Paul Horton: What happens to Property in Divorce?

If you ask a divorce lawyer about property settlements in divorce cases, or if you are involved in a contentious divorce or are in the early stages of separating from your marital partner, you may have a lot of questions, such as how divorce will affect your children or your property. That said, the division of property can be especially complicated and you should try to develop an understanding of how you and your spouse’s property may be split up. In Salt Lake City, and the rest of Utah, understanding the difference between marital property and non-marital property is pivotal.

WHAT HAPPENS TO NON-MARITAL PROPERTY IN DIVORCE?

Typically, you will be able to retain any non-marital property when you divorce your spouse, according to the Utah Courts. Likewise, you will probably not receive any non-marital property that your spouse owns. However, non-marital property may be distributed under certain circumstances. For example, if your non-marital property has been used in a manner where it became marital property, or has been mixed with marital property, then it may be subject to division.

There are various examples of non-marital property that each party can usually keep, such as inheritance, gifts or property that you owned prior to your marriage. On the other hand, courts may decide how to divvy up marital property between you and your spouse. From retirement accounts and vehicles to the family home, the distribution of marital property could have a significant impact on your life.

SOCIAL MEDIA MAY BE ANOTHER FACTOR IN DIVORCE CASES

Just as there are countless reasons that people find themselves attracted to one another on an intimate level, there are just as many reasons why couples in Salt Lake City, Utah, and elsewhere find themselves facing serious relationship issues and divorce. When considering modern relationships, many experts and couples alike are noting how social media plays into the equation of marital bliss, discontent and even divorce mediation.

Given that social media plays such a significant role in many peoples’ everyday routines and lifestyles, it may come as little surprise that websites like Facebook and Twitter effect personal relationships as well. According to one Pew research project, relationship issues like lack of attention and excessive social-media use are noted by many young people. Even so, more than 40 percent of adult participants under the age of 30 did say that they and their significant other bonded over talking online. And a little more than 1/5 of those questioned claimed such digital services can be good problem-resolution tools.

There is increasing evidence that social media outlets play a role in why and how individuals communicate in relationships too. For instance, some psychologists believe that men are more prone to discuss their emotions online because they’re unable or unwilling to do so in person. A recent study investigating one particular social media outlet and its influence on relationships suggests that, indeed, online communication plays a significant role in personal interactions.

Looking at everything from how often participants reviewed and used Twitter directly, the study published in the Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking journal found that serious relationship issues like cheating and divorce are linked to Twitter use. The author of the study argues that relationship duration is not a factor in Twitter-related issues that can arise.

Free Consultation with Divorce Lawyer in Utah

If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will fight for you.