Costa Mesa
Net-Worth Divorce Lawyer

High-net-worth divorces require a careful investigation of all assets. This includes real estate, bank accounts, business investments, and more. Working with an asset attorney can alleviate stress and help you prepare your case.

How the Law Offices of Lisa R. McCall Can Help

With over 20 years of experience in family law, divorce, and child support, the Law Offices of Lisa R. McCall is prepared to protect your rights. We can help you identify and value all assets, including businesses, investments, and real estate. We can also take care of all of the paperwork and steps of the investigation.

In addition to managing complex asset division, our law firm can also use our extensive knowledge and attention to detail to look for hidden assets. When you work with one of our high-net-worth divorce attorneys, we can give your case the attention it deserves while never losing sight of what is important to you. We know your focus is on your home and your family, and ours is, too.

What Is a High Net-Worth Divorce?

When two people end their marriage and it involves a substantial amount of assets, it is considered a high net-worth divorce. In California, it is not uncommon for households to go through the division of multimillion-dollar estates. Due to the significant assets at stake, these cases require a comprehensive financial analysis. Often, this includes the input of forensic accountants. An experienced divorce attorney can help coordinate these requirements.

We Fight for What Is Most Important to You

During the initial phase of asset identification, our lawyers can look very carefully at all of the details surrounding your property. We know how important it is to you, and the outcome of your divorce settlement can have a huge impact on your financial future. For this reason, we look at everything you may be entitled to, including:

• Homes and secondary property
• Vehicle
• Business and professional assets
• Investment accounts
• Retirement savings
• Annuities
• Life insurance policies
• Private equity
• Offshore accounts

Property division laws require you to split all shared assets 50/50, but we can use forensic tools to provide an accurate financial analysis. We can also use these tools to find any dishonest asset reporting from your spouse while protecting what is most important to you.

California Property Division

In California, there are two types of property division: community and separate. According to the law, all property of the marriage is considered “community” and is subject to equal division. Property that you purchased before the marriage, as well as assets that were gifts or inheritances given specifically to you, fall under separate property.

When going through the complicated process of property division, a Costa Mesa net-worth divorce attorney can look at all assets of both spouses. The length of your marriage can make a difference in the complexity of this step. When two people have been married for a long time, they generally accumulate a lot of shared assets.

High Net-Worth Divorces Disproportionately Impact Gray Couples

Gray divorces, or divorces among older couples, have tripled since the 1990s in the United States. When it comes to high-net-worth property division, divorce disproportionately impacts gray couples. The reasons for this can vary, but the top factors are that people are living longer now, and laws relating to gender and marriage have significantly changed in recent decades.

Why You Should Hire a Net-Worth Divorce Lawyer

According to researchers, divorce is the second-most stressful life experience to go through. When you have substantial assets, the legal process becomes even more complex. A knowledgeable Costa Mesa net-worth divorce lawyer is equipped to handle the financial issues of divorces involving substantial assets such as businesses, multiple properties, and investments.

In the United States, wealthier couples are at lower risk of divorce; however, finances can sometimes act as a deterrent to ending an unhappy marriage. The legal process may be more complicated with a high-net-worth divorce, but an experienced attorney can help you navigate every step of the way.

FAQs

Q: What Is a Statement of Net-Worth?

A: California requires both partners to provide a Statement of Net Worth when reviewing assets for division. This is a sworn financial document that outlines each individual’s financial health based on all owned assets and outstanding debts. The state requires this document to be accurate. You can calculate the numbers by subtracting total debts from total assets. An attorney can assist you with this step.

Q: Do I Need to Hire a High Net-Worth Attorney?

A: Although the law does not require you to hire a net-worth divorce lawyer, doing so can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Divorce is a complicated legal process, and there are many questions that can arise. When going through a high-net-worth divorce, both the importance of protecting your assets and the level of complexity increase.

Q: What Assets Are Untouchable in a Divorce?

A: Separate assets, or those you acquired prior to your wedding day, are untouchable during property division in a divorce. Generally, that also includes gifts and inheritances, unless they name both parties. When you visit the Orange County Superior Court during the divorce process, the judge will look at all of the assets both spouses own. California law requires a 50/50 division of all shared, or community, assets.

Q: Can a Prenuptial Agreement Protect My Assets?

A: Having a prenuptial agreement can protect your assets. A prenuptial agreement is an agreement between two partners about the future of their assets if the marriage fails. It must be created before getting married.

When dividing marital estates, a prenuptial agreement can make a difference in how the law approaches the property you purchased after your marriage. A high asset attorney who has experience working with property division and prenuptial agreements can provide guidance.

Protect Your Financial Future Today

Going through a divorce can be overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with significant assets. Here at the Law Offices of Lisa R. McCall, we have more than two decades of experience working on family law cases. We can use our knowledge to fight for your rights. Contact a Costa Mesa net-worth divorce lawyer to protect your financial future today.