


The best way to keep inheritances separate property is to physically keep any monetary inheritance in a separate bank account away from any joint accounts you may have with your spouse and be sure not to deposit or commingle marital funds into the account containing the inherited funds. This example applies similarly to inherited personal and real property as well. But, the original $100,000 inherited by Spouse A before the marriage remains the separate property of Spouse A. For example, if Spouse A inherits $100,000 from a parent’s will and during the course of the parties’ marriage, that $100,000 inheritance increases in value to $150,000 at the time Spouse A and Spouse B separate, the $50,000 increase during the parties’ marriage is considered marital property subject to equitable distribution, assuming Spouse A did not commingle the inheritance funds into any joint account during the marriage. It is important to note that while the initial inheritance of a spouse is considered separate property, any increase in value in that inheritance during the course of the parties’ marriage is considered marital property subject to division. Similarly, if a spouse inherits something other than money, like a plot of real estate or a house, and the inheriting spouse adds the non-inheriting spouse to the title as a joint owner, then the property would be considered a marital asset and subject to equitable distribution. In this instance, the inherited money may be considered commingled, therefore becoming marital property, which is subject to be divided in equitable distribution. For example, one main exception is if the inheriting spouse takes a monetary inheritance and deposits that money into a joint bank account titled with their spouse. Of course, there are certain exceptions to this rule based on the factual circumstances of each case. The general rule in Pennsylvania is that inheritances are the separate property of the spouse that received them and are not subject to equitable distribution in divorce.
Do i have to share my inheritance with my husband free#
To learn more about this topic, feel free to reach out to our firm to schedule an initial consultation with a member of our legal team.One of the most common questions I am asked by a spouse in the midst of a divorce is whether spouses are entitled to receive any portion of money or property that the other spouse inherits individually. We hope this article cleared up any confusion you might have had about how inheritances are divided in New York divorces. To prevent further confusion, avoid paying marital debts with the funds from the inheritance. Instead, deposit the funds into a bank account with only your name on it. Do NOT deposit the funds into a joint checking account. If you are planning on divorcing but you expect an inheritance while your divorce is pending in the courts, the key is to keep the money separate from your marital assets.

But when an inheritance is commingled with marital assets, things become complicated and it can convert to marital property. They have that “what’s yours is mine” mentality. The individual doesn’t anticipate divorce, so they don’t see any harm in it. During happier times, spouses are in the habit of depositing an inheritance into the couple’s joint bank account. Inheritances are considered separate property and are not subject to division in a divorce providing the inheritance is kept separate. Property purchased with separate property.Inheritances received during the marriage.Separate property on the other hand, is not subject to division. Marital property includes all assets and income acquired during a marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title or who earned them. Under New York law, only marital property is divided in a divorce. New York is an equitable distribution state. Are you in an unhappy marriage but anticipating an inheritance in the future? Or, are you considering filing for divorce but now you’re concerned that your soon-to-be-ex is entitled to a portion of the inheritance you received during your marriage? Either way, you probably want to know how inheritances are treated in New York divorces.
