Divorce law in Washington generally regards assets and debts acquired during the marriage as community property, but everything the spouses acquired and owned before the marriage is separate property. Generally, each party is awarded their own separate property and a portion of the community property. When dividing property, the court considers several factors including the length of the marriage and the financial differences between the spouses. If a marriage lasted a long time or if one spouse is severely financially challenged, the court may even award a portion of your separate property to your spouse. This is to ensure both parties can live comfortably after the divorce is finalized — but mistakes can be made. The division of property may hit men hard because some husbands work more than their wives, so a man can suddenly see everything he has worked for being given away — and not necessarily equally. Men who have worked hard to build a small business face the possibility of losing part of it in divorce or being forced to sell. Characterizing property as “community” or “separate” is often one of the most difficult tasks during a divorce. Many legal issues can affect that determination. With that being said, it is vital for you and your attorney to be thorough in your valuation of the assets. You may need the assistance of real estate agents and/or accountants to provide accurate appraisals of property or business holdings. Other experts, such as vocational evaluators, may be necessary to evaluate earning capacity of a spouse. Once the divorce is final, the property and debt division included in the decree is also final and cannot be changed. You only have one opportunity to win a fair division of the property, and it must happen before the divorce is finalized. With a qualified divorce attorney on your side from the outset, you can ensure that you and your hard-earned estate are protected.