Divorce 101: M Is for Marital Assets (and March)
March is a month of movement. We clean, we sort, we open windows, and we take stock of what we’re ready to carry forward. That’s why, in this month’s Divorce 101 A to Z, M is for Marital Assets.
Marital assets are everything accumulated during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the account or the title. The house. The savings account. Retirement funds. Credit card points. Furniture. Businesses. Stock options. Even airline miles. If it was acquired while you were married, there’s a strong chance it’s considered marital property.
This is where many people get tripped up. There’s a common belief that if something is “yours” because you earned it or managed it, it automatically stays yours in a divorce. In reality, marriage is viewed as an economic partnership. Courts don’t just look at who brought in the paycheck—they look at the full system that made the household function. Paid work, unpaid labor, caregiving, career sacrifices, and shared decision-making all count.
Understanding marital assets matters because you can’t divide what you don’t see. When assets are misunderstood or overlooked, people often walk away from value they didn’t realize existed—sometimes with long-term financial consequences. Clarity at this stage isn’t about being combative; it’s about being informed.
March invites us to inventory. To list what exists before deciding what stays, what’s shared, and what’s released. That process can be emotional. These assets often represent years of shared life, future plans, and sacrifices that didn’t turn out the way you hoped.
If you’re navigating divorce this spring, consider this your permission to look closely. Gather statements. Ask questions. Learn the language. Understanding marital assets isn’t about holding on—it’s about making intentional choices as you step into what comes next.
Listen to Divorce 101 now
