Riverside Property Division Lawyer

Riverside Property Division Attorney

Property division is one of the most stressful parts of getting a divorce. Some spouses try to hide valuable assets, and even when hidden property isn’t an issue, deciding how to divide things like real estate evenly can be a challenge. That’s why you need a skilled Riverside property division lawyer who can help you throughout the process.

The team here at Edgar & Dow has practiced family law exclusively for over ten years. We’re intimately familiar with property division laws and how they apply to different kinds of cases, and have represented all sorts of clients in divorce proceedings. Whether you own one family home and a few other assets with your spouse or have a diversity of property that must be evenly divided, we can help to ensure that the process is fair and equitable.

Hire a Property Division Lawyer

The average home in Riverside, CA, is worth $637,914 in 2025, and the city is home to some of the wealthiest communities in the country. Alessandro Heights is ranked in the top 15% for the highest income areas in America. The median household income in this prestigious neighborhood is $159,658. In other words, a lot of Riverside residents have much to lose in a divorce if they don’t have proper representation.

You don’t have to be wealthy to have a lot to lose should your spouse decide to hide assets or the property division process go poorly. That’s why you need to hire a property division lawyer as early in the divorce process as possible. A Riverside property division attorney can help you make sure all community property is on the table for division and that the process occurs fairly, protecting your rights and interests throughout.

Community vs. Separate Property in California

California is a community property state, which means all assets and debts acquired during a marriage are generally held in common and must be divided evenly during a divorce. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule. Community property laws may not apply in the presence of:

• A prenuptial agreement
• A postnuptial agreement
• Any other written agreement specifying how assets are to be divided
• Allegations of domestic violence

What’s Considered Property?

In the Golden State, both assets and debts are considered property. Examples of property can include:

• Real estate, including primary homes
• Bank accounts
• Investment portfolios
• Businesses
• Vehicles
• Jewelry and other valuables
• Retirement and pension accounts
• Stock options
• Mortgages, credit cards, loans, and other debts
• Cryptocurrency and digital wallets

In some of these cases, it’s easy to ensure an even division of property. You can evenly divide the contents of a bank account or the remaining debt owed on a mortgage. Dividing up jewelry, vehicles, and real estate is more complicated, which is why you need a skilled property division lawyer on your side.

Hidden Assets and Property Division

Sometimes, high-net-worth spouses try to hide assets from each other so they can’t be divided fairly during divorce proceedings. The process of hiding assets is illegal, and if you’re caught doing this, you’ll be subject to not just fines but also the potential forfeiture of the asset in question.

If you’re concerned that your spouse may be hiding assets, you should speak with your lawyer. There may be a need to hire a forensic accountant to track down hidden money. Your lawyer in Riverside can also use tools such as interrogatories and depositions to acquire information about your spouse’s current financial holdings. Your spouse is legally obligated to respond to these requests for information and testimony.

You can also do some sleuthing on your own by checking social media accounts for evidence of large expenses, shared computers for evidence that your spouse has been using unknown banks or stock apps, and looking for other discrepancies.

FAQs About Riverside, CA Property Division Laws

What Is the Property Division Law in California?

The property division law in California indicates that, because it is a community property state, all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are usually considered to be owned equally by both spouses. They’re also subject to equal division during a divorce. Separate property, such as assets owned before the marriage or received as part of an inheritance, remains with the original owner.

What Is the 5-Year Rule in California Divorce?

The 5-year rule in California divorce refers to a couple’s eligibility to engage in a summary dissolution. This simplified process allows couples who were married for less than five years to follow a quicker and less expensive divorce proceeding that doesn’t require a formal court hearing if they meet certain criteria. The couple cannot have children, and there can be only minimal assets and debts.

How Much Does a Property Division Lawyer Cost in California?

How much a property division lawyer costs in California varies based on factors such as whether this aspect of the divorce is contested, if it must go to trial, and how complicated the process of dividing assets and debts turns out to be. It’s also the case that more experienced divorce lawyers often charge more than those who have fewer years in practice.

How Is Community Property Different From Separate Property?

In California, community property is any asset or debt acquired during a marriage. Separate property is property held by only one spouse in a marriage. Separate property typically includes assets held before the start of the marriage, gifts to one spouse, and personal inheritances. Everything else acquired during the marriage is shared between the two spouses and must be divided evenly upon divorce.

Riverside Property Division Lawyer

If you’re looking for a Riverside property division lawyer to ensure the fair and equitable division of assets and debts during a divorce, look no further than Edgar & Dow. We’ve been handling property division cases for years, and in that time, we’ve helped both high-net-worth clients and plenty of ordinary couples negotiate an appropriate division of their assets and debts. We can help you, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.