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How Does Maryland Divide Marital Property During a Divorce?

Division

When a married couple goes through the formal divorce process in Maryland, the court decides on a fair and balanced “equitable distribution” arrangement for property division. This is different from the “community property” approach in certain U.S. states — where the court simply divides all of the married couple’s assets in half.

In Maryland, the court has a duty to divide the assets in a fair and equitable manner. In this type of system, the split is not necessarily 50-50. Instead, the individual circumstances of each divorce play a significant role in determining the proper division of marital property.

What is the Definition of Marital Property in Maryland?

The definition of marital property appears in Maryland Family Law Code 8-201. Essentially, marital property refers to all assets either spouse acquired during the course of their marriage. Marital property can also refer to certain future interests, if the spouses entered into the obligation together.

During the divorce process, the court must divide all marital property in a fair and equitable manner between the spouses. That being said, not all property is considered marital property under Maryland law.

Marital property under Section 8-201 does not include assets that were:

  • Procured by either spouse before the marriage;
  • Conveyed to either spouse via third-party gift or inheritance; or
  • Exempted from marital property in a contract between the spouses.

Sometimes referred to as non-marital property, the assets above are the property of one spouse. The other spouse is not allowed to take non-marital assets in the divorce process. But the courts may consider non-marital property when considering whether to grant an award of alimony.

How Do the Maryland Courts Determine Equitable Property Division?

The evaluation factors for marital property division appear in Maryland Family Law Code 8-205. In finalizing a divorce, the Maryland court must determine a fair and equitable division of the marital property between the spouses.

In order to make this determination, the Maryland courts rely on a series of factors, including but not limited to:

  • Economic and noneconomic contributions each spouse made for their family;
  • Total value of all property and assets of each spouse;
  • Earning power and employment potential of each spouse;
  • Reasons for which the spouses are seeking a divorce;
  • Length of time the spouses were married;
  • Age and capacity of each spouse;
  • Medical condition of each spouse;
  • Award of alimony, child support or similar benefit to either spouse; and
  • Other factors the court deems important in balancing the interests of each spouse.

Do You Need Legal Help?

If you are going through a divorce and need legal advice concerning property division, it may be helpful to consult with an experienced family law attorney. Based in Bel Air, Maryland, the attorneys at Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered have more than 55 years of combined legal experience in family and criminal law. Our attorneys can help you finalize the divorce process and achieve an equitable division of marital property. If you need legal help, contact us today for an initial consultation.

Resource:

mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmStatutesText.aspx?article=gfl&section=8-201&ext=html&session=2017RS&tab=subject5

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