In most cases, inheritance acquired during the marriage would be considered a matrimonial asset, meaning that it forms part of the “joint pot” that is open for division during divorce proceedings. As a result, inheritance is not automatically excluded, and the courts do have powers to make it available to ex-spouses in certain circumstances.
How is an inheritance treated in a divorce?
Steps you can take to keep inherited assets separate include:
- Documenting that the inheritance is for you alone
- Creating separate accounts to hold inherited assets
- Setting up a trust to hold assets
- Executing a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
- Limiting your spouse’s access to and use of the asset
How to protect an inheritance from being divided in divorce?
- Setting up a new separate account to receive the assets;
- Refraining from putting any other assets into the account holding the inheritance, even temporarily; and
- Refraining from commingling the inheritance with any marital assets.
Is an inheritance subject to Division in a divorce?
The inheritance may then be included with the rest of your marital property, subject to division. Keeping your inheritance separate is the best way to protect your assets. If you do end up commingling the inheritance, you may still be able to keep the inheritance as long as you can show proof that it is your separate property.
Do inheritances get divided in a divorce?
Instead, inheritances are treated as separate property belonging to the person who received the inheritance, and therefore may not be divided between the parties in a divorce. However, if it's shared between spouses, an inheritance can be treated differently based on rules that vary greatly among the states.
What happens to money inherited from spouse?
Money inherited by one spouse during a marriage is generally treated differently than other money that comes into a marriage. Typically, when one spouse earns money during a marriage, that income is the property of both spouses. However, with inheritances, whether both spouses are entitled to part of the money will depend on a number of different factors. If you are expecting an inheritance or have received an inheritance and are considering divorce, you will want to talk with a knowledgeable attorney to help you protect the property.
How to make sure your inheritance remains yours?
One of the safest ways to make sure that your inheritance remains only yours is through a pre- or post-marital agreement. These agreements can lay out any understandings about marital and separate property. It is also important that you save any documentation that you have about bank accounts, investment accounts, and/or tax returns. ...
What is the difference between marital property and separate property?
One of the major concepts in divorce law is the difference between marital property and separate property. Marital property is property that is jointly owned by the couple. Separate property is owned by only one of the spouses, and thus is not subject to division during a divorce.
What to do if you are expecting an inheritance?
If you are expecting an inheritance or have received an inheritance and are considering divorce, you will want to talk with a knowledgeable attorney to help you protect the property.
Can separate property be marital property?
Separate property can become marital property if it is commingled with marital property. For example, if you are left an inheritance and you put in in a separate bank account in your name only and you use it only for personal expenses or personal investments, it will probably still be considered separate property.
Can inheritance be divided?
If the inheritance becomes marital property it will be subject to division upon divorce. It is also possible for some of the funds to keep their characterization as separate property and some to become marital property. A large part of the inquiry will depend on the intentions of the party.
Is inheritance considered marital property?
Most of the assets that are acquired by either party during a marriage are automatically considered marital property. Inheritances are separate property provided that the property is kept separate. However, state laws vary. Some states are reluctant to recognize separate property in the majority of situations.
How to protect your inheritance from divorce?
Where an individual may want to protect their inheritance from a claim during divorce proceedings, the ideal scenario is to enter into a prenuptial agreement before marriage or a post-nuptial agreement if the inheritance occurs during the marriage.
What happens to a couple's assets when they divorce?
When a couple marries, many solely owned assets (or pre-acquired assets) will change in nature and may become treated as joint assets. These so-called matrimonial assets can then be contested in the event of a divorce, with both parties claiming a right to a share.
What are the considerations for inheritance?
Other considerations will include: How long you and your spouse were married. Whether inherited assets were transferred into joint names or if the couple or family benefited from the use of the inheritance.
Is inheritance a joint asset?
It may be deemed a joint asset if it was, for example, deposited into a joint bank account. The court can reasonably assume that the inheritance benefited the family, rather than the individual whom the inheritance was bequeathed to.
