Settlement FAQs

could ex spouse be responsible for property after divorse settlement

by Dr. Jimmy Borer Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

For properties purchased by the husband, after a divorce, the wife cannot make her claims for the same. An example would be a flat bought for the husband and married that was acquired in his name, after divorce. The owner who owns the registered property in whose name it is registered is recognized by Indian law.

In every divorce, a couple's property and debts must be divided between them. But each spouse will keep their own separate property, and they'll be responsible for their own separate debts. (Learn about the difference between marital and separate property.)

Full Answer

What happens to property after a divorce?

What Happens to Property After a Divorce? How is property divided after a divorce? When the court grants a divorce, property will be divided equitably (not always equally) between the two spouses. This is decided under the Equitable Distribution Law. During the divorce both spouses have to tell the court about their income and any debts they owe.

How is property divided in a divorce settlement?

Property is normally the single most significant asset in a marriage and, therefore, it is at the core of most financial settlements in a divorce. Often during the transfer of property ownership after divorce the matrimonial home is sold and the proceeds divided between the two parties.

How can we help with my divorce and property settlement agreement?

We can help you with your divorce and property settlement agreement. Just call us at 209-910-9865 to tell us what you’re going through. We’ll put together a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.

Can an ex spouse reopen a divorce case and award additional property?

Under certain circumstances, an ex spouse can ask the family court to reopen a divorce case and award additional property. How is Property Division Handled During a Divorce? Although laws on property division vary a bit from state-to-state, the general rules are the same.

Can a creditor come after me for my ex-spouse's debts?

Unless you were contractually released by a creditor or your ex-spouse refinanced a loan, removing your name from it, the divorce decree will not change the original agreement. Therefore, you will technically still owe these debts and creditors could still come after you for payments.

Can you sue your ex husband after divorce?

You will need to show that your former spouse (the defendant) behaved in an outrageous manner that caused you severe emotional harm. Your spouse's conduct might have been wrong and hurtful, but it still might not be actionable legally. Further, state laws vary widely on this issue.

Can spouse stay on mortgage after divorce?

Your home loan could continue to be your legal responsibility -- even after a divorce. Many married couples have a joint mortgage on a shared family home.

How do I divorce my wife and keep everything?

7 Tips to Avoid Giving Up Too Much to Your Wife in Your DivorceTip #1: Identify Your “Separate” Assets. ... Tip #2: Prioritize Your “Marital” Assets. ... Tip #3: Think about Your Wife's Priorities. ... Tip #4: Weigh Your Options. ... Tip #5: Consider the Other Financial Aspects of Your Divorce. ... Tip #6: Put Together a Plan.More items...•

Can ex wife claim inheritance after divorce?

If there should not be a residue beneficiary, the inheritance will devolve in terms of the laws of intestate succession. So by deeming the ex-spouse predeceased, s2B ensures that the ex-spouse does not inherit even though they are named as a beneficiary while the rest of the Will stays intact.

Can I sue my ex for emotional distress after divorce?

Yes, but only in rare situations in which your ex's behavior was really bad and the distress you suffer is severe. In some states you must have physical symptoms to move a case forward. You do not need to have suffered physical abuse, but a standard breakup is not enough.

Can you remove someone's name from a mortgage without refinancing?

It may be possible to take a person's name off your mortgage documents without refinancing. Ask your lender about loan assumption and loan modification. Either strategy can be used to remove a former co-owner's name from the mortgage.

How do you not lose your house in a divorce?

In many cases, the simplest way to keep the house in a divorce if it still has a mortgage is to refinance. The best-case scenario is for you to refinance and remove the mortgage from your ex's name altogether. You'll need to qualify for the mortgage on your own, so make sure to have all your financial ducks in a row.

How do you buy your ex out of your house?

