we are getting divorced, so you take the table and I’ll take the chairs

{2 minutes to read} In my article How much is my Picasso worth? we talked about how to estimate the value of art collectibles in order to divide them up in a divorce. Today, I wanted to address how couples may choose to go about the division of their furniture and household items.

1. Create a spreadsheet with 3 columns. The first column should be entitled “Furnishings/Household Items.” The second and third columns should be the names of the parties.

2. In the first column, list all the items that you may want to share between the two of you, such as furniture, kitchen equipment, decorative objects, wall hangings, electronics, etc.

3. Go through the items together, or separately, and mark in the column titled with your name, the items you want.

4. Once you have each indicated your choices, you will need to discuss those that both of you chose and decide which one would be willing to give up that item and what you would accept in replacement.

Some couples may be concerned about the cost of replacing the missing items so that they can furnish their home appropriately. You will have to decide if the cost of replacement will come from joint assets or if you will each pay for your own.

I have seen couples who have tried to put a value next to each item on the list but that is a difficult task. Do we list the original cost? The value of the “used” item? Or the replacement cost?

In some instances, costs can be taken into consideration; in other instances, emotional attachment comes into play.

Above all, keep these tasks as simple as possible, and stay calm. Remember that these are only things. Moving on with your lives in a productive and positive way is more important.

If you are not able to work out the division of furniture and other items on your own, your mediator can help you through this step of your separation/divorce.

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Jennifer Safian

jennifer safian. divorce and family mediator
divorce and family mediation
upper east side of manhattan (nyc)
new york, ny
(917) 881 5206
jpsafian@gmail.com