When going through a California divorce, it used to be that a couple's home was their most valuable asset. But as home values have steadily declined over the last year throughout Torrance and the rest of the United States, many couples are now underwater on mortgages and the home has become their biggest liability.

Purchasing or selling a home is already a very emotional event for most, whether because it is the start to a new life or the end of a prior one. When going through a divorce, simply listing a home can reopen wounds related to the split and cause even more trouble for a divorcing couple.

Some couples end up staying in a home after a divorce simply because it cannot be sold and neither can afford separate housing while still making the mortgage payments. Some couples end up attempting to sell the home through a short sale just to be rid of the debt and the jointly-owned asset.

Selling a home, particularly an underwater home, in this market is not easy. Many couples are forced to cooperate to move into a new, single lifestyle. If one spouse is intent on keeping the home, he or she can greatly reduce the likelihood of it selling.

From being unavailable for showings to refusing to keep the house in a manner that is "showable" to prospective buyers, one spouse or soon-to-be-ex-spouse can quickly derail a plan to sell the marital home.

The guidance of an experienced California divorce attorney can help things move as smoothly as possible. From negotiating with your ex-spouse to seeking the court's involvement when negotiation is ineffective, an attorney can help you make the divorce process as minimally painful as it can be.

Source: LoanSafe.org, "Divorce Can Ensnare Home Sales," Alex Ferreras, February 2, 2012