Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: laws regarding seperate property $ invested in a home

Proceeds from the sale of property owned prior to marriage remain separate property as long as the proceeds can be traced and are not commingled with community funds. Property purchased with those proceeds remains separate property. The details of your situation cannot be addressed in a short answer because there are many related issues that can impact a court's property award.

For instance, there may be a community lien on separate property or a separate property lien on community property to reimburse one spouse for monies expended during the marriage. Also, if the property was purchased during a meretricious relationship (a long-term and stable live-in relationship) then it may be treated as community property even if it was purchased under the name of only one of the spouses. Finally, although the court generally does award each person his or her own separate property, it is not required to and can, if it feels that the circumstances warrant it, award one spouse's separate property to the other spouse.

You should talk to an attorney regarding the specific facts surrounding your situation for a more complete answer to your question.