Equitable Distribution

Strategic Division of Marital Property and Debt in North Carolina Divorce

Whether you’re fighting for your financial future or trying to preserve a fair share of what you’ve built, equitable distribution is one of the most contested and critical aspects of divorce in North Carolina.

At Robinson & Lawing, LLP, we represent clients in both emotionally charged and high-value asset division matters with precision, persistence, and clarity.

What Is Equitable Distribution?

In North Carolina, equitable distribution is the legal process of dividing marital assets and debts. The law presumes an equal (50/50) division is fair, but that presumption can be rebutted when one party can show that equal is not equitable.

The process includes:

Identifying what assets and debts are marital (acquired during the marriage)
Classifying each item as marital, separate, or mixed
Valuing the assets based on fair market value
Distributing the property in a way that accounts for fairness, not just equality

What’s Divided in a Divorce?

Equitable distribution covers much more than bank accounts and houses. We help clients inventory, value, and advocate for their share of:

Retirement accounts, pensions, and 401(k)s (including QDROs)
Real estate, including the marital home, vacation properties, and investment holdings
Vehicles, boats, recreational equipment, and trailers
Business interests, LLCs, and professional practices
College savings plans (529 accounts) and custodial funds
IRAs, brokerage accounts, and other investment vehicles
Art, collectibles, jewelry, tools, and family heirlooms
Furnishings, household items, and sentimental property
Marital debt, including credit cards, mortgages, business loans, and personal loans

We also assist clients in tracing separate property such as inheritances or premarital assets, and challenging attempts to conceal or undervalue assets.

High-Asset and Complex Division

If your divorce involves significant assets, commingled investments, or financial complexity, our team has the skill and resources to protect your interests. We collaborate with forensic accountants, business valuation experts, and certified appraisers to ensure every asset is properly disclosed, accounted for, and valued accurately.

We know how to unwind complicated financial pictures, expose attempts to hide or dissipate assets, and present a compelling case for a fair distribution.

Mediation and Settlement

We regularly resolve equitable distribution cases through mediation, especially when both parties are willing to negotiate in good faith. Mediation allows for creative, private resolutions tailored to your real life, rather than court-imposed judgments.

Why Choose Robinson & Lawing

Our firm brings a rare mix of technical fluency and emotional intelligence to equitable distribution cases. We understand how assets reflect more than money, and we approach even the smallest items with the strategic attention they deserve. Whether your estate is modest or multimillion-dollar, our goal is to maximize transparency, minimize risk, and position you for life after divorce.

Connect with Our Legal Intelligence

If you’re facing divorce and need experienced guidance on how your property will be divided, contact Robinson & Lawing, LLP today. We’ll help you understand your rights, protect what’s yours, and fight for a resolution that reflects both fairness and fact.