What could lead to a spouse causing a significant change in the value of family property post-separation?

A significant change in the value of family property post-separation can occur due to various actions or inactions by one of the spouses. Neglecting maintenance of the property is particularly impactful because failure to adequately care for property can lead to a deterioration in its condition, resulting in a decrease in value. When one spouse does not maintain shared family property, such as failing to repair necessary issues or neglecting regular upkeep, it can directly affect the marketability and overall worth of that property.

In contrast, market fluctuations are external economic factors that influence property value but are not under the control of either spouse. Withdrawal of funds for personal use could impact the financial situation of the family but does not inherently change the property's value itself. Purchasing a new home might utilize funds that could otherwise have been allocated toward maintaining existing property, but buying a new home alone doesn’t affect the value of the family property in question unless it directly leads to neglect or mismanagement of the existing property. Thus, neglecting maintenance directly correlates with the degradation of property value, fulfilling the criteria for a significant change in value post-separation.