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...
Complex Property Division
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...
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,...
Can you keep the family home after a divorce?
Divorce may already feel jarring enough. To give yourself -- and your children -- a bit more stability, you may decide that you at least want to keep the house after your divorce is over. But can you? If you and your spouse bought it together long before you thought...
How will divorce affect your retirement plans?
One bonus of divorce is that you will be free to live where you wish. If you always want to buy a Winnebago and travel the country, or move to be nearer your adult kids, you are free to do so -- as long as you can afford it. To be free to spend your retirement as you...
How do you find a fair way to put a value on deferred stock?
Successful professionals often have more complicated property to handle in a divorce. They may have more than one piece of real estate that they own jointly with their spouse, as well as retirement and investment accounts. There can also be benefits and non-standard...
Will you lose funds if you split a retirement account in divorce?
Planning for retirement typically means spending years setting aside small amounts of money. You contribute a little from each paycheck to a special fund or account so that you can support yourself when you eventually stop working. Many retirement savings programs...
Search out these records in complex property division situations
If you are preparing for a divorce, you do not need anyone telling you how hard or complicated it is to end a marriage. However, you might be able to use some guidance on how to get the property settlement you deserve. In our California family law practice, we have...
3 ways for you and your ex to handle your real estate in divorce
Real property, such as houses, vacant land or even commercial holdings, can be the most valuable possessions a couple acquires during their marriage. The value represented by real property is one of the reasons why real estate holdings often become the most contested...