To create a fair division of property, it's important to be able to accurately value the marital assets. Division of marital property becomes much more complex when one or both of the spouses is an executive, doctor, lawyer, dentist, accountant, entrepreneur, media figure, athlete or business owner. Our attorneys have extensive experience in business valuation and complex case issues. We relish simplifying the problems that arise in these cases and finding a resolution that satisfies our client.
In complex cases, this can include:
- Business assets, including closely held businesses, corporations, partnerships, proprietorships
- Executive compensations plans
- Retirement accounts, including pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs
- Second homes, and investment properties
- Investment accounts, and mutual funds
- Stock, stock options and bonds
- Bonuses and deferred compensation
- Mineral interests, including oil and gas, minerals and water rights
- Trust funds, offshore accounts and other diverted income
- Tax issues related to income
In family law, there are two types of complex cases and Pollock Begg is uniquely positioned to handle both types efficiently due to our team approach and extensive experience. The first kind is complicated due to valuation issues that require experts, finances that are intermingled or missing, and the need to analyze non-marital assets. These cases typically require thorough discovery, depositions, and pre-trial pleadings. Secondly there are the actions technically referred to as complex cases, which are support cases that require longer than 25 minutes for the hearing. Often these support cases can become small trials of their own due to the amount of information that needs to be presented to the court.
We work well with other attorneys and CPAs to align with the long-term plans for the business or the family disrupted by divorce. We bring an intense willingness to get the case resolved and the ability to look beyond the emotional issues in a case and stay focused on the long-term strategy — keeping our clients on track with their goals.
We have our own cadre of regular experts, which allows us to quickly put together requests for the right types of information for different assets and businesses. These experts help us with the discovery process and the case strategy, as well as the cross-examination of the other side's experts. As always, we seek first to settle, but prepare from the start to fully litigate the case.
Can I still have a collaborative divorce if we have a complex case?
Yes, the main difference with a complex case is that you'll hire more experts. You typically hire them jointly and select experts you both trust to give you solid valuations and advice at a significant savings. See our collaborative law page for more information about the collaborative divorce process.
If you have questions to related areas, such as the ones below, visit our Resources page.