Property Division The divorce attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP have spent decades representing clients in matters of property division. Our trusted lawyers work to secure the best possible outcome during this challenging time in your life.

New York City Property Division Lawyers

Assisting divorcing couples with asset division in Manhattan

New York is an equitable distribution state. What this means is that, during a divorce, your marital property will be divided in a way that is fair and equitable to both you and your spouse. However, note that equitable does not necessarily mean equally. The court takes many factors and variables into account when determining property and asset division. It is up to a skilled divorce lawyer to explain to a court why a certain division of property is “fair” under the relevant law.

In a divorce, only the marital property of a couple is divided. Generally, the marital property includes any assets and property acquired by the couple during the marriage, including income, retirement benefits, or appreciation of property or businesses obtained during the marriage.

The divorce attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP have spent decades representing the people of New York City and Westchester in matters of property division, alimony (spousal support), child support, and child custody. Our trusted lawyers work to secure the best possible outcome during this challenging time in your life.

Dividing marital assets in NYC

In most cases, any assets you or your spouse acquire during the course of your marriage are subject to division – regardless of whose name the property is in. Additionally, the value of these assets can continue to appreciate or depreciate until the day you divorce. These assets can include:

Art and jewelry
Automobiles and other vehicles
Benefits and pensions
Debts
Family businesses or practices
Family home
IRAs and 401Ks
Real estate
Retirement savings
Savings and checking accounts
Stock portfolios
Intellectual property
Furniture and personal property

Separate property in a divorce

Non-marital assets, or separate property, remain just that in a divorce, and are not subject to division (subject to some exceptions). Unless you or your spouse made a contribution (financial or non-financial) to the value of your separate property during the marriage, you are permitted to keep that separate property under New York law. Separate property (subject to some caveats) is considered:

Inheritances and third party gifts
Pre-marital assets
Personal injury lawsuit settlements
Assets acquired from the sale of separate property

The attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP can answer any questions you have about what is marital property versus what is separate property.

Family business and practices

Marital businesses or professional practices also be equitably divided. However, this can be a complex and difficult task. For example, if one spouse owned the business before the marriage but worked in the business during the marriage, the financial appreciation may be considered marital property.

Marital waste or dissipation of assets

One issue that comes up in NYC divorces is marital waste. Marital waste is when one spouse wastes marital assets without the consent of the other spouse. This can happen throughout the marriage or, more often, as the marriage begins to fall apart. Wasted assets can include money spent on extramarital affairs, money spent on gambling, money spent on drugs, giving away money to family members/ friends before separation. If the court proves one spouse has committed marital waste, they will typically have to make reparations to the other spouse.

Protecting your assets in a NYC divorce

One of the best ways to protect your assets is with a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Setting terms on separate versus marital property early in your marriage can ease conflict and tension later on, saving time and money in the event of a divorce. If you have no such agreement in place, it is crucial you consult with an experienced attorney to ensure you protect your valuable assets and property.

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CHOICES AND OPTIONS TAILORED TO EACH CASE

We are one of the only Manhattan divorce law firms offering all three options for divorce: litigation/negotiation, collaborative law, and mediation - providing custom strategies and solutions for our clients.
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO DIFFICULT & COMPLEX PROBLEMS

All families and marriages are unique - our attorneys take the time to listen to our clients to fully understand the circumstances of their case. Only then do we advise the best legal option for their goals.
PROMPT RESPONSES TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND INQUIRES

Divorce is a time of transition. We understand the emotional and financial stress that clients experience during the divorce process – from day one our team ensures that we provide our clients with prompt feedback so that they are updated on their case every step of the way.
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Our attorneys provide frequent expert legal commentary for national media outlets and have been quoted in numerous publications including Fox's Business, NBC News, ABC News, CBS News and many more.

Manhattan property division lawyers

If you and your spouse are divorcing or considering divorce, ensure you protect your assets during property division. The NYC marital attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP have decades of experience assisting clients with matters of divorce and property division – schedule a consultation with us today. You can reach us at (212) 466-6015 or fill out our contact form.

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