Splitting up is hard to do – and splitting up all the household stuff that you and your spouse have accumulated over the years can be even harder.
While a lot of couples initially focus on the big items, like their bank accounts, vehicles and investments, those are largely decisions based on “dollars and cents.” There’s usually less emotional involvement. Household items are often the opposite – because people get very attached to the things they surround themselves with every day.
So, how can you and your spouse split the household goods without going to war? Here are some suggestions:
Set aside any items that need to be valued as part of the divorce negotiations
First things first: Separate any items that have significant monetary value so that they can be factored into the divorce negotiations. You may need to have a collection or some antiques appraised, for example, so that their value is clear. They can be part of larger negotiations when it comes time to balance each party’s share of the marital assets.
Each of you should make a list of everything else that you would like to have
Figuring out what isn’t in dispute can make this process a lot easier. You may have zero interest in your spouse’s gardening tools, for example – and your spouse may have no interest in the contents of your craft closet. You only need to worry about how to divide items that end up on both of your lists.
Decide on a fair method for dividing items that appear on both lists
One of the easiest ways to divide everything else is to simply create two groups of items that are roughly the same value, with connected items staying together. For example, the main bedroom furniture may go into one pile, while the living room furniture goes into another. The dishes can go into the first pile, while the flatware and crystal go into the second – and so on. Then, decide on a fair way to determine who gets to choose their pile. Popular methods involve rolling dice to see who gets the high number or using an app to flip a coin. Both of you will ultimately walk away with at least some of the things you want.
Property division is one of the most complicated areas of any divorce, but it’s always easier to navigate when you have experienced legal guidance.