A trend has formed in the past few years where women have become the main breadwinners in the family. With the success of women in the business world comes the same responsibilities and obligations as Men have faced years before, including during a divorce.
When deciding the equitable distribution of marital property in Maryland, the court may consider the following factors:
• Each spouse’s financial and non-financial contribution to the well-being of the family
• The value of the property interests of each spouse
• The economic circumstances of each spouse
• The duration of the marriage
• The age, health, mental, and physical condition of each spouse
• How and when specific assets were acquired
• The amount of effort each spouse expended in acquiring the asset
• Whether the spouse has been awarded alimony or possession of the family home
• Whether either spouse committed marital misconduct that contributed to the divorce or legal separation
• Any other factors the court deems necessary or appropriate
When a court determines equitable distribution, it does not look to see if a man or woman is the main income source in the family. Instead, the court looks at many factors including, but not limited to, the income of both husband and wife, the assets of each spouse, and their respective earning capacity. If the wife has higher earnings and more retirement and the husband has lesser income or is a “stay at home” husband or father, then-wife may be subject to paying the husband spousal support and alimony, a percentage of her retirement, or other investments. Further, depending upon the disparity in income, the percentage assigned to the equitable distribution may not be a 50/50 split but could be a split of 55/45, 60/40, etc.
Understanding how to protect your assets during a divorce can be difficult and time-consuming. At the Law Office of Robin J Gray, we are here to assist you with not only protecting your assets during the equitable distribution of the marital property process but also by helping you to find any assets that your spouse may be hiding. Call us to schedule a consultation at (484) 769-5855 or by email at
