse, along with their attorney, works toward a mutual agreement. Couples who choose this route should be willing to compromise and commit to avoiding litigation.
• Mediation: A mediator steps in to help each side find common ground by keeping the focus on finding acceptable solutions instead of the conflict.
• Litigation: We will present your side of the argument to the court. Once the judge makes a ruling, you must follow the terms of the decree.

There is not a single solution that works well for everyone. We will endeavor to find the dispute resolution method that best suits your situation.

Call Our Reston, VA Property Division Lawyer

You deserve your fair share of marital assets in a divorce, and you should not be left responsible for more than your share of marital debts. Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law will work diligently on your behalf to ensure that distribution is, in fact, equitable. To learn more, reach out to us online or call us at 703-373-4761 to schedule an initial consultation.