Carlsbad High Asset
Divorce Attorneys

High Asset Divorce Cases – Complex Divorces in Carlsbad, CA

High-asset divorces in Carlsbad often involve many issues not seen in your average divorce. Carlsbad divorce cases require specialized legal expertise and a dedicated legal team to navigate the complexities unique to this area. On this page, we will detail some of the most common issues seen in high-asset divorces that are uncommon to other divorce cases. Carlsbad divorce lawyers at Griffith Young are recognized for their legal specialization in high asset divorce cases, providing strategic representation for clients facing complex property division and financial matters. If you are considering ending a marriage of high net worth, consult with our team at Griffith Young about your options.

For California divorce matters, it is crucial to consult experienced divorce attorneys and high asset divorce attorneys to protect your interests.

Call us at 858-345-1720 or contact us via our online form.

High Net Worth Income & Child / Spousal Support in Carlsbad

High-asset divorce cases generally involve high-income individuals. Much of the time, the party with greater earning ability (the one who will be paying child and/or spousal support and child support) is self-employed and financially savvy. More often than not, when the higher earner discovers the level of financial support that he or she may have to pay, they will attempt to limit their exposure by paying support with creative accounting.

It is the job of a skilled high net worth divorce lawyer to get a clear picture of the higher-earning party’s true income so support orders can be made that reflect the actual circumstances of the parties. This process often involves employing the discovery process to seek and obtain the documents and information necessary to prove the income level. Resolving support issues and developing parenting plans through mediation or negotiation is often in the best interest of all parties, as it can save time, reduce conflict, and protect important personal and financial matters.

Parenting plans are also an important part of high-asset divorce cases involving children.

Carlsbad High Asset Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Although prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly common in all marriages, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are more often seen in high-asset cases for obvious reasons.

Separate Property Claims

In cases where parties enter into a marriage with substantial pre-marital wealth, the longer the marriage, the greater the likelihood that the separate wealth brought into the marriage will be mixed (commingled) with assets acquired during the marriage. Commingling can happen in a variety of ways and can often become a nightmare in the event of a divorce for the party seeking separate property credit to prove the claim.

The starting legal presumption is that every asset acquired during the marriage is community property subject to a 50/50 division. Debt acquired during the marriage or a registered domestic partnership is also considered community property and must be divided between the parties. It is the affirmative burden of the party claiming a separate property right to trace the separate property out of the property acquired during the marriage. We also see separate property claims involving substantial gifts from relatives, as well as inheritances. Under California law, property and debt acquired during a domestic partnership are treated similarly to those acquired during marriage.

Valuation and Division of Business Interests in High Net Worth Divorces

We see many high-asset divorce cases that involve valuable business interests (both community and separate). Business ownership, whether a spouse owns a business solely or jointly, can significantly impact asset division. Whether it be a small, closely held business, minority interest in a partnership, or ownership of a professional practice, the valuation, determination, and division of the community interest in a business, if mishandled, can result in gross inequity to the party on the losing end.

In addition to business interests, multiple properties, retirement accounts, and other high value assets often require professional evaluations to ensure fair and accurate division. Working with an experienced attorney is crucial, as they can coordinate with financial and valuation experts to properly assess business ownership, real estate, and other complex assets.

If you own a valuable business and are looking at the possibility of divorce, you need competent representation and good, sound, honest legal counsel. handles our litigated high-asset cases and has had great success both in and out of the courtroom for his high-asset divorce clients.

Proper planning during divorce can also help protect your interests in future legal marital disputes.

Hidden Assets and Divorce

In high asset divorces, the issue of hidden assets can significantly complicate the divorce process and jeopardize a fair outcome. California is a community property state, which means that all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally considered community property and subject to equal division. However, in some high asset divorce cases, one spouse may attempt to hide assets in order to protect their own financial interests or to gain an unfair advantage during property division and spousal support negotiations.

Hidden assets can take many forms, including:

• Undisclosed bank accounts
• Unreported income
• Concealed investments
• Hidden real estate holdings
• Undervalued business interests
• Debts acquired without the other spouse’s knowledge

In San Diego County, where high net worth divorces are common, these tactics can have a major impact on the final property settlement and the overall marital estate.

The Importance of Expert Legal Support in Uncovering Hidden Assets

Uncovering hidden assets requires a deep understanding of California’s family laws and the complexities of high asset divorce. An experienced family law attorney will often collaborate with forensic accountants, real estate appraisers, and other financial professionals to thoroughly investigate financial records, analyze tax returns, and track down any discrepancies. This comprehensive approach ensures that all marital assets—whether community property or separate property—are properly identified and valued.

If a spouse is found to have attempted to hide assets, the court may impose serious penalties, including awarding a larger share of the marital assets to the other spouse. In some cases, the court may also consider the act of hiding assets when determining spousal support or even child custody arrangements, as it reflects on the honesty and integrity of the parties involved.

Working with a reputable family law firm focused on high asset divorce is essential to protect your financial future. Certified family law specialists in San Diego and Carlsbad have the expertise and resources to uncover hidden assets, safeguard your interests, and ensure a fair and equitable division of property. If you suspect that your spouse may be concealing assets, consult with a skilled divorce attorney who can help you gain access to the information you need and advocate for your best interests throughout the legal proceedings.

We Can Help You Protect What’s Yours. Call for a Consultation With A High-Asset Divorce Attorney.

Many high-net-worth divorce lawyers see nothing but dollar signs when a wealthy potential client walks in the door. We see more value in providing honest and efficient representation and earning our money from happy and satisfied client referrals. Our firm has extensive experience handling complex family law cases and family law matters, including those involving same sex couples, ensuring that every client receives knowledgeable and inclusive support.

If you are looking to protect your assets in divorce and you want a team that cares more about your well-being than the money they will make from your case, Griffith Young is the perfect fit. We pride ourselves on providing honest, client-centered divorce legal services to our clients in Carlsbad, and high net worth cases are no different. Divorce is not just a legal matter, but also a significant life event that requires compassionate legal support.

Contact a Carlsbad high net worth divorce lawyer at our office. Submit an online contact form or call us at 858-345-1720! We serve North County and all of San Diego County.