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When couples divorce, dividing marital assets is one of the most challenging parts of the process. Who gets the house? What happens to a retirement account? Does an inheritance need to be shared? In New York, the law classifies assets as marital or separate property, and that distinction plays a major role in how property is divided. Let’s explore the difference and how to protect your property rights.
Marital Property: Assets You and Your Spouse Share
Under New York law, marital property includes most assets acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title. That means if you or your spouse earned income, bought the property, or contributed to investments while married, those assets are typically subject to equitable distribution. This legal term means the property is divided fairly, though not necessarily equally.
Examples of Marital Property
- Income Earned During the Marriage – If you or your spouse received a paycheck, bonuses, or commissions while married, that income is generally considered marital property.
- Real Estate Purchased During the Marriage – A home, rental property, or vacation house bought while married is usually shared property, even if only one spouse’s name is on the deed.
- Retirement Accounts and Pensions – The portion of a 401(k), pension, or IRA accumulated during the marriage belongs to both spouses, even if only one person contributed.
- Business Interests Gained During the Marriage – If a business was started or grew during the marriage, even if only one spouse ran it, the other may be entitled to a portion of its value.
- Debts Accrued During the Marriage – Mortgages, credit card balances, and personal loans taken out while married are generally shared obligations unless one spouse can prove the debt was not for the benefit of the marriage.
Separate Property: What Stays Yours
Separate property belongs to one spouse alone and is not subject to division in a divorce. This category covers assets owned before marriage, certain gifts, inheritances, and anything explicitly protected by a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.
Examples of Separate Property
- Property Owned Before Marriage – If you bought a home, car, or investment property before you got married, it remains yours if you did not mingle it with marital assets (for example, adding your spouse’s name to the deed or using joint funds to renovate).
- Inheritances – Money or property inherited by one spouse remains separate property, even if received during the marriage. However, if those funds are deposited into a joint account and used for shared expenses, they could become marital property.
- Gifts from Third Parties – If you receive a personal gift (not from your spouse), such as jewelry, a car, or cash from a relative, it is typically separate property.
- Personal Injury Settlements – Compensation for pain and suffering from a lawsuit is usually considered separate property. However, if the settlement includes lost wages or medical expenses paid with marital funds, that portion may be subject to division.
- Property Defined as Separate in a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement – If you and your spouse signed an agreement stating that certain assets remain separate, the court will usually uphold those terms.
When Separate Property Becomes Marital Property
In New York, separate property can lose its status if it is commingled with marital assets when:
- You deposit an inheritance into a joint bank account and use it for household expenses
- You own a house before marriage but use joint funds to renovate or pay the mortgage
- Your separate business grows significantly during the marriage due to your spouse’s direct or indirect contributions
Protect Your Property Rights in a New York Divorce
Dividing assets in a divorce is rarely simple. How property is categorized can have a lasting impact on your financial future, and disputes often arise when one spouse claims something is separate while the other argues it’s shared.
At Aiello & DiFalco, we will help you determine what belongs to you, protect your financial interests, and ensure that your rights are upheld under New York law. If you have questions about property division or need guidance on your divorce, contact us today.