Matrimonial law is a challenging area of practice because of how much the practitioner needs to know. It touches upon and overlaps with many other areas of law including tax, trusts and estates, immigration, contract law, criminal law, property, insurance and real estate. One complex area to understand is when matrimonial and real estate law overlap.

It is common for a couple who is divorcing to also own real estate, commonly the marital residence. In some instances, the couple may own multiple properties. There could be rental properties, farms, commercial property and more. And many times, the real estate, or real property, that they own is often one of the most valuable assets in the marital estate, in addition to any investments, retirement assets or artwork.

What does the matrimonial practitioner need to know to be most helpful to their client in negotiating the equitable distribution of marital real property when there is no prenuptial agreement in place?

Real estate law is a complex area, and in this class we will discuss some of the rudimentary basics of real estate, and then identify the real estate issues to be addressed in a divorce.