Nashville High Asset Divorce Lawyers

It’s never simple when a couple separates. This is especially true in situations involving significant real estate, investments, businesses, and other property. It takes a skilled divorce attorney with the experience to handle such high-asset divorces to make sure all parties receive a satisfying settlement offer.

The divorce lawyers at Martin Heller Potempa & Sheppard, PLLC routinely advise individuals in Nashville and the surrounding communities on pursuing a peaceful and satisfactory separation. Using cutting-edge strategies with meticulous attention to detail in valuing a couple’s assets, our attorneys dedicate themselves to protecting your financial interests in a high-asset divorce.

Pursuing a High-Asset Divorce in Tennessee

Divorces involving significant assets often require more complex dealings in the division of property. We refer to these as “high-asset” divorces. In many situations, they require a valuation and determination of the following factors:

• Investments and stocks with high net-worth
• Joint business ventures
• Closely held partnerships or other businesses
• Substantial savings, pension, or retirement accounts
• Real property holdings

High-asset divorces may involve the consultation of financial experts. They will determine accurate valuations and appraisals of these assets. Often, some of the most concerning issues for a spouse with a high net worth are determining equitable distribution and alimony for the lesser earning or dependent spouse.

Classifying assets as either marital or separate property are vital in determining what type of division may be equitable. Separate property includes any inheritances, gifts, or property that one spouse owned prior to the marriage.

Marital property includes any assets gained or earned during the marriage. Although it seems these definitions are cut and dry, classification can actually be much more complex. For instance, if a separate property is commingled with marital property, that property can turn into a marital asset. Or, if separate property is used to invest in a jointly owned business or to further the educational standing of one spouse, the status of the asset could be altered.

Complexities in High-Asset Divorces

High-asset divorces require careful consideration of all financial aspects, as well as some emotional aspects, that are present in all marriage dissolutions. Spouses may disagree over the enforceability of prenuptial agreements, proper alimony amounts, and child support or visitation matters.

Consulting one of our Nashville high-asset divorce attorneys can help a divorcing couple reach an agreement suitable for them. Many prefer this to the alternative of leaving it up to a court to decide in legal proceedings. Our attorneys can assist with the following:

• Identifying any hidden assets so fair property division can occur
• Evaluating your businesses to determine the full and fair value
• Evaluating the fair marketing value of any stocks, bonds, money market accounts, and any other financial accounts
• Examining any property interests such as vacation homes and rental properties
• Retirement accounts
• Addressing any concerns about child support payments

Ownership Transfers

One of the biggest concerns in a high-asset divorce is a couple’s ownership interest in a private business at the time of a divorce settlement. While rare, in some cases, a divorcing couple can continue to work together for the sake of the business. Typically, one partner will try to buy out the other.

When this happens, they need to address certain elements of the divorce settlement. These include:

• Release of claims from the business to ensure that the transfer did take place and that there will not be future claims against it once the divorce is final.
• The spouse who transfers ownership will need to seek indemnity, or security, from future litigation against the company or other spouse once the divorce is final. This protects the transferor from future lawsuits should they arise.
• The company should file a K-1 tax document to the spouse who transfers the ownership. This protects the spouse from any taxable income in the coming year.
• The spouse making the transfer will need to address all rights, titles, and interests that are also transferred so no property or assets are withheld.

While a property transfer often leads to a payout, the problem arises when there is not enough cash available to buy out that spouse. In that case, the other spouse will continue to hold business ownership for a set amount of time until the interest is met.

However, these cases quickly can become complicated, which is why it is imperative to have legal guidance from a high-asset divorce attorney.

Seek Legal Guidance in Nashville When Dissolving a Marriage

High-asset divorces often become complicated, and often with complexity comes adversity. Having a strong legal advocate on your side can make a difference in your future. At Martin Heller Potempa & Sheppard PLLC, our Nashville divorce attorneys can make the process of going through a high-asset divorce go as smoothly as possible. We work tirelessly to pursue an outcome where a client is satisfied.

If you need help with a high-asset divorce or another family law matter, contact us today to set up an appointment.