Legal Question in Family Law in Maine

inheritence

my grand father died and left me the farm. i sold the farm and bought a house in maine.my wife is divorcing me and i would like to know if she is intitled to half the house.


Asked on 8/14/08, 7:24 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jerome Gamache Ainsworth Thelin & Raftice, P.A.

Re: inheritence

Inheritance is considered to be non-marital under Maine law, but the catch is what is done with the inheritance after it is received that may change it to marital. In other words, if you recieved a sum of money and kept that money in an account with just your name on in, that money is easily traceable as inheritance.

If, however, you use the money to finance the downpayment on a house, or even buy all of a house, if the property is in joint tenancy, if the taxes, upkeep, etc are later paid for by marital money, if any equity lines of credit were taken out against it and that money used for marital purposes, etc, it becomes a very fact-specific situation and you need to review the facts carefully with an attorney, because it may have become marital.

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Answered on 8/14/08, 7:50 am


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