Texas High Net Worth Divorces

The special issues unique to high-net-worth divorces increase the complexity associated with successfully valuing and untangling assets. A systematic approach that correctly identifies these special issues as well as the solutions is essential to ensuring both a clean and equitable final property division.

For this reason, it’s important to hire an experienced high-asset divorce attorney, as they are well-versed in managing cases with significant assets and complex financial matters, including valuation and division of business interests, investments, unreported income, forensic accounting, and tax implications.

Yes, you can. Settling out of court through negotiation is a desirable option if privacy, efficiency, and control are high on your priority list.

You can minimize the emotional and financial costs of protracted litigation by choosing to handle your divorce outside of the courtroom using one of several non-adversarial methods, including mediation, negotiated divorce, or collaborative divorce.

By choosing one of these alternative methods of divorce, you will retain more control to create a customized resolution for your family’s specific needs, since no one can guarantee whether a judge’s ruling will be in your favor. In the event that you cannot settle your divorce out of court, our family law attorneys are highly skilled in court litigation and will zealously advocate for your best interests. 

The first step is to work with your high-asset divorce attorney and a forensic accountant, who will get an understanding of your financial circumstances and guide you through the forensic accounting process. For more information, please listen to our podcast episode on the topic, “Is My Spouse Hiding Money?”

The simplest answer is for the parties to stipulate and agree upon what property is separate. That can be accomplished through a premarital agreement before getting married, a marital agreement entered into during the marriage, or even by stipulation during a divorce process.

If no such agreement exists, however, methods for distinguishing separate from community property at the end of the marriage will vary, depending upon the type of asset.

Physical assets, such as cars, antiques, or gifts are frequently established as separate property through direct testimony supported by titling documents, receipts, letters, photographs, or other supporting records.

Financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or even cash, generally must be forensically traced back through time to their point of origin using account statements and recognized tracing methodologies.