We have written many times on this blog that California follows the “community property” model of asset division in divorce. Stated simply, this means that most assets acquired by either spouse during the marriage are considered community property (jointly owned) and...
Complex Property Division
3 assets people often overlook in complex divorce proceedings
California state law gives both spouses an interest in shared community property. Even when one spouse earns more than the other, the household income earned during the marriage is usually marital property that the couple will have to divide. The same is true of any...
How can you protect your business when planning a divorce?
You started the company that you own with the intention of supporting your family. You never anticipated that your relationship with your spouse would reach a point where divorce seems like a real possibility. However, that is your current situation. You run and own a...
Does your spouse have a claim to your deferred stock options?
California professionals working in high-demand occupations often have very complex compensation packages. Companies offer many benefits, including deferred stock options, to incentivize a long relationship with newly-acquired talent and to have them invested in the...
Will your ex-spouse get half of your retirement savings?
If you're nearing retirement and are considering a divorce, it's important to understand how this will impact your finances. You are probably concerned that your ex-spouse will get half of your retirement savings. Here is what you need to know about splitting...
Why cryptocurrency could be a problem in your divorce
California considers married couples to be a “community.” When you divorce, you must divide most things that you or your spouse acquired during the marriage as state law considers most of those things to belong to “the community” rather than either of you as...
3 places to look for hidden assets in a high-asset divorce
High-asset divorces frequently come with significant complications. The more property you have in your marital estate, the more motivation you have to fight with your ex. Some people aren't happy with negotiating with their ex or even litigating in the family courts....
Dividing and remaking your philanthropic footprint as you divorce
When high-net-worth couples divorce, sometimes the causes they’ve supported over the years are among the casualties. That doesn’t have to be the case. Likely, you and your spouse both want to continue your commitment to your philanthropical efforts after your marriage...
How will a California divorce court divide my business ownership interest?
If you co-own a business with one or more business partners, and you have an imminent divorce, you may be concerned about how your ownership interest will fare when you get to the property division portion of the divorce process. In many instances, an ownership...
Who gets the vacation home in a divorce?
Disputes pertaining to property division in divorces are bound to arise. Because California is a community property state, any assets acquired during the marriage equally belong to both divorcing spouses. The couple can try to work things out on their own. However,...