Common Law Property: Definition and How It's Used in Divorce

The husband had opened his 401(k) five years before the marriage, with a balance of about $45,000 at the time. Today, after 25 years of marriage, that account is worth over $300,000. He felt strongly: “I started that account before we even met. Why should I have to split it now?” Here’s what I explained to my client: The $45,000 he had before the marriage? That’s likely his separate property. But the remaining $255,000, the amount that grew during the marriage through contributions, employer mat

What’s Yours and What’s Ours: Property Division in North Carolina

RAW: Lawyer on B.C. common-law changes