Division of Property

Marital Property Division in California

Many California couples who agree on the decision to end their marriage or relationship, believe that they can work through the division of marital assets without any problem. They seek out a paralegal to help them draw up the paperwork.

We see them in the Law Offices of Shirley D. Jacobs after they discover that their paperwork has been handled incorrectly, after they realize that they forgot to consider the increase in value of real estate or the tax ramifications of a particular decision. By then it’s too late.

It is critical to handle important details of a divorce and marital property settlement correctly the first time. Once your settlement has been approved by the court, it is difficult to change it.  In some cases, it cannot be changed at all..

The Walnut Creek, Freemont, and Pleasanton property division lawyers at the Law Offices of Shirley D. Jacobs have been helping couples achieve fair and equitable property settlements in cases of divorce and legal separation since 1978. We have helped thousands of couples reach satisfactory agreements.

California is a community property state in which marital assets are divided “equally.” That decision can be made by a family law judge in divorce court or it can be made by the couple themselves in mediation or the collaborative law process. We have attorneys on staff who are trained to assist couples in both mediation and collaborative law.

Through mediation or collaborative law, many couples find that they can achieve their goals faster, at less cost, and with a greater sense of satisfaction, empowerment and control. Our Freemont marital asset attorneys connect you with the resources you need to do just that.

We can make referrals to financial experts and certified divorce planners who can help our clients understand the issues surrounding complicated property issues, such as ownership of a family business, executive compensation packages, pensions, 401(k), IRA’s, stocks, complex real estate ventures, or other assets that may have tax ramifications.

We will ensure you are well informed and feel capable of making the best decisions on your own behalf. Contact our office for a free initial consultation if you would like to learn more about mediation or collaborative law for property settlement.

Litigation of Marital Asset Division

Some couples will not be able to work together to reach a decision and will need to work through divorce court. Our Pleasanton , Freemont and Walnut Creek property division lawyers aggressively pursue the best interests of our clients in court. Contact the law office of Shirley D. Jacobs, to ensure an aggressive investigation of marital assets and a just division of property.

The attorneys at the Family Law Offices of Shirley D. Jacobs provide comprehensive family law services to residents of Pleasanton, Fremont, and Walnut Creek, California, and the East Bay area, including Alameda County and Contra Costa County and the nearby cities of Martinez, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Livermore, San Ramon, Union City, Hayward, San Leandro, Alameda, Emeryville, Dublin, Berkeley and Oakland.