Property if I don't contribute financially

[bep]

Married for 2 1/2 years, I only worked about 6 months of that time, otherwise have been taking care of our 16 month old.

We don't have much property, main things were a plasma tv and van that we paid cash for both when we got last year's income tax. He has two cars that he's making payments on but they're in his name (one bought prior to marriage, the other after).

He took the tv and now says I can only have the van if I pay him half of what we originally paid. He said since I didn't work, I don't deserve it because our income tax return was based on his salary. I say we got back what we did because of being married with a child.

I said if I have to pay for the van, he should pay me half of the tv. He said no way.

Do I start paying him now or is possible that I may be allowed to have it?

[Attorney Allison Belcher]

The courts are going to look at the items purchased during the marraige as property with a value attached to them. Each of you are entitled to half of the marital property. The car will most likely be valued at the kelly blue book value and the plasma tv will be valued at approximately what you could buy it for on ebay or at a garage sale. Anything purchased prior to the marriage is pre marital and the courts will grant the person 100% of the their pre marital items.

Attorney Allison Belcher
The Divorce Center
7623 Little Road Suite 200B
New Port Richey, FL
727-844-7676