How do you buy out a house in a divorce? With a house buyout, you have two main options: paying the remaining balance and equity in full in cash, or refinancing your mortgage and using the equity to buy out your ex-spouse. You can buy your ex's share of the equity straight out if you have enough cash on hand.

How do you play dirty in a divorce?

Dirty Divorce TricksLeave Him With Nothing. A female client is contemplating leaving the marital home. ... Cancel the Credit Cards. ... Get Him Fired. ... Cutting Off the Utilities. ... Tell the Paramour's Spouse. ... Move out of State with the Kids. ... Clean out the Bank Accounts. ... File an Accusation of Child Abuse.More items...

Do I have to support my wife after divorce?

As long as the couple remains married, the court does not set a time limit on spousal support. Maintenance on the other hand, is support the higher-earning spouse pays after the divorce is finalized.

Can I empty my bank account before divorce?

Can You Empty Your Bank Account Before Divorce? However, doing so just before or during a divorce is going to have consequences because the contents of that account will almost certainly be considered marital property. That means it will be an equitable division in the divorce settlement.

Can I sue my ex for emotional damage?

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. In California, victims who suffer emotional distress because of another person's conduct can file a lawsuit for the intentional infliction of emotional distress. There is no requirement that a victim suffers a physical injury.

Can I sue my ex-husband for PTSD?

Can I sue for PTSD? You can sue for PTSD as the basis for an emotional distress claim in a personal injury lawsuit.

Can I sue my ex-husband for defamation of character?

You can sue your ex-wife, ex-husband, or anybody who defamed you. Your ex must have made slanderous statements against you, incurring sufferable damages: If they claim that you were physically abusive, for instance, and you can prove that you were not, there may be grounds for a case.

Can I sue my ex for money owed?

Yes, you can sue him. The real question is whether you'll win, which depends on whether you can prove he owes you money. This will be much easier to do if you have a written agreement with him, or even evidence of what your agreement...

How to resolve a divorce issue?

There are several ways to resolve post-divorce issues. First, you may want to try working things out directly with your ex-spouse. If that goes nowhere, your lawyer may be able to settle the problem by sending a few letters to your ex. You may also suggest mediation.

What happens if you don't agree with a divorce?

If the spouses can’t agree, they’ll have to go to trial and ask a judge to make a property division order which is then incorporated into a divorce judgment.

What does a spouse need to show to change a judgment?

A spouse will need to show extreme circumstances to convince a court to change a property judgment. Although states have an interest in making sure judgments are final, they also have a strong interest in the proper division of property, sufficient support awards, and discouraging misconduct in divorce proceedings.

What is marital property?

marital property—property that’s acquired during the marriage, but not acquired by either spouse as a gift or an inheritance. Marital property is divided in a divorce. separate property —property acquired individually before or after the marriage and any assets acquired by either spouse as a gift or inheritance.

What is required to be disclosed in divorce?

Spouses must identify all property that’s subject to division in the divorce through a mandatory disclosure process. Both spouses are required to fill out court forms listing all property they own . Spouses must not only specifically list all property, but also include the date the property was purchased. This will give both spouses a clear picture of what needs to be divided. In California, the form is called a Schedule of Assets and Debts. Spouses must sign these forms under penalty of perjury before exchanging them—so it’s essential for each spouse to be completely honest when providing this information. If a court finds out that you provided false information on this form, it could sanction (punish) you.

Why did one spouse commit fraud?

one spouse committed fraud to keep the innocent spouse from being fully informed about property

What is a written settlement agreement?

Once the spouses have agreed on the character, value, and division of property , they can memorialize their agreements in a written property settlement agreement (also called a marital settlement agreement). They will submit this to a judge who will incorporate it into a final divorce judgment. If the spouses can’t agree, they’ll have to go to trial and ask a judge to make a property division order which is then incorporated into a divorce judgment.

What happens when you divorce?

When you divorce, you’re dissolving your marriage contract. While that seems like an unfeeling way to look at things, it’s how the law sees it—and your property division is no different. Treating property division as a negotiation process can make things much simpler.

