The joining of two lives through marriage also involves the joining of the spouses’ finances. Determining how to divide marital property is often one of the key issues in a Wisconsin divorce. Disputes about property division during divorce can escalate and become contentious and complex. If you are considering divorce, it is important to know how property division is handled according to Wisconsin law.
Wisconsin Family Courts Follow “Community Property” Laws
Each state handles property division during divorce slightly differently. Wisconsin is a community property state. Property and funds accumulated during the marriage are owned by the “marital estate” and are subject to division during divorce. Spouses have an equal right to marital property in a community property state. Even if only one spouse’s name is on the title to an asset, both spouses have an equal right to that asset. It is also crucial to remember that the word “property” in this context refers to assets as well as debts.
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