bronx high net worth lawyers
Last Updated on
As skilled and experienced family attorneys, we have experience handling high net worth cases in the Bronx and throughout New York. High asset cases are uniquely challenging. Our clients often have many different special things to consider as they advocate for the best possible outcome in court. We help each client aggressively pursue their best interests under New York law with professional, competent and understanding services.
Valuing assets
High net worth cases often create unique challenges in that the parties often disagree as to the value of marital assets. The parties might have an expensive home that leaves a lot of room for debate about the home’s worth. One party might own a business that needs a value in order to determine a fair division of assets. The parties might have unique collections of personal property that have significant value. Determining the proper value of these assets is important for both division of property and alimony.
Our team works with our clients in order to accurately value these assets. The party that wants the court to value the asset at a certain amount has the burden of proving the asset’s worth. We work with expert appraisers and accountants in order to prepare evidence about the value of assets.
Identifying assets
In addition to placing a value on assets, your bronx high net worth attorney can help you identify assets that the other side might be trying to hide. Parties often transfer titles and even financial accounts to friends and family members in an effort to hide them from their spouse during a divorce. The courts take this behavior seriously.
We have ways to identify assets that might be hidden. We demand personal and business records. We can use forensic accountants to identify income. In some cases, we team with private investigators. Once we know what assets exist in the case, we can work to value them fairly.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
You might think that because a bronx divorce case is a high net worth case, it’s automatically going to end up going to trial. That isn’t necessarily the case. The truth is that most divorce cases settle before trial even in cases where the parties have significant assets.
To help settle the case, you might consider using an alternative dispute resolution service like mediation. In mediation, you work with a trained professional who helps you narrow the issues and negotiate with the other party. You don’t have to enter into a settlement unless you’re happy with it. This can be an effective tool to help you reach a resolution to your case. However, it’s not appropriate or advantageous in every case, so it’s important to work with us in order to determine the best plan in your case.
Prenuptial agreements
Not all of our bronx high net worth law cases are divorce actions. We often meet clients who want assistance preparing a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement can help the parties define how current assets and potential future assets might be divisible in the event of a divorce. You can use a prenuptial agreement in order to define what counts as separate property. The parties can also make an agreement about spousal support in the event of a divorce.
It’s important to work with a Bronx high net worth attorney in order to make sure that your prenuptial agreement is valid. Both parties need to make a full disclosure of their assets. You need separate attorneys, and each of you must sign the agreement of your own free will. A prenuptial agreement can never decide child custody or a child’s right to support.
A postnuptial agreement is a lot like a prenuptial agreement. However, a postnuptial agreement occurs after the parties are already married. The agreement can address property divisions and spousal support. It must be fair to both parties, and each spouse should have their own attorney in order for the court to uphold the agreement.
Child support and alimony are two separate issues. The courts usually use a mathematical formula to determine child support. However, the courts have more discretion in high-income cases. In these cases, properly determining the income of the parties can be critical to arriving at a fair amount. In addition, it’s important to clearly ask the court to fashion the order you want as it relates to health insurance coverage and educational expenses for the minor child.
Why work with us
When you work with our team of experienced bronx high net worth attorneys, we’re prepared to put our experience to work in order to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome in your case. Our work is detail oriented but also narrowly tailored to be cost-effective and efficient. If you’re facing a legal matter in the bronx or anywhere in New York, we invite you to contact us.