I have been living with my husband for thirteen years. Our older child is eleven years old. However, we did not legally marry until six years ago. Would property accrued during our first seven years together be considered marital assets? – Barbara

Answer:

Barbara: Marital assets are only those acquired during the marriage. If the property acquired before the marriage is in joint names, you still have a claim, just not a marital claim. And, if you are on good terms, you can turn premarital property into marital property by putting it in joint names or with a postnuptial agreement.