Springfield Property Division Lawyers

Helping You Devise Fair Property Settlements

The division of marital property during a divorce is of critical importance in preparing for the life changes that follow, especially where there are economic disparities between spouses. At Lowther Johnson, Attorneys at Law, LLC in Springfield, we offer experienced property division services with your best interests in mind. In a dispute over the distribution of assets and debts during divorce, we assert your rights as we pursue a fair property settlement that will ease your transition to a new phase in life.

Contact our property division attorneys in Springfield today to find out more about how we can help.

Reliable Advocates Protecting Your Assets During Divorce

Our firm asserts your interests under Missouri’s equitable distribution doctrine, by which courts divide marital property in a fair, if not necessarily even, manner. When divorcing spouses cannot agree on how to split their assets, a family law court will make decisions based on a host of considerations that include each spouse’s current financial circumstances, future earning capacity, contributions to the marriage, ownership of non-marital property value, conduct during the marriage and child custody obligations.

The court also determines what is or is not marital property. It generally includes anything acquired after marriage and before legal separation or divorce, except for bequests, inheritances, and gifts from third parties. While assets owned by either party prior to marriage are considered to be non-marital, they can become marital if they are commingled or if improved or maintained during marriage by the other spouse’s efforts or funds. Our attorneys are skilled at identifying property as marital or separate and making the strongest arguments for a classification of ownership that benefits our clients.

Here are examples of how courts handle certain types of assets:

• Real estate — A parcel of real property acquired during the marriage is considered jointly owned and may be subject to a sale and division of proceeds. In the case of a family home, a court may decide to allow the spouse with primary custody of the couple’s children to remain in possession, which may postpone the division of the asset.
• Personal property — Possessions such as clothing, furniture, and vehicles may be divided according to their fair market value if designated as marital property.
• Bank accounts and other liquid assets — Marital funds are subject to division whether held in joint or individual bank accounts. Sums of money acquired as separate property can become marital if they are comingled or used to acquire marital assets — for example, an inheritance that is used as part of a cash payment for jointly owned real estate.
• Stocks, bonds, and other investments —Investment ownership prior to marriage is considered separate property, but interest, dividends, and appreciation during the marriage are deemed marital, as are stock options awarded to an employee as compensation during the marriage.

Whatever types of assets are involved, you can rely on our attorneys to advocate for a just distribution and to pursue a fair property settlement in or out of the court.

Litigating the Distribution of Marital Debts

Marital debts are divided similarly to assets. Debts incurred during marriage are generally treated as marital and shared between spouses. To determine whether a debt is marital, Missouri courts assess such factors as when the debt was incurred, by whom, and for what purpose. A debt is usually the responsibility of one spouse if he or she incurred it solely for their own benefit. Our attorneys defend you from unjust financial burdens by making sure debt is properly classified and equitably divided.

Contact Our Seasoned Springfield Property Division Attorneys for Assistance

At Lowther Johnson, Attorneys at Law, LLC, we provide reliable legal support for all issues concerning the division of marital property.

We champion your interests and help you obtain the settlement that you are entitled to. To learn more about our services, schedule a consultation by calling (417) 557-3407 or contact us online.