Assets & Debts – Start Here
Before you talk about support, parenting time, or settlement options, you need a clear picture of what you own and what you owe. This section helps you list your assets and debts, understand the difference between “mine,” “yours,” and “ours,” and get organized for mediation or a DIY settlement. The goal is progress, not perfection. You can mark items as “unsure” and come back later.
Understanding Community vs. Separate Property (California – Plain English)
California is a community property state. That means the law usually looks at your stuff in two main buckets: community property and separate property, plus a middle category where things are mixed.
1. Community Property (usually split 50/50)
Community property is what either of you acquired during the marriage. It usually belongs to both of you, even if it’s in just one person’s name. Examples:
- Income either spouse earned after the wedding
- Retirement contributions made during the marriage
- Houses bought with marital income
- Cars, furniture, tools, appliances bought during the marriage
- Credit card balances built up during the marriage
- Loans taken out to support the household
- 401(k) or pension growth during the marriage
- Tax refunds based on income earned during the marriage
It usually doesn’t matter whose name is on the account, who “paid more,” or who used it more. If it was acquired during the marriage, it is often treated as community property.
2. Separate Property (belongs only to one spouse)
Separate property generally includes:
- Anything you had before marriage (car, savings, retirement, etc.).
- Gifts or inheritances given to only one spouse, even during the marriage.
- Things bought with separate money (for example, using premarital savings to buy something).
- Income and assets after a true Date of Separation (when you really separated and intended to stay that way).
3. Mixed Property (a mix of community & separate)
Many things are part community, part separate. Examples:
- A retirement account that started before marriage but grew during the marriage.
- A house bought before marriage but paid with marital income.
- A business started before marriage but built with both spouses’ efforts during the marriage.
These items often have a separate portion and a community portion. A mediator or attorney can help untangle this. For now, your job is just to list the item and, if possible, mark that it may be “mixed.”
4. When You’re Not Sure
If you’re unsure whether something is community or separate property, that’s okay. In the organizer below, you can mark an item as “I’m not sure”. The important thing is that the item is listed. You can always ask for help later.
5. Why This Comes Before Support & Parenting
Support (child or spousal) depends on income, debt, and each person’s ability to pay. Parenting schedules may depend on whether each parent can realistically afford housing and transportation. That’s why we start here. Once you can see the full financial picture, everything else becomes easier to discuss.
Start Here: Simple Checklist
Your first job is just to list things. No one is grading you, and you do not need exact values yet.
- List all assets in your name.
- List all assets in your spouse’s name.
- List all assets in both names.
- List all debts (yours, theirs, joint).
- Mark “Unsure” if you don’t know the type or value.
Guided Worksheet (for rough notes)
Use these boxes if you prefer to write things out in your own words before entering them in the organizer below.
Real Estate (home, land, mobile homes)
Example: Family home at 123 Main St (joint), vacant land in Red Bluff (spouse’s inheritance), mobile home on rented space.
Vehicles (cars, trucks, RVs, trailers, motorcycles)
Example: 2015 Toyota Camry (joint), 2001 Ford Ranger (before marriage, separate), 2018 travel trailer with loan.
Bank Accounts & Cash (checking, savings, apps)
Example: Credit union checking (joint), savings in your name, Venmo or PayPal balances used for family expenses.
Retirement & Investments
Example: Your 401(k), spouse’s pension, IRAs, brokerage accounts, company stock, crypto.
Debts (credit cards, loans, taxes, medical)
Example: Joint credit cards, personal cards, car loans, HELOC, IRS debt, medical bills, family loans.
Notes to Mediator / Facilitator
Use this to flag anything confusing, disputed, or worrying you.
Interactive Assets & Debts Organizer
Use the left box to enter assets and the right box to enter debts. The organizer will total everything and store your entries in this browser.
Add an Asset
Assets are things you own or partly own (house, car, accounts, tools, etc.).
Add a Debt
Debts are things you owe (credit cards, loans, tax debts, etc.).
Summary Snapshot (Educational Only)
These numbers are rough estimates only. Courts use formal disclosures and sometimes appraisals or experts.
Items You’ve Entered
No items yet. Use the boxes above to start building your list.
2. Support & Budget Planner (Educational Only)
This tool helps you think through how monthly income, housing costs, and an educational-only support estimate might affect your monthly budget after separation or divorce. It is not a guideline child or spousal support calculator—just a planning tool to help you see whether the numbers feel realistic.
Binder note: Copy your monthly “After Support” estimates into Section 4 – Support & Monthly Budget Planner.
Step 1 – Monthly Income & Housing
Rent or mortgage + basic utilities.
Step 2 – Other Monthly Obligations
Example: extracurriculars, medical, school expenses.
This is a simplified educational estimate only. Courts use their own formulas and official guideline calculators. Always confirm support projections with a professional.
3. Attorney Fees vs Mediation Cost Comparison
This calculator helps you estimate the cost difference between a traditional attorney-driven divorce and a mediation/coaching-centered path. The goal is to see how quickly fees can add up—and how much you might save by resolving more issues outside of court.
Binder note: Copy the totals and savings estimate into Section 2 – Divorce Path & Cost Comparison.
Step 1 – Estimate Attorney Route
Example: If each side is $350–$450/hour, you might use $400.
Many contested cases easily exceed 60–100 hours combined.
Combined retainers for both sides.
Step 2 – Estimate Mediation & Coaching Route
Many couples can resolve major issues in 10–25 hours of structured work.
These numbers are estimates only. Real-world outcomes vary widely. Use them as a planning tool, not a guarantee.
4. Post-Divorce Stability Score (Readiness Check)
This is a simple self-check tool to help you think about your overall stability—financial, emotional, and practical— as you move toward divorce or separation. It is not a diagnosis or a prediction. It’s a conversation starter with yourself and your support team.
Binder note: Record your scores and your written reflection in Section 1 – Readiness & Stability Check.
Rate each area from 1 (very unstable) to 5 (very stable). Be honest—this is for you, not for court.
How reliable and predictable is your income?
Can you reasonably maintain housing after separation?
5 = very manageable, 1 = overwhelming.
5 = grounded & focused, 1 = overwhelmed & flooded.
Friends, family, community, professional support.
5 = low likelihood of major legal war, 1 = very high conflict.
This score is for your reflection only. It can be helpful to review it with a coach, mediator, therapist, or trusted support person as you plan your next steps.