Answers by Kashif Rasul

As a realtor with over 14 years of experience in Virginia, my advice would be to protect your financial interest before the house goes on the market, not after you receive an offer. I assume your house is in Vienna, Virginia, here are a few things I would recommend. First, review your divorce decree and property settlement agreement. These documents may already specify how the proceeds from the sale should be divided. Just because both names are on the deed doesn't automatically mean the proceeds will be split 50/50. Second, contact the settlement or title company handling the sale and provide them with the relevant divorce documents. Make sure they understand how the proceeds are supposed to be distributed. Third, request a copy of the estimated seller's closing statement before settlement. This will show the mortgage payoff, closing costs, and estimated net proceeds. Most importantly, don't sign any agreement regarding the distribution of proceeds unless you're comfortable with it and it matches your legal entitlement. If there is any disagreement between you and your former spouse, I would strongly recommend consulting a Virginia family law attorney before moving forward. I've always believed that selling a home should bring clarity and financial peace of mind, not create another dispute. A little preparation before listing can help prevent much bigger problems at closing