What Is Marital Home?
The primary residence shared by spouses during the marriage.
The marital home is the primary residence where the married couple lived together. It is often the largest single asset in a divorce and one of the most emotionally significant. In divorce, there are generally three options for the marital home: one spouse buys out the other's share and keeps the home, the home is sold and the proceeds are divided, or (less commonly) both spouses continue to co-own the home for a period of time. If one spouse keeps the home, they typically need to refinance the mortgage to remove the other spouse's name and pay the other spouse their share of the equity — either in cash, by trading other assets, or through an offset in the settlement. The decision to keep or sell often depends on whether the remaining spouse can afford the full cost of homeownership on a single income.
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View CalculatorsThis definition is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Laws vary by state and change frequently. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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