If you are involved in either a contested divorce or uncontested divorce in Maryland, property distribution understanding what is (or is not ) marital property can be extremely complicated. "Equitable distribution" in Maryland does NOT mean equal. Maryland is NOT a "community property" state. Maryland law requires a three-step process in distributing marital property.

First, the court has to decide what is (or isn't) marital.

Second, the court has to value to property it decides is marital.

Third, the court has to decide whether or not to grant a monetary award to one or the other of the parties, based on what it decides is marital property and how much it decides the marital property is worth. This last step is based on several factors, all of which are addressed in our Divorce Blog. Please visit our Divorce Blog to learn more.

The economic crisis has complicated this analysis more than most lawyers will admit. What if your home... the one in which your kids grew up, is "under-water" and your spouse won't pay (or help to pay) the mortgage? What if your spouse has moved all of your securities into some account you don't know about in Bermuda or Switzerland? What if your spouse got fired, took his or her retirement account, and moved it into an IRA or 401(k) and you have no idea where it is, or if you still have a right to some or all of it?

If you aren't sure if you have marital property, or what it might be worth, or how to protect it visit our Divorce Blog and include CONTACT US TODAY!