Can a single episode of domestic violence affect the property division?

In those states that do consider marital fault in property division – and domestic violence is considered marital fault – the domestic violence must be more than a one-time thing, unless the violence was especially egregious. For example, the court would consider a beating so violent that it puts a woman in the hospital. Consideration, it should be remembered, means what a judge says it means, and it is not a guarantee that a court will be moved in favor of an abused spouse.


In extreme cases, such as murder or attempted murder, courts have made one-sided property divisions in favor of the victim.