Oregon Property Division
Unless you have a prenuptial agreement, Oregon law presumes that each party contributed equally to property acquired during the marriage and therefore will be divided equally. However, there are several exceptions to the rules of property division which can make the process of property division very complex depending on your specific situation. Generally, marital property is income earned, or assets and debts acquired during a marriage or registered domestic partnership. Separate property is income earned or assets and debts acquired before marriage. Inheritance and gifts are considered separate property, regardless of timing. There are exceptions to these rules and determining exactly which assets and debts to include in the process is not always easy and may be contested. At Jarvis, Bridge, Halttunen, & Weyer we are experienced with dividing and valuing almost every type of asset. If needed, our trial experience allows us to litigate any issues on your behalf if they cannot be resolved ahead of trial.
Assets
We can assist with valuing and dividing all types of marital property, including:
- Personal property (such as vehicles, art, and jewelry)
- Real estate (residences, vacation properties, and fractional interests)
- Insurance
- Stocks, bonds, stock options, and all types of private investments
- Interests in professional practices
- Retirement accounts, pensions, and IRAs
Debts
Debts that was accrued during the marriage or domestic partnership are also considered as part of the division of property so one party will not get stuck with all the debt while the other gets all the assets. It is important to consult an attorney about your rights during a dissolution proceeding so you do not walk away from property you have a right to and to protect you from being assigned debt for which you are not responsible.