Real estate and divorce are inseparable for litigation purposes. Due to several factors, a spouse with primary custody gets to keep the family residence.
By Noah Rosenfarb (New York)
Even with the “bubble talk” that pervades our current real estate market, in most cases, the marital residence has been and will continue to be the largest family asset. When determining the equitable distribution of assets, the home plays a very unique role for three distinct reasons.
Unlike cash and investments, the home often has “emotional value” which cannot be quantified by an appraiser. Frequently the children’s “connection to the neighborhood,” “school and local friends,” or “the additional stress of moving” are factors that result in the spouse with primary custody retaining the family’s residence. This “emotional value” influences the distribution of a home like no other asset in the marital estate.
Another unique aspect of homeownership is the related tax incentives. The Federal government promotes homeownership by allowing tax deductions for mortgage interest and real estate taxes. For a taxpayer in the 25% income tax bracket, homeownership costs of $2,000 a month are equivalent to rental payments of $1,500 per month. So, it is easy to see that the “true” cost of ownership is often more attractive than renting.
Last, most homeowners have mortgages — a very different type of debt than credit card balances. Consider a home worth $500,000 with a $400,000 mortgage — or $100,000 in equity. Assuming real estate prices rise 20% in the next five years, the value of the home will be $600,000. If the mortgage balance stayed the same ($400,000), the home equity would now be $200,000 – a 100% increase in value! In other words, because of our general comfort with borrowing money when buying a home, our investment returns on mortgaged real estate are amplified.
For these reasons, selling the marital home is many times considered only as a last resort. As part of divorce settlement discussions, a financial planner should evaluate the parties’ assets to help strategize how the marital residence can be maintained. Additionally, a divorce-lending specialist should be utilized to evaluate mortgage rates and terms. Often, refinancing can create cash with which to solve equitable distribution challenges, such as paying down credit card debt, paying professional fees, or buying out the other spouse’s interest in the home.
Even in a declining real estate market, homeownership has emotional and economic benefits that should not be overlooked. Utilizing the expertise of financial professionals often helps families determine how important assets such as a home can be retained.
Reprint with permission.
Noah B. Rosenfarb, CPA is Managing Director at Freedom Divorce Advisors where he provides sophisticated tax and financial advice to affluent divorced women. Mr. Rosenfarb integrates life planning with financial planning to ensure clients experience the maximum benefits of affluence post-divorce. His holistic approach increases the probability of leading a life that is filled with prosperity – the kind that is measured more by personal happiness than merely by currency.
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