Have you wondered how much of your estate is your spouse entitled? What happens to all of your assets when you die? Do you have much control over the disposition of your estate? Does having a will make a difference? To demonstrate the nuances involved in determining how much your surviving…
Articles Posted in Property Division
Why is “Stuff” So Important in Your Divorce? Think About It!
By Carolyn Woodruff, North Carolina Family Law Specialist, CPA, and CVAI am constantly amazed at how people going through a divorce “fight” over “stuff” like a tea cup, a train set, a doll, or a stuffed animal. Generally, when I am using the word “stuff,” I mean personal property like tables and chairs, jewelry, or sentimental items from childhood. The…
Do I Need A Premarital Agreement? – Property Division Upon Divorce
A premarital agreement is a contract, signed by two persons who are about to be married. It sets forth rules that will apply when the marriage ends, either in death or divorce. It can also set forth rules to govern how the parties will deal with their property during the…
529 Plan as Marital Property in Equitable Distribution
Question: I am a mother from Summerfield. I have been saving for my children’s college, but I am now faced with divorce. My ex-spouse is the owner of the 529 Plan. What happens to the 529 Plan in my divorce? Answer: While the intent of the 529 Plan is to…
Estate Planning vs. a North Carolina Divorce
By Carolyn J. Woodruff, North Carolina Family Law Specialist, JD, CPA, CVAIn North Carolina, estate planning can be difficult with the high divorce rate. Most who are estate planning want the property to go where it is intended. The gift tax annual exclusion for 2015 is $14,000 per donor per donee. This means a married couple can, together, give $28,000 to…