Selling During Divorce?
We Make It Simple.

Washington is one of nine community property states. This means any property acquired during the marriage is generally owned equally by both spouses — regardless of whose name is on the title or who made the payments.

Property owned before the marriage, inherited property, or gifts to one spouse are usually considered separate property and aren't automatically split.

When it comes to selling the house, both spouses typically need to agree and sign. If you can't agree, the court can order the sale as part of the divorce proceedings.

"Equitable division" in Washington doesn't always mean 50/50. Courts consider the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial situation, and other factors. Having a clear, documented property value — like our cash offer and listing comparison — gives the court solid data to work with.

Yes — and it's common. One spouse keeps the house and compensates the other for their share of the equity. This usually requires refinancing the mortgage into one name only.

The challenge is agreeing on what the house is worth. An appraisal is one option, but appraisals can vary by tens of thousands of dollars depending on the appraiser.

Our comparison — showing both the cash offer and listing projection — gives both spouses a clear picture of the home's realistic market value. Some attorneys use this as supporting documentation alongside a formal appraisal.

If a buyout isn't feasible (can't qualify for refinancing alone, or the equity split doesn't work), selling is usually the cleaner path forward.

If you've lived in the home for at least two of the last five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 in capital gains per person ($500,000 for a married couple filing jointly) from taxes on the sale.

Timing matters. If you sell while still married and file jointly, you can use the full $500,000 exclusion. If you wait until after the divorce is final and one spouse has moved out for more than three years, that spouse may lose their exclusion.

This is one reason many divorce attorneys recommend selling sooner rather than later — the tax benefits of selling while still married can be significant, especially for homes that have appreciated substantially.

We're not tax advisors, and every situation is different. Talk to your CPA or tax attorney about your specific circumstances.

If both spouses agree to sell, the process is straightforward — you both sign the listing agreement or purchase contract, and proceeds are split according to your divorce agreement.

If you can't agree, either spouse can petition the court to order the sale. The court typically appoints a receiver or orders the property listed. Court-ordered sales take longer and cost more (legal fees, receiver fees), and neither party has much control over the process.

A voluntary sale — even a fast cash sale — almost always nets more money and less stress than a court-ordered one. If communication between spouses is difficult, we can work with each party's attorney independently.

We frequently work alongside divorce attorneys and mediators. Here's what we provide that's useful in legal proceedings:

• Written cash offer with detailed breakdown of how we arrived at the number
• Listing comparison showing estimated net proceeds after commissions, repairs, and holding costs
• Timeline estimates for both paths (cash closing vs. traditional listing)

These documents can serve as evidence of fair market value in mediation or court proceedings. We're happy to speak directly with your attorney or mediator if it helps move things along.