When you walk down the aisle, you do not expect your marriage to end in divorce. But when a divorce is inevitable, couples who have a significant amount of assets need to seek the guidance of an experienced Cottage Lake high asset divorce lawyer to guide them through the asset division process.  

Our dedicated team at Twyford Law Office can thoroughly review your case and assist with asset division. Our divorce attorneys will advocate for you and your legal rights throughout the divorce process.

What Are Marital Assets?

The law considers assets accumulated throughout a marriage and presumed to belong equally to both parties as marital assets or community property, including:

  • Wages 
  • Bonuses
  • Commissions earned by either spouse
  • Vehicles
  • Furniture
  • Artwork

Homes and land acquired during the marriage qualify as community property. If you or your spouse put money towards a 401(k), pension, or IRA or contributed to the account during the marriage, the law will likely consider it a marital asset and subject to division. The law may also consider a business you or your spouse started or contributed to during the marriage as an asset. If you are in Cottage Lake and wondering, “Where can I find a divorce lawyer near me?” our firm can assist in determining what high-value assets the law considers eligible for division.

What Qualifies as a Non-Marital Asset?

When considering the assistance of a high-asset divorce attorney in Cottage Lake, it is important to understand that Washington is a community property state. Many assets acquired during a marriage are generally considered community property, but several factors can affect how property is classified and divided in a divorce. Property that one spouse owned before the marriage, as well as gifts or inheritances received by one spouse, may be considered separate property. However, separate property can potentially become community property if it is commingled with marital assets or otherwise treated as community property.

A court may also consider separate property when determining how to achieve an equitable division of the spouses’ property. The classification and division of complex or high-value assets can depend on the specific circumstances involved. Our experienced divorce lawyer can answer your questions about how your property may be classified and divided during a divorce.

What Is Discovery?

If you believe your spouse is hiding assets, you can request discovery. Discovery involves formal requests requiring both parties to exchange financial documents, including tax returns, loan applications, and bank statements. Your attorney can also conduct a deposition to question your spouse about your finances under oath. After the parties produce discovery, a forensic accountant can review all of the financial statements to trace the flow of money and identify unusual spending patterns. If you are wondering, “Is there a Cottage Lake lawyer near me handling complex assets and discovery?” our firm can assist you.

Discuss Complex Assets With a Cottage Lake Divorce Lawyer

If you are considering a divorce, you need to contact a knowledgeable Cottage Lake high asset divorce lawyer to guide you throughout the legal process, including requesting discovery and taking depositions.

Our knowledgeable attorney could guide you through the legal process to discover and protect your marital assets. Contact Twyford Law Office today to discuss your case.