Property Division

Why Refinancing After Divorce Is Necessary When one spouse keeps the family home after divorce, refinancing is typically necessary even if the leaving spouse signs a quitclaim deed transferring their title interest. Title transfer alone does not remove the leaving spouse from mortgage liability. Refinancing accomplishes several goals: Without refinancing,…

The Old Approach to Pets in Divorce Before 2019, California courts treated pets like any other property in divorce. A pet was a chattel, the legal term for movable property. The court divided pets the same way it divided furniture, vehicles, or other personal property. Under this approach, pets were…

Quick Answer Business valuation in divorce uses one of three main methods. The asset based approach values a business by adding up its assets and subtracting its liabilities. The market based approach compares the business to similar businesses that have recently sold. The income based approach values the business based…

Quick Answer Hiding assets during divorce is illegal and can carry severe penalties. Common methods include transferring money to friends or family, delaying bonuses or commissions, inflating business expenses, opening secret bank accounts, hiding cryptocurrency, and creating fake debts. Red flags include sudden lifestyle changes, secretive behavior with finances, and…