Divorce is a very complicated issue, in many ways. Of course, it is an emotional hurdle, though it can also be a legal and financial one as well. This is especially true if you or your spouse are high net worth individuals. Please continue reading and reach out to our experienced New Jersey family law attorneys to learn more about high net worth divorces and how we can help you through every step of the legal process ahead. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Am I in a high net worth divorce?
The qualification for what makes a divorce a high net one is relatively simple: if you or your spouse owns over $1 million in assets, you are in a high net worth divorce. If you are in a high net worth divorce, you need an attorney who can fight for all you have at stake.
What assets are involved in high net worth divorces?
As with any other divorce, if you cannot reach terms on your own, your assets will most likely be subject to the equitable distribution process, wherein the courts will evaluate your assets and essentially determine who gets what. That being said, rather obviously, if you are a high net individual, there is a very good chance that you will have more at stake than the average person. For example, oftentimes, high net worth spouses have to worry about vacation homes, additional properties, retirement accounts, businesses, and more. That is why oftentimes, high net worth divorces involve additional parties, such as private investigators, property/business appraisers, forensic accountants, and more.
How do I protect my assets from a divorce?
There are various ways couples can protect their assets from a divorce. For example, if a couple is not yet married, they may draft a prenuptial agreement that can outline what will happen to their property, should they ever get divorced. That being said, if you are already married, you may draft a document known as a postnuptial agreement, which essentially functions the same as a prenuptial agreement, only it is drafted after marriage. Finally, if you and your spouse jointly own a business, you may draft a shareholder agreement that outlines each of your interests in the company.
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Here at McNerney & McAuliffe, we understand how confusing certain legal matters can be, which is why we are here to provide clients from all walks of life with the experienced, compassionate legal guidance they need. If you require the legal assistance of an attorney to help you through a criminal law matter, personal injury matter, family law matter, or otherwise, you can turn to us. Contact McNerney & McAuliffe today to learn more about what we can do for you.