What Should I Ask for in a Divorce Settlement?

If you’re like many people, you’ve heard divorce stories that run the length of the entire spectrum — some people say, “She took everything from me!” while others say, “We had a fair settlement. Actually, maybe I got more than he did.”

How Do You Negotiate Spousal Support?

Before you begin negotiations, remember that the judge in your case will only sign off on your agreement if it’s fair to both of you — and if the paying party can reasonably afford it.

What to do when one spouse doesn't agree to spousal support?

When one spouse doesn’t agree that the other needs spousal support, negotiating for it can be incredibly difficult. You may need your attorney to step in. However, if you’re both in agreement that some spousal support should change hands, make sure that you can see things from your spouse’s point of view.

How to help your spouse collaborate with you?

Ask questions to help your spouse collaborate with you. Think about saying things like, “I’m worried about being able to pay a sitter while I’m at school. What are your ideas?”

What is equal property settlement?

That means the property you acquire (beginning on the day you marry and ending on the day your marriage ends) is supposed to be divided equally between you when you divorce. A property settlement agreement is the agreement you and your spouse reach to divide your property equally and fairly. Equal doesn’t always mean 50-50, though.

What to ask for in a divorce case?

The answer is simple: Ask for what you need to be reasonably satisfied with the outcome. Remember, too, that the judge is unlikely to sign off on anything that’s patently unfair (to you or your spouse). Don’t ask for the house, the cars, all the furniture, your savings accounts and half your spouse’s retirement — even if you’re pretty sure you deserve all those things.

What to do if your ex denies you access to your house?

Go to court. If your spouse still denies you access, your attorney can take legal action. You may need to go back to court and ask for an order disposing of the property. Additionally, since your ex may be in violation of the divorce decree, another option is to petition the family court for charges of contempt.

How long can a property sit before being abandoned?

In many states, it is one year. Even if the time has come and gone, there are still legalities to consider.

What to write in a letter to my spouse?

An attorney can write a stern letter informing your spouse of your legal rights and detailing the procedure of how you will secure your things (for instance, if your things aren't returned by a specific date, you or your representative will come in on a particular day at a particular time with, perhaps, law enforcement, to get them).

How to get rid of items left by ex?

Write a certified letter to your ex detailing what items have been left (including pictures may be smart) and asking that they be removed within a certain time period (no less than 30 days). Be specific and include things like pickup arrangements, when your ex can have access to the home, how to reach you to make arrangements, etc. If your ex agrees and the items are removed, problem solved.

Can you remove personal property after divorce?

Even after a divorce has been finalized, many previously married couples still encounter conflict with their ex-spouse when trying to remove personal property from the marital home or, on the flip side, getting access to the home so belongings can be removed. This can include not only furniture and household items, ...

Does legal action cost money?

Legal action costs money. If the items are insignificant in terms of real or emotional value, you may be better off just letting your ex have control of them rather than returning to court.

Can you dispose of your ex's house?

If your ex is on the deed to the house, for example, and is paying the mortgage, you can’t rightfully dispose of the items. Ownership of the home gives your ex storage rights. But whether the items are there rightfully or not, it doesn't mean you have to be stuck with them forever.

Property settlement agreement after divorce

A property settlement agreement after divorce is simply the part of the financial settlement reached between a divorcing couple that relates to property which needs to be separated.

Can my ex-spouse sign the house over to me?

Yes – if the matrimonial home is mortgage-free, it may be transferred between either divorcing parties as part of the overall financial settlement. What this essentially entails is removing the name of one ex-spouse from the property deeds, leaving the other party as sole owner.

Removing name from land registry

A transfer of equity solicitor can draw up a title deed transfer that effectively transfers the property to one of the divorcing parties and removes the name of the other ex-spouse from the deeds.

