Spouses in Kansas who decide to divorce will have to go through various steps to complete the process. One of these steps is property division. During a divorce, the process of dividing marital property usually begins with taking an inventory of all property and assets that have been acquired during the marriage. The following advice may be helpful for those who are about to begin the property division process.
Be transparent and honest
When it comes to dividing marital property and assets, always be open and honest. Never attempt to hide assets. Even money that is tucked away in a personal account may be considered marital property. Hiding assets is actually illegal and comes with consequences. Those who hide assets may be forced to give the hidden assets up to the other party and may also be ordered to pay legal expenses the other party incurred while searching for hidden assets.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
It may be tempting to fight for small items that have emotional meaning, such as art or decor. However, if spouses are unable to come to an agreement, the court will not care about emotional attachment to items. A judge will view items that have been acquired during the marriage as property, nothing more or less. If an item has a significant emotional meaning to one spouse, it may be beneficial for the couple to work this out amongst themselves.
Disputes are not uncommon in the property division process. Any person in Kansas who is going through a divorce and wants to ensure that he or she is protected could benefit by contacting a legal representative. An attorney who has experience in this unique area of law can safeguard personal rights and help an individual obtain what is legally his or hers.