How is a divorce settlement divided?

In Rhode Island, the courts strive to settle divorces with a fair division of marital assets and liabilities between the spouses. The court will look at the contributions of each spouse to the marriage to determine how the marital assets, like homes and investments, and liabilities, like debt, should be divided. If the court cannot come to a settlement agreement that is acceptable to both sides, they will then look into various factors to determine how the marital estate should be divided. These factors include the length of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, the income of each party, and the marital misconduct. Typically, Rhode Island courts will award each party one-half of the marital assets. This means that each party will receive their own separate shares of the marital estate. The court can order the division of real estate, personal property, and investments, as well as assigning each party their share of marital debts. In some cases, an unequal division may be awarded. This means that one party may receive a larger share of the marital assets and liabilities. This could happen if one spouse was found to be at fault for the breakdown of the marriage, or if the other spouse was found to have contributed more to the marriage. Once the marital estate has been divided, the court will proceed to determine any alimony or support awards. Alimony is typically determined by the duration of the marriage as well as the financial need of the dependent spouse. The court will look at the contributions of each spouse to the marriage before making a decision.

Related FAQs

What is a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO)?
What is a divorce decree?
What are the steps in the divorce process?
How do I change my name after a divorce?
How much is the average cost of a divorce?
How is a divorce settlement divided?
When can I get a divorce?
Where do I file for divorce?
How does a court decide who gets custody of the children in a divorce?
What are the tax implications of a divorce?

Related Blog Posts

How Divorce Law Impacts Your Finances: Key Facts & Tips - July 31, 2023
What You Need to Know About Divorce and Child Custody - August 7, 2023
Navigating Divorce Mediation: What to Expect - August 14, 2023
Understanding the Difference Between Divorce and Legal Separation - August 21, 2023
The Impact of Divorce on Alimony & Property Division - August 28, 2023