Can a court decide when an inheritance was granted?
The court will also base its decision on when the inheritance was granted. If the inheritance was received before the marriage and the other spouse benefited (for example, the inheritance was used to secure other assets, they may be able to make a claim).
Can you inherit assets in divorce?
Future Inheritance and Divorce. Typically, the parties’ future inheritance prospects do not become assets under consideration in the event of divorce. Again, however, there are exceptions. If the inheritance is imminent and/or likely to be substantial, the court may take this into account when determining the division of marital assets.
Can Your Spouse Take Your Inheritance?
As a result, inheritance is not automatically excluded, and the courts do have powers to make it available to ex-spouses in certain circumstances.
How to protect your assets when you receive inheritance?
Take steps to keep definite, clear-cut borders between the two. If you recently received an inheritance, or stand to receive significant assets, it may be worth your while to consult an attorney. An experienced lawyer should be able to help you protect your assets.
What happens if you don't shield your inheritance?
If you don’t shield your inheritance properly, you may stand to lose a substantial amount in divorce.
What is separate property in Washington?
Washington State law defines separate property as: “ Property and pecuniary rights owned by a spouse before marriage and that acquired by him or her afterward by gift, bequest, devise, descent, or inheritance. ”.
What happens if you add your spouse's name to a deed?
If you inherit a home and subsequently add your spouse’s name to the deed, its status changes. In a divorce, you must declare all assets, separate or joint.
Is a boat separate property?
For example, if you use your inheritance to buy a boat, that’s typically classified as separate property. Or if you inherit a house and rent it out, the state considers any profits separate property.
Can a judge award separate property in divorce?
A judge may award separate property of one spouse to another in a divorce settlement if it’s necessary to create a fair and balanced settlement. It was once necessary to prove exceptional circumstances, though that’s no longer the case. And though it’s not common, it is a possibility.
Do you have to distribute inheritance in divorce?
This means that in most cases, inheritance remains with the inheritor. When it comes to divorce, they aren’t subject to distribution since the courts generally view them as separate, not community property. Odds are that, if you get an inheritance, you’ll maintain possession of it. The same usually goes any assets you acquire using the inheritance.
What happens if one spouse inherits money but uses the funds to build a stock portfolio?
If one spouse inherits money but uses the funds to build a stock portfolio and then spends their own time actively managing that portfolio, they have inadvertently converted this money from separate property into a hybrid property.
What factors affect how a couple's property is divided?
Another essential factor that will impact how a couple’s property is divided is whether the property belongs to the marriage or spouse. A couple of definitions to keep in mind:
What can an experienced divorce attorney do?
An experienced divorce attorney can help you get the legal help you need, the answers you want, and the best options to fight for the property and assets you deserve. Your divorce doesn’t have to be difficult and long just because inheritance is involved. If you live in Virginia and are considering or going through a divorce, ...
What is the equitable division method in Virginia?
This means that if a couple cannot agree on a fair division of property, the court will decide what is fair based on a hearing or trial that will look at the entire picture of the couple’s finances.
Can inheritance be involved in divorce?
An experienced divorce attorney can help you get the legal help you need, the answers you want, and the best options to fight for the property and assets you deserve. Your divorce doesn’t have to be difficult and long just because inheritance is involved.
Can you share inheritance in divorce?
Each inheritance’s value can thus be appealing to both parties in a divorce, as one person might see the monetary value as something they should get to share.
Can the court increase the share of a spouse's marital property?
Additionally, the court can increase the other spouse’s share if one spouse does something to depreciate the marital property.
How to convert inheritance to marital property?
The most common example of converting an inheritance to marital property is when the inheriting spouse "commingles" (mixes) the inheritance with marital assets. This can be intentional, but often it happens by mistake. For example, Uncle Zeke passes on and leaves you $10,000 in his will. After you and your spouse break out the bubbly and toast the kindly gentleman, you put the money in an existing savings account that's in both your names, and which either of you can access at will. If you did that because you wanted to share the inheritance money with your spouse . . . great! Mission accomplished.
