Dividing a life’s worth of shared assets and debts is one of the most complex — and consequential — aspects of any divorce. Property division mediation gives you and your spouse the ability to negotiate a fair financial settlement together, with the guidance of a mediator who understands both the legal framework and the tax implications of every decision you make.
At Compass Mediation Group, lead mediator Alisa Kharis brings a rare combination of qualifications to property division cases. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law and previously practiced law for 16 years in Washington state courts — handling civil litigation, business law, family law, and more across King, Pierce, Kitsap, Whatcom, and Grays Harbor counties. She is also a credentialed IRS Enrolled Agent — a federally licensed tax professional authorized to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service — and holds a Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association (IMA), earned through a rigorous year-long training program. With over 25 years of mediation experience and education, Alisa doesn’t just help you divide assets. She helps you understand what those assets are actually worth after taxes, so you can make decisions based on real numbers, not assumptions.
All sessions are conducted virtually, serving clients nationwide.
Most divorce attorneys are skilled negotiators, but very few have deep tax expertise. And in property division, the tax consequences of a settlement can be worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Consider this example: You and your spouse agree to split things “50/50.” You take the $500,000 house; your spouse takes $500,000 in a 401(k). On paper, that looks equal. But is it?
How marital property is divided depends in part on where you live. There are two primary legal frameworks in the United States:
In community property states (including Washington, California, and Arizona — three of Compass Mediation Group’s primary service areas), most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered jointly owned and are generally split 50/50.
In equitable distribution states (including Oregon), courts divide property based on what is “fair” — which doesn’t necessarily mean equal. Factors considered include the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, contributions to the marriage (including homemaking), and each spouse’s financial needs going forward.
In mediation, you’re not bound by either formula. You and your spouse can agree to any division you both find fair, as long as it’s voluntary and informed. Alisa helps you understand the legal framework that applies in your state so you can negotiate from a position of knowledge.
The family home is often the largest and most emotional asset in a divorce. Options include:
Alisa helps you evaluate each option by considering current market value, mortgage obligations, and tax consequences.
Dividing retirement assets is one of the most technically complex areas of property division. Different account types have different rules:
As an IRS Enrolled Agent, Alisa understands the tax treatment of each account type and ensures you don’t make costly errors — like taking a lump-sum distribution that triggers both income tax and a 10% early withdrawal penalty when a QDRO transfer would have been tax-free.
If either spouse owns a business, property division becomes significantly more complex. Questions to address include:
Alisa brings firsthand business ownership experience to these conversations. As the founder of multiple companies — including Compass Mediation Group, Compass Tax Center, and Synergy Relations, an umbrella company she has operated since 2003 providing consultation, strategic communications, PR, event planning, video production, and marketing — she understands business valuation, operations, and financial structures from the inside, not from a textbook.
While less complex than real estate or retirement accounts, dividing vehicles, furniture, jewelry, art, collections, and other personal property still requires a systematic approach. Mediation provides a structured process for addressing these items efficiently.
Property division isn’t just about assets — it’s about liabilities too. Marital debts that must be addressed include:
Alisa helps you create a complete financial picture — assets and debts together — so your settlement is based on net worth, not just gross assets.
One of the most common concerns in divorce is whether the other spouse is hiding assets. While mediation is a collaborative process, it requires both parties to participate in good faith with full financial disclosure.
Alisa’s financial expertise — rooted in her IRS Enrolled Agent credential, her 16 years of former legal practice (including civil litigation and business disputes), and her own experience running multiple businesses — allows her to identify red flags that may indicate hidden assets or unreported income, including:
If full disclosure is not forthcoming, Alisa can recommend that the parties engage a forensic accountant or other financial professional to ensure transparency.
This is where Alisa’s IRS Enrolled Agent credential provides extraordinary value to clients. Tax considerations that arise in property division include:
Transferring appreciated assets between spouses during divorce is generally tax-free under IRC Section 1041. But when those assets are later sold, the capital gains tax falls on the recipient. Understanding the embedded tax liability in an asset is essential to negotiating a fair settlement.
As noted above, different retirement accounts carry different tax burdens. A pre-tax 401(k) is worth less than its face value because every dollar withdrawn will be taxed. A Roth IRA, by contrast, can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement.
The Section 121 exclusion allows individuals to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly) of capital gains from the sale of a primary residence. Timing the sale of the home relative to the divorce can significantly affect the tax outcome.
If a lender forgives a portion of marital debt (such as in a short sale), the forgiven amount may be treated as taxable income.
Your tax filing status in the year of divorce depends on whether the divorce is finalized before December 31. This can have a significant impact on tax brackets, deductions, and credits.
Alisa helps you evaluate every proposed settlement through a tax lens — so you know the real, after-tax value of what you’re agreeing to.
Alisa is one of the few mediators in the country who holds this federal tax credential, earned in 2022. This gives Compass Mediation Group clients a significant advantage in property division negotiations — particularly when dividing retirement accounts, business interests, and real estate with embedded capital gains.
With a JD from Seattle University School of Law and 16 years of trial and motions practice across five Washington state counties before transitioning to full-time mediation, Alisa brings real legal depth to financial negotiations — not just mediation training.
Alisa’s Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association — earned through a year-long training program — combined with over 25 years of mediation experience and education, ensures you’re working with one of the most qualified professionals in the field.
As the founder and operator of multiple companies — including Synergy Relations (since 2003), Compass Tax Center, and Compass Mediation Group — Alisa understands business valuation, financial statements, and operational realities from firsthand experience.
Alisa doesn’t represent either spouse. She ensures both parties understand the financial and tax implications of every option so they can make informed decisions.
All sessions are conducted online, allowing you to participate from home with your financial documents at your fingertips.
Schedule a free consultation to see how mediation can help you reach a fair, tax-smart property settlement — without the cost and conflict of litigation.
An IRS Enrolled Agent mediator with a law degree and over 25 years of mediation experience helps you understand the real, after-tax value of every asset before you agree to anything.
Call (888) 851-8856 or book online to get started.
Compass Mediation Group does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Alisa Kharis is a mediator, not a practicing attorney. Her legal background informs and enriches the mediation process, but she does not act as an attorney for any party. Both partners are encouraged to consult with independent attorneys for legal counsel. If you need legal representation, we are happy to refer you to qualified attorneys.
