Maine Divorce Lawyers 

If you are considering divorce, it is important to consult with an experienced Maine divorce attorney as soon as possible. While many people are reluctant to get legal help, the fact is that if you are thinking about divorce, your spouse probably is too, and they may already be talking to an attorney. Speaking with a lawyer does not have to put any balls in motion, but it can serve to give you a comprehensive understanding of the divorce process and how to prepare for it and protect yourself and your interests should you choose to move forward. 

There are many things involved in getting a divorce, and you likely have not considered most of them. For instance, you may have thought about who would get the house or how your joint checking and savings account assets would be divided, but odds are you have not considered things like stock options, retirement benefits, or your pension. Additionally, the longer you wait, the more opportunity it is giving your spouse to move assets around, such as by creating secret accounts, withdrawing cash from joint accounts, or selling jointly-owned assets. This is a good time to be proactive and start taking actions to protect your interests and start moving toward the life you want. 

Marital Property

One of the most critical determinations when it comes to asset and debt distribution in a divorce, is whether the property is separate or marital property. Marital property is generally considered any property acquired during the course of the marriage. This can be true even if one spouse has a business that was started prior to the beginning of the marriage. There are also some exceptions, such as inheritances, gifts to one spouse made by individuals outside of the marriage, and marital waste. Marital waste occurs when one of the spouses wastes the couple’s joint assets without the knowledge of the other spouse. This can take the form of spending joint assets on gambling, opening credit cards or taking out loans without the knowledge of the other spouse but in their name, and using marital assets to buy gifts or property for a mistress or paramour outside of the marriage and without their spouse’s knowledge. In these cases, the burden of the wasted assets will not be felt by the non-responsible spouse. Our experienced divorce attorneys will make sure that your separate property is kept separate, your interests are protected, and that you get the best possible divorce settlement. 

Contact the Divorce Attorneys at STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers in Maine

If you are considering going through a divorce in Maine, the time to seek experienced legal counsel is now, and the divorce attorneys at STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers are ready to fight for you. We will make sure that your interests are protected, and that you get the best divorce settlement possible, so that you can move on with your life quickly and efficiently. Contact STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers today to schedule a consultation.