Dividing Household Items In A Divorce
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2How to Divide Household Items in a Divorce
When couples divorce, they
Tips…
have to decide who gets the
Wedding gifts – The law says you each
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furniture and other
own half of the wedding gifts. But many
household items.
couples agree to keep the gifts that were
given by that spouse’s family or friends.
You can use lawyers to help
divide these things. Or you
Photos – Divide them up according to your
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can do it yourselves and
preference. If you both want the same
save a lot of money.
photo, make copies and share the cost.
Children’s things – It’s best to think of the
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children’s furniture, toys, bicycles, camping
Here are two ways to divide your belongings:
equipment, etc., as theirs. The children’s
List, appraise, and pick
things should stay with the parent who has
custody of the children. The law says you
List every item of value
must not charge the other parent for the
You can use
in your household –
value of those items.
page 2 of this
whether it’s community
form to make
About Appraisers – Appraisers usually
property or not. If
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your list.
charge between $250–$600. You can share
possible, do this before
the cost, or just one of you can pay. Or you
you move anything.
can appraise the items yourself by
Make sure things you agree should stay
searching for prices of similar items on the
together (like a bedroom set) are grouped
Internet or in the newspaper. (The value is
on your list as one single item.
what you could buy or sell it for now — not
the cost to replace it.)
Then, hire an appraiser you both agree
on. Before the appraiser arrives, agree to
accept the appraiser’s values.
Stuck?
If you are having problems dividing some of the
Then, toss a coin to see who starts. Take
items, you can:
turns saying which item you want from the
list. Once you or your spouse reaches half
Ask an appraiser to suggest an equal
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of the value of the list, the remaining items
division of the property.
go to the other spouse.
Agree to donate the item to Goodwill or give
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it to one of the children, or
Two-pile system
If you already separated, you can agree to
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You and your spouse can also divide the
each keep what you now have.
property into what you agree are two
“piles” of equal value. Then, flip a coin.
Avoid problems!
Whoever wins, picks the pile they want.
Agree on the method you will use before you
There may be some items that cannot go
begin. If any of your items are worth a lot of
into the pile because you do not agree on
money, check with your lawyer first.
the value. But you can use this system for
all the items you do agree on. Then, find
another way of dealing with the other
items later.
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