In Tennessee, property owned by one partner previous to marriage is mostly thought-about separate property. This consists of actual property, like a home. Separate property stays individually owned until it’s commingled with marital belongings or a partner deliberately provides the opposite partner’s identify to the title. For example, if one partner purchases a house earlier than the wedding after which, after marriage, makes use of joint funds to pay the mortgage, a portion of that house’s fairness could possibly be deemed marital property topic to division upon divorce. Equally, including a partner’s identify to the deed can even convert separate property to marital property.
Understanding the excellence between separate and marital property is essential in Tennessee divorce proceedings. This classification instantly impacts how belongings are divided upon dissolution of the wedding. Sustaining clear information of premarital asset acquisition, reminiscent of retaining the unique deed and buy agreements, can considerably simplify property division within the occasion of divorce. Traditionally, Tennessee legislation has acknowledged the significance of defending premarital belongings, reflecting societal values about particular person possession and monetary independence.