Transferring ownership of a house with mortgage

If a property still has a mortgage, permission will need to be sought from the mortgage lender before ownership of the house can be transferred.

Transfer property to spouse capital gains tax

There is usually no CGT on transfer property to spouse (Capital Gains Tax) where the principal matrimonial residence is being transferred; these are treated as being made on a ‘no gain, no loss’ basis for CGT purposes as long as transfers are completed before the end of the tax year of separation.

Transfer property to spouse stamp duty

If the property is being transferred as part of a divorce settlement, there is no Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) to pay.

Transfer of equity legal considerations

A transfer of equity, or transfer of property ownership, will generally form part of the overall financial settlement.

What happens to property after divorce?

The divorcee then re-marries, adds the new spouse as a joint owner of the property, and on the divorcee’s death, the new spouse then takes the full benefit from the property.

Why does property pass outside of the deceased's estate?

The reason for this occurring is due to the way in which the property is held. In these circumstances, the property passes outside of the Deceased’s estate and is not available for distribution to the beneficiaries of the Deceased’s Will (or in accordance with the Intestacy Rules if no Will has been made). Should the divorcee have had children ...

How to hold a property as a tenant in common?

Ordinarily, if a property is held as tenants in common, a Declaration of Trust will be drafted alongside the conveyancing documents so as to record the shares in which the property is held, so that the type of ownership can be recorded on the Land Registry title. Unhelpfully, when properties are owned in this way, the Land Registry title does not make reference to the property being held as tenants in common but rather places a restriction on either or any of the co-owners being able to dispose of the property without the consent of the other (s).

What does the survivorship rule mean?

It is easy to see how in these circumstances, the survivorship rule may mean only one side of a family benefits, or an asset which was a family home but later inhabited by one parent and their new partner/spouse becomes an asset of the incoming family, thus disinheriting the children from the first relationship.

What does it mean when a property is owned by a joint tenant?

Joint Tenants. If a property is owned as joint tenants, that means that there is no divisible share owned by any of the co-owners. The property is held jointly and when the first co-owner passes, under the rules of survivorship, the property passes to the survivor.

Is a property held as joint tenants?

It is becoming increasingly common for enquiries to be made where a property has passed outside of an estate as a result of it being held as joint tenants. If a property is held at joint tenants, and after having received legal advice, a decision is made that it would be more advantageous to hold the property as tenants in common, ...

What statute requires a family court to divide property in a divorce?

In a nutshell, the father argued that the applicable statute (A.R.S. § 25-318) requires that the family court must divide all community and jointly held property in a divorce, and forcing the parties to own property jointly for such an extended period of time is a violation of the family court’s obligation under that statute.

What happens if one of the tenants dies before the six years?

For instance, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, if one of them were to die before the six years expired and before the homes sold, then the survivor would obtain a windfall by getting the value of both properties instead of only half.

What happened in Dole v. Michael Blair?

Here is what happened. In Dole v. Honorable Michael Blair, the family court (Judge Blair ) was presented with a difficult decision. The mother and the father owned two homes. During the divorce process, the mother stayed in what had been the marital residence, and the father moved into what had been a rental property.

Can you own property after divorce?

Yes, but only if the two of you agree. I have seen scenarios where divorcing spouses want to jointly own property even after the divorce, including real estate, businesses, animals, etc. My general rule of thumb that jointly owning property with your ex is a bad idea and only leads to future problems and litigation.

Did the father want to sell both houses?

Both homes had equity, but both homes had mortgages. The father wanted to sell both homes and equally divide the sale proceeds. The mother wanted to be awarded the marital home and stay there at least until their youngest child emancipated—which would not occur for 6 years.

Can a spouse refinance a home after divorce?

In most divorces, where one spouse wants to be awarded the marital home, the court can do so, but will generally order that a refinance must occur so the other spouse is removed from the existing mortgage. In Dole, the mother was apparently not able to refinance the marital home, and so staying there would require that the sale of the marital home be postponed.