What happens if a divorce rolls around?
In that scenario, if a divorce rolls around, the inheriting spouse would be hard pressed to convince a judge that the house was never intended to be marital property.
Which state divides property on a 50-50 basis?
This is true whether you live in a "community property" state (like California ), which divides property on a 50-50 basis, or an "equitable distribution" state (like New Jersey ), which apportions property based on what the court believes is fair under the circumstances.
Can a spouse live in a house during a marriage?
But let's say the inheriting spouse never puts the other spouse's name on the deed, and neither spouse lives in the house during the marriage. At some point down the road, however, the non-owner spouse contributes to improvements which increase the house's value.
Is a house considered marital property in divorce?
At the time of divorce, a judge might determine that—although the house itself may not be marital property— the increase in value specifically due to the improvements is a part of the marital estate, and thus subject to division between the spouses.
Can an inheritance be divided in divorce?
In the overwhelming majority states, an inheritance is considered separate property, belonging exclusively to the spouse who received it and it cannot be divided in a divorce. That holds true whether a spouse received the inheritance before or during the marriage.
Is property separate in divorce?
Not necessarily. For purpose of divorce, the law usually categorizes property as either "marital" or "separate.". As a general rule, marital property is subject to division between the spouses; separate property isn't. This is true whether you live in a "community property" state (like California ), which divides property on a 50-50 basis, ...
What is inherited wealth?
In one important case White v White, in 2000, the judge explained that inherited wealth “represents a contribution made by one party which is unmatched by an equivalent contribution made by the other.”. And there is certainly merit in the argument that it should therefore not be available to the other spouse on divorce.
How Can I Protect My Inheritance?
If the only way to do this is to split an inheritance then the courts are likely to do so. If needs can be met without recourse to the inheritance then it is less likely to be included in the financial pot available for distribution.
What does a family court judge look for in a financial settlement?
Family court judges must look at the factors set out in s25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act when arriving at any decision on a financial settlement. These include: Significantly there is no explicit reference to inheritance in s25. And judges have a wide discretion when deciding matters in financial cases.
What happens to an inherited asset in a long marriage?
In a long marriage it is often the case that an inherited asset will become mixed up with other assets and diminish in significance and even become more difficult to identify or value. For example, an inheritance could be used as a deposit on a home purchased many years ago.
Can you split an inheritance in divorce?
The courts will look at the facts of each case to determine whether or not to split an inheritance as part of a divorce settlement. Depending on the circumstances of the case the inherited sum may or may not be used to assist in reaching a fair outcome.
Is division of assets a thorny issue in divorce?
The division of assets is often a thorny issue in divorce. What forms part of the matrimonial ‘pot’ available for division? And what assets should be ring-fenced from inclusion in the financial settlement?
Can you protect your inheritance with a pre-nuptial agreement?
While not a guaranteed way to protect your inheritance , you can help secure it with a properly drafted pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement.
Past Inheritances and Divorce
- There are some important facts related to past inheritances and divorce proceedings that will affect the outcome of any settlement. These key questions include the size of the inheritance, the date it was received, how it has been used, the financial situation of each party, and if there are any children involved. Inheritance that is transferred to...
Future Inheritance and Divorce
- Future inheritances are usually more straightforward to deal with in divorce procedures than past inheritance. Oftentimes, a future inheritance is not considered when assessing the financials of a divorce. In cases where the bequest is likely to pass away in the short-term future and the inheritance is considerable, this may be viewed differently. It’s not uncommon for courts to post…
Inheritance and Divorce in Virginia
- In Virginia, inherited property is categorized as distinct, even if it’s received during the marriage. The court can only divide marital property and is not able to interfere with your inheritance. This means you will be able to keep your full inheritance. As long as your inherited property remains separate from other assets, analyzing your inheritance is rarely met with complications. Where p…