marital property law

Marital property law determines how assets and debts are divided between spouses during a divorce or separation. Generally, property acquired during the marriage is considered joint or marital property, meaning both spouses have a legal claim, regardless of whose name is on the title. Property owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance might be classified as separate property. States vary in how they divide marital property—either equitably (fairly) or equally (50/50). These laws aim to equitably distribute assets while considering each spouse’s contributions and circumstances.