{"id":376154,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-marital-property-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-07-12T13:00:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T18:00:09","slug":"rhode-island-marital-property-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-marital-property-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Rhode Island Marital Property Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rhode Island Marital Property Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Rhode Island, like most other states, is an equitable distribution state. In a divorce or legal separation, couples must divide all marital property fairly, but not always equally. Marital property is everything acquired or purchased during the marriage, no matter whose name is on the title.<\/p>\r\n

A few states, like California, are community property<\/a> states. In these states, family law courts split marital property 50\/50 between spouses. All states have their own definition of marital and separate property.<\/p>\r\n

Married couples can make their own property division arrangements with a prenuptial agreement. Rhode Island courts will incorporate these agreements into any divorce orders.<\/p>\r\n

Note:<\/b><\/i> State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. You should consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) before making any legal decisions.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Marital Property vs. Separate Property<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Marital property<\/a> <\/a><\/b>is everything acquired during a marriage by either spouse. It’s also anything bought with marital property and any increase in separate property due to efforts by the spouses. Marital property can include:<\/p>\r\n