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Equitable Distribution

In the course of the divorce process, the marriages assets and debts will be divided and given to each of the parties. This can be done by mutual agreement of the parties. But if there is disagreement then a Divorce Master is used to assist with the reconciliation. This is an attorney who has been appointed by the Court of Common Please to conduct the trial in a contested divorce action. He or she will recommend how the marital estate should be divided between the parties involved. The factors that the Divorce Master will take into consideration in making their recommendations are:

  • The length of the marriage
  • Prior marriages of either party
  • The age, health, station, amount and sources of income, etc. of each party
  • The contribution of one party to the education, training or increased earning ability of the other party
  • The opportunity of each party to earn income and resources in the future
  • The sources of income of both parties, including medical, retirement, insurance or other benefits
  • The contribution or dissipation of each party with regard to acquiring, preserving, depreciating or appreciating the marital property
  • The value of the property set apart to each other
  • The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage
  • The economic circumstances of each party at the time of division of the marital property
  • The Federal, State and local tax ramifications associated with each asset to be divided
  • The expense of sale, transfer or liquidation associated with a particular asset
  • Whether each party will be serving as custodial of any dependent minor children

What Are Marital Assets?

In Pennsylvania, some of the marital assets include the following:

  • Homes
  • Businesses
  • Cars
  • Boats
  • Jewelry
  • Furniture
  • Collectibles
  • Bank Accounts
  • Stock Options
  • Trusts
  • Lie Insurance Policies
  • Patents
  • Copyrights
  • Retirement Plans
  • Profit Sharing Plans

Any of these items that are acquired during the course of the marriage are considered part of the marriage and are "marital assets".

Attorney Stephen Barcavage can help you to identify which of your assets qualify as marital assets.
Call him today at 717-731-8111 or email him for some help.