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Belli, Weil & Grozbean
111 Rockville Pike, Ste 980
Rockville, Maryland 20850
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Equitable Distribution Vs. Community Property

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - BE SMART AND UNDERSTAND THE LAW

What is, in plain English, the difference between a "community property state" and an "equitable distribution state". In a community property state the marital property is generally split 50/50. However, Maryland follows equitable distribution rules which means the Court does not have to divide everything equally. Here is what the Court looks at:

First they identify and determine what is marital property
Next they determine the value of marital property
Finally, they decide whether or not to grant a monetary award and/or divide the marital pension assets as an adjustment of the equities and rights of the parties.
Earning power of the spouses compared to the other Spouse.
Separate property of the spouses.
One spouse having done all the work to acquire the property or inherited the property
The value that one spouse contributed as the home-maker for the family
Economic fault of one spouse in wasting and dissipating marital property
Duration of the marriage
Age and relative health of the spouses
The responsibility for providing for children of the marriage
Spousal abuse or marital infidelity (to penalize the offending spouse).

For a very useful article on how a small business is valued during divorce

However, as a general rule the Court will divide fairly equally marital property in the typical marriage setting.

By: By Belli, Weil & Grozbean, P.C.

Our family law section is headed by STUART H. GROZBEAN. Mr. Grozbean was named to "Who's Who" in 1998, 1999, 2000. He is now a life member of "Who's Who", a prestigious national recognition of outstanding professionals in the United States. He is also the developer of the child support guidelines program in Maryland. His program is widely used by Judges, Masters and Lawyers in Maryland.

Mr. Grozbean has been quoted in the Washington Post, USA Today and on various television and news channels.

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The preferred program of most major courts, Judges and Masters in Maryland.

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Note: Telephone Conversation / consultation does not create an attorney client privilege and is only meant to provide general information. If you intend to create an attorney client relationship and privileges you must set an office appointment. Free consultation does not apply to employment matters.

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We provide legal services in Maryland (MD) mediation for families in the Maryland counties of Montgomery county, Frederick, prince George's, Howard, Anne Arundel, Rockville, silver spring, Baltimore county, Darnestown, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Kensington, Washington county, Rockville Washington, Potomac, Darnestown, Olney, sandy springs, Derwood, king farm, Kentland, greenbelt USA litigator STUART H. GROZBEAN. HENRY E. WEIL Maryland Divorce Attorney now available.