Divorce is difficult for every couple, but when you have considerable assets, the process takes longer and disagreements can be harder to resolve. You need a divorce attorney with knowledge of finance and tax matters, excellent negotiating skills, and a willingness to go to court when necessary.
A Little Gables high-asset divorce lawyer has the skills and experience you need to meet your goals in a divorce. We can guide you through issues relating to your children, alimony, child support, and fair division of your marital property.
Complex Property Division Issues
Divorce requires a married couple to divide their marital property. Marital property is everything either spouse acquired during the marriage, except gifts and inheritances. It does not matter whose name is on the title or registration, or whose money purchased it.
Florida Statute § 61.075 requires couples to divide marital property equitably. The court begins with the idea that the division should be equal but then considers other factors that might favor one spouse receiving more, including:
- How long the marriage lasted.
- Each spouse’s contributions to the marriage and the household.
- Each spouse’s personal economic situation.
- Whether one spouse gave up professional or educational opportunities to support the other spouse’s education or career.
Other factors can influence a judge’s decision, and a Little Gables attorney will discuss the factors that could be influential in your high-asset divorce case.
Valuing Marital Property
One of the more difficult aspects of a high-asset divorce is agreeing on the value of the marital property. Couples with a high-net-worth often have complicated finances. They may need to agree on a value for foreign holdings, personal property like art or antiques, and interests in trusts and businesses. Our law firm has an extensive network of experts and appraisers to call upon in these situations.
Alimony
Spousal support after divorce is not mandatory in Florida, but it is often granted. A spouse may receive alimony when they can show that they cannot maintain the lifestyle they enjoyed with their spouse when using only their own resources.
Impact of a Marital Agreement
Many high-net-worth couples have prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. Courts honor these agreements, but when substantial assets are at stake, a spouse may ask a court to set it aside. Couples with marital agreements should review them with their attorneys to determine whether there are grounds for invalidating the agreement.
Issues Concerning Children
Judges make decisions about how parents share time with their children based solely on the children’s best interests. There may be some special considerations that impact that decision when a couple has significant wealth. A Little Gables attorney can explain how a judge might evaluate the children’s best interests in their divorce.
When there are disputes concerning custody or timesharing, a judge will consider any issue that may impact the children’s welfare. These include the parents’ business and social obligations. If the children would be cared for by a third-party in one parent’s home, the judge may consider awarding more time to the other parent.
The couple’s financial status is likely to impact the child support obligation. Florida publishes guidelines for child support, but judges can deviate from them. Most courts try to ensure that children do not experience a diminished lifestyle after divorce, and may order more child support than the guidelines require when necessary to maintain the children’s standard of living.
Contact a Little Gables Attorney About Managing Your High-Net-Worth Divorce
A divorce that involves substantial assets is a complicated legal proceeding. You must be prepared for extensive negotiations and delays, but working with a knowledgeable Little Gables high-asset divorce lawyer can ease the strain.
The attorneys at The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm are highly skilled in all aspects of divorce law. Contact our family law team today to schedule a free case evaluation.