Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce - Emily Doskow [104]
You're in Control ......................................................................................................................... 241
How Judges Divide Property ...............................................................................................242
Community Property States: Equal Division ............................................................ 242
Non-Community Property States: Equitable Division .......................................244
What to Do With the House ................................................................................................ 247
Sell ................................................................................................................................................... 248
Negotiate a Buyout ................................................................................................................250
Continue to Co-Own the House ....................................................................................254
Dividing Your Other Assets .................................................................................................256
Household Items .....................................................................................................................256
Assets With Fluctuating Values ......................................................................................258
Assets You Could Easily Overlook .................................................................................259
Stock Options ........................................................................................................................... 259
Deferred Compensation .....................................................................................................261
Pets ................................................................................................................................................. 261
Genetic Material ...................................................................................................................... 262
What to Do With a Family Business ...............................................................................263
Day-to-Day Operations ....................................................................................................... 263
How Much Is the Business Worth? ................................................................................264
Long-Term Plans ...................................................................................................................... 267
Dividing Debt ................................................................................................................................268
What's Marital and What's Separate ............................................................................268
Handling Joint Debts .............................................................................................................269
Handling Separate Debts .................................................................................................... 271
Tax Consequences of How You Divide Property ....................................................271
Transfers of Deferred Benefits ..........................................................................................272
Your House and Capital Gains Tax ................................................................................273
Retirement Benefits .................................................................................................................. 274
Defined Benefit (Pension) Plans ......................................................................................275
Defined Contribution Plans ..............................................................................................278
Military Benefits ......................................................................................................................281