Divorce

Greater St. Louis Divorce Lawyers: Property and Maintenance

Even the most reasonable divorcing couples can encounter problems with dividing the marital estate or determining one spouse's right to alimony. Where the spouses are hostile or suspicious, however, disputes over spousal maintenance payments or the division of marital property can generate prolonged controversy and litigation in a divorce case.

If you need dependable advice about your options concerning any actual or potential problems in your Missouri divorce, contact a family law attorney at the Roberts Law Firm in St. Louis. Our practical and flexible approach to the resolution of your divorce issues can help you avoid the need for costly courtroom action to achieve your objectives. We can also provide insight into the effect on divorce proceedings of related issues like domestic violence accusations.

Dividing Marital Property, Debts, and Tax Obligations in Missouri

Judges of family court are generally required to resolve property division disputes according to principles of equitable distribution. In other words, the objective is a fair division based on each spouse's actual circumstances and certain statutory factors, not necessarily a strictly equal division of assets. As a result, disputes about asset values, the source of funds, the enforceability of prenuptial agreement terms, pensions, and even the tax consequences of certain property transfers or child support decisions can all complicate the property division question. In some cases, it's even questionable whether a particular asset is even part of the marital estate and subject to division.

At the Roberts Law Firm, our lawyers can help you understand your marital property rights and help you reach sound decisions based on the strength of your legal position. We can also protect your interests in cases where you have reason to believe that your spouse has not been honest in disclosing or valuing assets or income.

Determining the Right to Spousal Maintenance

Not nearly as common as it was in prior generations, alimony or spousal maintenance is the obligation of one spouse to make payments to the other in situations where the receiving spouse will need financial help during a transition to full-time employment, or where the receiving spouse has no realistic prospects for financial independence. Maintenance (alimony) awards are generally based on need and the ability to pay, but the details are subject to many variables, including the length of the marriage and each party's conduct while married.

We can advise either husbands or wives about the legal, practical and strategic dimensions of alimony in Missouri divorce proceedings. Because alimony issues are usually negotiated together with property division questions, we can show you how the tax implications of both can help you make concessions on one while improving your position on the other.

Our attorneys advise divorce clients on issues ranging from child support and visitation to complex property valuation questions, and take their cases to court whenever it best serves their interests. For additional information, contact the Roberts Law Firm in St. Louis.