How is Property Valued in a Divorce?

  •   |   Meghan Freed

Connecticut courts need to divide property between spouses to finalize a divorce — but how do they value that property?  To understand how property division works, you must understand how Connecticut values property in divorce.

Read on to learn more.

Property Division Analysis

Generally speaking, there are three stages of analysis regarding property distribution in a Connecticut Divorce.

  1. Definition – whether an item meets the definition of property
  2. Valuation – what is the value of the property
  3. Distribution – how to distribute property between the spouses

Today’s topic is the second category, how to value property in a divorce.

Read: What’s the Definition of Property in a Divorce?

Basics of Property Valuation

Connecticut is an “all property” state, meaning the vast majority of spouses’ property can be divided.  Once the court determines that it can divide an asset, the second step is to value it so that the court can divide it equitably.

Timing of Property Valuation in Divorce

Generally speaking, courts value assets when divorces are final, not when they are filed.  That said, Connecticut law does not require you to value all assets as of the exact date of the judgment.  Sometimes it is too difficult to value an asset on the precise date the court orders the divorce.  In those cases, spouses should value the asset as reasonably close to the divorce date as possible.  This happens, for example, when an appraisal is required to determine an asset’s value.

Determining Property Value

There are a few different valuation methods spouses commonly use in Connecticut divorces.  Often it is straightforward to place a value on an asset, but sometimes it’s pretty complex.  For example, the value of a bank account is its balance on a given day.  For other assets — such as a pension or a home — the courts ask what the “fair market value” is of the property.  The fair market value is the “price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.”

Determining the fair market value depends on the nature of the asset.

The Comprehensive Connecticut Property Division Guide

How to divide property is one of the most critical issues in divorces.  And, it’s one of the most confusing.  Connecticut has no set formulas or rules on how to divide property.  The good news is that it creates tremendous flexibility for experienced divorce attorneys to craft an individualized approach.  To prepare to make solid and informed decisions, you need to understand how property division works.  Our Comprehensive Connecticut Property Division Guide tells you everything you need to know about property division in Connecticut.

Read: Property Division: The Comprehensive Connecticut Guide

Next Steps

To start making a plan for your divorce, reach out.  Our first step at Freed Marcroft, the Goals & Planning Conference, is designed to get to the heart of your problem and unveil your true goals.  We analyze those goals, plus the facts of your case, and present you with recommendations and options to move forward.

Schedule your Goals & Planning Conference today, or contact us here.

Freed Marcroft LLC

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