It’s very important to start planning early in your divorce proceeding, especially when you have complex property issues. Just because you owned a piece of property before the date you were married doesn’t necessarily mean it is entirely separate property, though it could be. In many cases, you’re dealing with what’s called hybrid property, which is a combination of separate property and marital property.
You would typically look at the value of the property on the date of the marriage, and that portion would likely be considered separate property. Any increase in the value of the property during the marriage is arguably marital property. In some cases, the entire property can become marital.
Every case is different, so it’s crucial to work with an experienced family law attorney who understands how property is defined and valued to ensure you get a proper outcome.
