What Are The Options To Consider When Disposing Of The Marital Residence In A Divorce Proceeding?
In the usual divorce or dissolution proceeding, the disposition of the marital residence is often one of the most important decisions in the case and one of the most emotional issues with the exception of “custody” of the minor child or children. One or both parties may have very strong emotional ties to the home and may overlook important financial considerations in their quest to “keep” the family home.
I now provide to you my list of available options in disposing of the marital residence during divorce:
- Sell the residential property for the “best obtainable price” and divide the net sale proceeds.
- Sell the residential property for the “best obtainable price” and use the net sale proceeds to pay off marital debt or to pay down marital debt.
- Determine the equity in the marital residence, if any, with one party “buying the other party out” of his or her interest in the marital residence.
- Determine if the home is “upside down” meaning that the mortgage indebtedness is greater than the