An Efficient Protector Of Your Finances
Divorce is a legal and financial event. Properly dividing your assets and securing an equitable division is vital to starting your single life with the resources you need. At The Law Office of Catherine Verdery Ryan, we have been helping clients with property division matters and complex divorces for over 30 years. Ms. Ryan knows what it takes to efficiently and effectively gather evidence to obtain a fair division of assets.
Property Division Basics
Property division refers to the process of gathering information on the total assets and debts of the parties to the divorce and then dividing them in a way that is fair. An equitable division may or may not mean an equal division of all assets.
Your marital assets eligible for a division may include:
- The marital house
- Retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k), pensions)
- Stocks and stock options
- Bank accounts
- Business ownership interests
- Personal property such as vehicles, household goods, furniture and jewelry
- Other investments
- Debts incurred during the marriage (credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, etc.)
Ms. Ryan is an experienced Augusta divorce lawyer who will ensure you have the resources to obtain a complete picture of your finances. She has built a network of outside professionals who can provide assistance if needed, including tax specialists, accountants, property appraisers and real estate agents.
What Does The Equitable Distribution Of Property Mean?
Equitable does not mean equal or a 50-50 division of assets, it means fair and just. The court takes many factors into consideration when determining what is fair. This includes the debt, annual income and earning capacity of each spouse, as well as the age and health of each spouse. If a cheating spouse led to the divorce, the court may take that into account as well when dividing property.
What Is The Difference Between Marital Property And Separate Property?
In simple terms, marital property is any debt or asset acquired during your marriage and belongs to both spouses. Separate property is anything you owned prior to getting married. However, there are a lot of exceptions and circumstances where specific types of assets do not fall under these broad definitions. For example, inheritances and gifts given to an individual spouse by an independent third party acquired during the marriage are considered separate property, not marital property. Ms. Ryan can help you determine what counts as marital property and what does not.
Everything Necessary To Protect Your Finances
Catherine Ryan’s job is to protect her clients’ finances. That means safeguarding your financial future. She will not prolong the divorce unnecessarily or take any superfluous steps. Ms. Ryan will work directly with you to determine what you need after the divorce to be financially and emotionally stable. Once that is established, she will work effectively to get you where you need to be. When dividing assets in a divorce, her first priority is securing your financial situation both today and in the future.
Learn More About How We Protect Your Finances By Calling Today For A Phone Consultation
Attorney Catherine Ryan offers phone consultations and replies promptly to questions and concerns because she understands the importance of your legal issue. Contact us online or call us at 706-251-7612 to begin protecting your financial future with an established divorce attorney today.
We only practice in the state of Georgia.