Rui Alves’ Post

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Partner - Attorney at Law at Barton Gilman LLP -Divorce/Child Custody/Criminal Defense/Civil Litigator

🏠 **RI Divorce: When Premarital Property Becomes Marital Property: Florio v. Florio Case Insight** 🏠 A recent ruling in Rhode Island's Family Court reinforces a critical legal principle: under certain conditions, even assets acquired before marriage can become marital property. In *Florio v. Florio (P2022-5383)*, Judge Michael Forte ruled that a home, originally bought by the husband before the marriage, was now a marital asset due to significant "dissipation of marital assets." Key takeaways: 1. **Doctrine of Transmutation**: Through actions like using joint funds for upkeep, spending for non-marital purposes (e.g., gambling), or drawing on the property for loans, premarital assets can transform into marital assets.    2. **Financial Misconduct Matters**: The court weighed the husband’s spending habits—particularly around gambling and personal debt—which depleted the couple's assets. This misuse factored heavily in the decision to award the property as a divisible asset. 3. **Importance of Legal Representation**: The judge awarded attorneys’ fees to the wife, acknowledging the significant challenges many face in covering legal costs in divorce cases. This decision signals to family law practitioners and clients alike: marital estate boundaries can shift based on conduct, and financial transparency is crucial in marital property considerations. #FamilyLaw #Divorce #AssetDivision #MaritalProperty #FinancialTransparency

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