Protecting Your Rights; Ensuring The Property And Debt Division In Your Divorce Is Fair

Exclusively handling family law matters for men in Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, and Communities Throughout Alaska.

Property and debt division are always contentious issues in a divorce. Men find themselves worrying about what will happen to the family business, their military pension, or other important investments they have built up over the years. They also worry about credit card balances, mortgages, and car loans.

How will it work out in the end? Will it be fair? Will I be vilified and lose everything?

These questions are extremely common for men. At Family Law Center for Men, we understand your fears about your future financial security.

Our attorneys can help alleviate your concerns and offer the advocacy you need.

At the Family Law Center For Men, our ultimate goal is to make sure your voice is heard. We have dedicated the practice of law to advocate for men in your same situation. We will make sure you are treated fairly and your voice is heard during every stage of the negotiation process.

We often assist men with property and debt matters, such as:

• Investment property
• Retirement accounts, including 401(k), federal, state, and military pensions
• Family heirlooms or inheritances
• Credit card debts, private loans, car loans, mortgage balances, and student loans
• Family-owned business valuations

• (4) for the division between the parties of their property, including retirement benefits, whether joint or separate, acquired only during marriage, in a just manner and without regard to which of the parties is in fault; however, the court, in making the division, may invade the property, including retirement benefits, of either spouse acquired before marriage when the balancing of the equities between the parties requires it; and to accomplish this end the judgment may require that one or both of the parties assign, deliver, or convey any of their real or personal property, including retirement benefits, to the other party; the division of property must fairly allocate the economic effect of divorce by being based on consideration of the following factors:
• (A) the length of the marriage and station in life of the parties during the marriage;
• (B) the age and health of the parties;
• (C) the earning capacity of the parties, including their educational backgrounds, training, employment skills, work experiences, length of absence from the job market, and custodial responsibilities for children during the marriage;
• (D) the financial condition of the parties, including the availability and cost of health insurance;
• (E) the conduct of the parties, including whether there has been unreasonable depletion of marital assets;
• (F) the desirability of awarding the family home, or the right to live in it for a reasonable period of time, to the party who has primary physical custody of children;
• (G) the circumstances and necessities of each party;
• (H) the time and manner of acquisition of the property in question; and
• (I) the income-producing capacity of the property and the value of the property at the time of division;
• (5) if an animal is owned, for the ownership or joint ownership of the animal, taking into consideration the well-being of the animal.

Regardless of the complexity of your situation, our lawyers have over 55 years of combined legal experience. There isn’t a situation we cannot handle. Let us help you – contact us today!

How Is Property Divided in an Alaska Divorce?

Alaska follows the principle of equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided in a just and fair manner—not necessarily equally—without regard to fault under AS 25.24.160(a)(4). The court identifies marital property (assets acquired during the marriage), values it, and allocates it based on various factors to fairly address the economic effects of divorce. As property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, at Family Law Center for Men, we fight aggressively to protect husbands’ interests, ensuring your contributions, assets like retirement benefits, businesses, or investments are safeguarded in a fair division that reflects your hard work and financial reality.

What Factors Do Alaska Courts Consider When Dividing Property and Debt?

Under AS 25.24.160(a)(4), courts consider factors including the length of the marriage and station in life during the marriage; the age and health of the parties; earning capacity (education, training, skills, work experience, time away from the job market for child care); financial condition (including health insurance availability); conduct (such as unreasonable depletion of marital assets); desirability of awarding the family home to the primary custodian; circumstances and necessities; time and manner of acquisition; income-producing capacity; and value at the time of division. As property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, we build strong evidence for fathers and husbands to demonstrate why a fair allocation should prioritize your economic stability and contributions.

What Is Considered Marital Property vs. Separate Property in Alaska?

Marital property includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage, such as homes, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, pensions, and household goods. Separate property generally includes premarital assets, inheritances, gifts, or post-separation earnings—unless commingled or transmuted into marital property. Courts may invade separate property if equities require it. Our property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, help husbands trace and protect separate assets, preventing unfair inclusion while ensuring marital property is divided equitably to protect your financial future.

How Are Debts Divided in an Alaska Divorce?

Debts incurred during the marriage, such as mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and student loans, are presumed marital and divided equitably alongside assets under AS 25.24.160. The court assigns responsibility based on the same fairness factors used for property. Premarital or post-separation debts are typically separate. As property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, we advocate fiercely for men to avoid disproportionate debt burdens, negotiating or litigating to allocate debts fairly and minimize long-term financial impact.

Can Retirement Benefits and Pensions Be Divided in Alaska?

Yes, retirement benefits—including 401(k)s, IRAs, federal, state, and military pensions—are considered property and subject to division under AS 25.24.160(a)(4). Courts may require Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for proper transfer. For husbands with significant retirement assets, especially military or long-term employment, our property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, ensure accurate valuation and equitable allocation that protects your earned benefits and future security.

What Happens to the Family Home in Property Division?

The marital home is typically marital property, and the court may award it to one spouse or order its sale, considering factors like desirability for the primary child custodian, equity, and each party’s needs. Courts aim for fairness, not automatic equal split. If you’re a husband concerned about losing the family home or its equity, our property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, fight to secure a just outcome—whether retaining the home, fair buyout, or other solutions that align with your circumstances.

How Can a Family Business Be Handled in Alaska Property Division?

Family-owned businesses acquired or grown during marriage are marital property subject to valuation and equitable division. Courts consider contributions, income-producing capacity, and overall fairness. As property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, specializing in men’s rights, we work with valuation experts to protect husbands’ interests in businesses, ensuring your sweat equity and leadership are recognized in a fair allocation that preserves your economic legacy.

Why Hire a Property & Debt Division Lawyer in Anchorage, AK?

Property and debt division is often the most contentious part of divorce, involving complex valuations, tracing assets, and potential unfair claims—putting men at risk without strong advocacy. A dedicated property & debt division lawyer in Anchorage, AK, like those at Family Law Center for Men, listens to your concerns, gathers financial evidence, challenges improper classifications, and litigates aggressively to secure a fair division that protects your assets, minimizes debt exposure, and safeguards your future.

Can Property Division Be Modified After the Divorce Decree?

Property division orders are generally final and not modifiable except in rare cases of fraud, duress, or clerical error. Child-related or support issues may be modified with changed circumstances, but asset/debt division is harder to revisit. If you’re a husband facing an unfair initial division or new facts, our property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, review your decree and explore limited options to protect your rights.

How Do Premarital Agreements Affect Property and Debt Division?

Valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreements can override default equitable distribution rules, designating separate property, limiting division, or addressing debts. Courts enforce them if voluntary, with full disclosure, and not unconscionable. As property & debt division lawyers in Anchorage, AK, we help husbands enforce or defend these agreements to ensure pre-marital assets, inheritances, and businesses remain protected during divorce.

Areas We Serve in Alaska

Anchorage | Juneau | Ketchikan | Palmer | Sitka | Wasilla