Division of Property in case of disparate incomes

[kirk]

I live in TX and have just received notice by my wife that she is leaving me. It has been a wonderful, non-abusive 7 year relationship which I have cherished,(no kids). It has come as a complete shock to hear that she wants to live an independent life, a lifestyle she has never experienced as we were married out of college. I love her very much and I do not want her to go. I do not want to appear as selfish but I earn in excess of $200k a year and she at $30k. I feel as though she wants to take advantage of my 12 hour days and pressure filled job that I have managed so that she can enjoy a happy life. I want this to be an amicable parting(if we can't work it out) but a part of me feels it is not fair to split assets down the middle. In the division of assets, is there a way to make up for the disparacy in income?

 

[trueman]

??

I am not sure if TX is a community property state. In general, any assets you created in the marriage are considered marital property and she is entitled to half. The courts usually assume that your asset building is a gift towards the marriage. In your case $$$$, but the courts know that money is not everything and in your case you recieved equally back in other ways. You can always start over... everone has to.