Determining Equity

Equity is the true value of the asset of the property to the parties. It is determined by subtracting the encumbrances against the property from the Real Estate Value. Encumbrances may include any loans secured against the property including mortgages, second mortgages, home equity loans or secured lines of credit. Under Washington case law, costs associated with a sale of the real estate are not deducted unless the home will actually be sold as part of the divorce. 

Determining Marital vs. Non-Marital Equity

The second step is to determine what portion of the equity is marital and what is non-marital. Certain assets may be excluded from the marital estate which means that they are not divided between the parties. These are called non-marital assets. Any non-marital assets that you possess remain yours and any non-marital assets of your spouse remain the assets of your spouse. Generally the non-marital equity falls into the following categories:

• Premarital. Any asset acquired before the marriage (if the asset was encumbered by a loan that was paid off during the marriage, it may only have a partial non-marital value);

• Prenuptial Exclusions. An asset excluded by a valid prenuptial agreement;

• Personal Injury Proceeds. Personal injury settlements are generally considered personal to the injured party and are non-marital in nature;Inheritance. Any proceeds or assets from an inheritance;

• Gifts. Any asset acquired as a gift to one, but not both parties.

It is important to recognize that all assets are considered part of the marital estate unless proven otherwise by a "preponderance of the evidence." This places a significant burden on any person making a non-marital claim. It is essential that any and all documents including documents of title, receipts, or canceled checks that support your non-marital claims must be provided. Any failure to provide documentation may result in the division of the asset in the divorce.

The Schmitz formula is used in determining the marital versus non-marital interests in real estate. The formula provides a simplistic model to help determine non-marital interests in real estate. Since real estate mortgages and other encumbrances against property are paid off over a significant period of time, marital interests may be created in real estate that was owned by one party before the marriage. As encumbrances are paid off during the marriage, a marital interest is created. The formula states that the proper calculation of a non-marital interest may be derived by determining the ratio of equity to market value at the time of the marriage and then using that same fraction to determine non-marital interest at the time of divorce. For example, lets assume a spouse owns a home prior to marriage and that home has a value of $100,000 at the time of the marriage and that is encumbered by a mortgage of $75,000. The $25,000 equity (the difference between the value and the encumbrance) becomes the numerator in the Schmitz formula and the value of $100,000 becomes the denominator. As a result, the non-marital interest is 25% of the home's value. If the home appreciates to $200,000, the spouse with the non-marital interest may claim the first $50,000 as the non-marital interest and any remaining equity would be divided as marital.

The limitations of this formula are obvious. First of all, it may be very difficult to determine with any degree of accuracy the value of real estate at the time of marriage unless an appraisal is done at that time. That value alone may become a contested issue that results in litigation and testimony of experts. Second, In many instances, mortgages are refinanced after marriage, second mortgages and home equity loans may also be incurred. These new debts may erase or partially erase a non-marital interest. Third, the formula does not consider the effect that capital improvements made during the marriage have on the real estate value. Capital improvements that are made during the marriage and which increase the value of the real estate may erode some of the non-marital interest represented by the Schmitz formula. Often, presenting a persuasive property case depends on clear cut documentation, and expert testimony. It is important to consult with a lawyer regarding significant non-marital issues.

Dividing the Asset

​

• Once Marital versus non-marital interests are determined, the parties may discuss a division of the asset.

• Occupancy/Ownership by one. If the real estate is awarded to one of the parties, the other party must be compensated for their share of the marital equity. This compensation may take one of several forms.

• Award of Other Assets. to think of the property division as a spread sheet with three columns. In the first column, list the asset. In the second column list the value of the asset awarded to the husband and in the third column the value of any assets awarded to the wife. If on party is awarded the real estate, their column will reflect the marital equity awarded to them. This may be offset by other assets awarded to the other party.

• Refinance Mortgage. When one party is awarded real estate, the other party may remain obligated on any mortgage, second mortgage or home equity ;loan if they were a signor on the loan. As a result, in most instances the real estate mortgage must be refinanced to remove the other party's name. As part of that refinancing, the party that is awarded the real estate may seek additional funds to pay off the other parties' equitable interest.

• Pay Off Over Time. A party's interest may also be paid out over time with or without interest abs negotiated between the parties. This is usually only used when there are no other assets that can be used to equalize the property division. The pay off amount and period may depend on the respective incomes of the parties.

• Sale and Division of Proceeds. When no other assets are available to equalize the division of property and the parties are either unable to afford the real estate or unable to refinance the real estate, the property may be sold and the proceeds divided.

• Immediate Sale. Real Estate may be placed immediately on the market for sale with the parties dividing the net proceeds realized from the sale. "Net proceeds" are generally defined as the amount remaining after the following costs have been subtracted from the sale price or appraised value of the homestead: 
  Expenses of sale, which shall mean all the usual and customary expenses of sale such as attorneys' fees, points, broker's commissions, assessments, expenses of updating the abstract, and other normal costs of closing; Any secured debt including any Mortgage, second mortgage, home equity loan or secured line of credit; A credit payable to either party for the amount of principal reduction made by him/her on the mortgage up to the date of the sale.

  Sale in Future. The parties may agree to sell the real estate at some point in the future. This may be agreed upon to allow the party occupying the real estate to attempt to repair credit and ultimately refinance the mortgage. It may also be agreed upon to allow any minor children to remain in the homestead until some event in the future. Without an agreement of the parties or some showing of hardship, a Court is unlikely to require the party that is not occupying the homestead to wait to receive his/her equity until the children are no longer minors. If one party occupies the homestead, that party is generally responsible for any secured encumbrances against the homestead. Additionally, the party that is not occupying the homestead will want to include language in the agreement of the parties and the final order which protects his/her credit rating in the event that the occupying party fails to pay the debts secured against the real estate. 

  ​