Lighthouse Point is known for its canal-front and waterfront properties, and the equity in those homes is often the most significant asset in a divorce proceeding. Properly valuing waterfront real estate requires a qualified appraisal, and the marital equity calculation involves subtracting any outstanding mortgage and analyzing whether any portion of the purchase or improvement was funded by separate property. If the property has appreciated substantially during the marriage, that appreciation is generally treated as a marital asset subject to equitable distribution.
When both spouses want to retain the home, or when neither can qualify for refinancing independently, the disposition of real property can become the most contested issue in the divorce. A divorce lawyer in Lighthouse Point who understands property division under Florida law can help identify the realistic options and negotiate an arrangement that accounts for both parties' financial realities.