What would happen if one spouse died while you were still co-owners?

First, what would happen if one spouse died while you were still co-owners? Each of you has the right to leave your share at death. If you've agreed that one of you will stay in the house until the kids are a certain age, you could also agree that during that period you'll each leave your share of the house to the other, so that the resident spouse can continue to stay as you planned. This requires that you both make wills immediately.

What is co-ownership in real estate?

Co-ownership also an option in a weak real estate market if you believe things are going to improve. Or you might delay the sale until a specified event, perhaps your youngest child's graduation from high school. (This is called a "deferred sale.")

What are the advantages of co-ownership?

If the custodial parent can't afford to buy the other one out, then the obvious advantage is that the kids get to stay in the house anyway, providing an important sense of security and continuity for them.

Is a house transfer taxable after divorce?

If you own the house together for a significant period of time after your divorce becomes final, you also risk losing the important tax benefit of IRS Section 1041, which is the rule that says transfers between spouses as a result of a divorce are not taxable. Section 1041 applies as long as the transfer takes place within a year ...

Can a spouse not living in the house sell the house?

You run the additional risk that the spouse not living in the house might have a change of heart later and want (or need) to sell sooner than anticipated. Your settlement agreement should set a specific time that the house can be sold—if it does, the agreement will govern. But anyone who's really determined to get out of an agreement can make your life miserable in the bargain—for example, by claiming that the agreement was entered into under duress and forcing you into a court fight over that issue. So if you think the decision might not stick, don't make it in the first place.

Can you keep your house after divorce?

It's not unusual for spouses to continue owning the family home together after a divorce, especially where kids are involved. For example, if one of you wants to buy the other out but can't afford to do it all at once, you might agree that payments can be made over time while both of you keep an interest in the house. Co-ownership also an option in a weak real estate market if you believe things are going to improve. Or you might delay the sale until a specified event, perhaps your youngest child's graduation from high school. (This is called a "deferred sale.")

Can my spouse make late mortgage payments?

You also bear the risk that your spouse will make late mortgage payments that will hurt your credit rating. There's also a fair amount of accounting involved. You must decide how you will share the mortgage and upkeep expenses and who can take the mortgage interest deduction.

How long after divorce can I sue my ex?

(This can be confusing in a state such as Mississippi, where the statute of limitations for domestic judgments is seven years, but three years for other civil actions.) The time limit, however, does not necessarily begin when the settlement is finalized.

What are the disadvantages of selling a house during divorce?

But there are some disadvantages when selling during the divorce: Any children in the home might have to leave their school and give up their extracurricular activities if the sale occurs during the school year. Maintaining the home can put a strain on the finances of the spouse who is keeping the house.

Why is it so hard to sell a house with a real estate agent?

They pay cash for homes in any condition, and the transaction is usually completed in only a few days. Because of legal problems or costly repairs, some property is difficult to sell with a real estate agent or through a FSBO sale.

Why do investors pay cash for houses?

Because investors pay cash for houses in any condition, they must buy those houses at discounted prices. When you get a cash offer from an investor, all of their expenses for fixing up and reselling your home are factored into the offer. Consequently, their offer will be lower than the market value of the property.

What are the advantages of selling to a real estate investor?

Advantages of Selling to a Real Estate Investor. A divorcing couple won’t have to spend much time cooperating when selling to a real estate investor. Investors handle all possible property-related problems themselves. If you are going through a divorce, you may have put off making some needed home repairs.

Does divorce add stress to your life?

Divorce adds significant stress to daily life. Adding the pressure of a FSBO sale could be overwhelming, especially if your ex-partner disagrees with you on some of the aspects of marketing and selling your property.

Is selling a house before a divorce taxable?

While the division of a house in a divorce is not taxable , the gain from the sale of a home is subject to capital gains tax (this will be discussed in greater detail later in the guide.)

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