High Net Worth Divorce Attorney Near Me

Ending a marriage can be highly emotional, but it also involves making thoughtful financial decisions. Each party should take action to ensure they retain what they deserve so they can face the next chapter of their lives successfully. Verifying how to value and divide assets can be challenging, requiring the guidance of our high net worth divorce attorney near me law firm is crucial.

At S.L. Pitts, our Seattle divorce attorneys are driven and client-focused, working diligently to protect your interests. We can help you determine how to divide businesses, property, and other assets during divorce, while reducing your stress and worry. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you.

Why S.L. Pitts Should Be Your High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer

With multiple factors in play during a complex divorce, you need a team that is driven by excellence to examine the issues and help you reach a satisfactory outcome. Whether the situation is emotionally charged or not, a calm voice of reason from a dedicated legal advocate can make everything go more smoothly. Our Seattle high net worth divorce attorneys near you should be your first choice for these matters.

Whether your divorce case is in King County or elsewhere in Washington, we educate you on the basics of divorce while managing the complicated concerns around investments, business division, and crypto holdings. We can also guide you through making the right decisions for child support, custody, spousal support, and more. If you have a pre-nup or other marital agreement, we review it to assess its effect on your divorce proceedings.

We also help you with forensic accounting if you suspect your spouse has hidden debts or assets. Every case is unique and may take months or years to resolve, yet we will be by your side for every hearing and decision. Our high net worth divorce lawyers near you are dedicated to ensuring you have the resources you need to move forward after your marriage ends.

Criteria for Filing for Divorce in Washington State

One of the first items to address is whether you qualify for divorce in Washington State. There are certain criteria you and your spouse must meet, including:

Your marriage is legal, whether under Washington law, common law, or another country’s law.
At least one of you is a Washington state resident or is in the military and stationed here for a minimum of 90 days after you begin your divorce case.
One or both spouses believe the marriage is irretrievably broken (Washington only recognizes no-fault divorce).
One spouse has filed and served a summons and petition for divorce on the other.

In the case of a simple divorce, you can receive your final decree after at least 90 days have passed since you served the summons and filed your petition. The process may be longer if your spouse contests the divorce. If you have a registered domestic partnership, the process is similar, except you are filing to end the legal partnership.

Can a High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer Near Me Help Divide Community Property?

Asset division is one of the most contentious issues during a divorce, right after child custody and support. Under Washington law, all property and debts acquired during the marriage are considered community property. Most people assume this means everything is divided 50/50, but that is not always the case.

The court will examine many factors to develop what is known as a “just and equitable” division. If one spouse dedicated their time during the marriage to the home and raising children, they may receive more assets in some areas to provide continuity and support for the children. If both spouses contributed equally to a business, but one is now disabled, the court will consider that person’s needs and may decree something other than an equal split.

Our high net worth divorce lawyers near you in Seattle, WA will help you with valuation and inventory to calculate each asset accurately. We can also assist you with demonstrating that an item is separate property and not subject to division. Above all, we are committed to helping you protect your finances during divorce.

Potential Types of Assets During a High Net Worth Divorce in Seattle

Couples who acquire numerous assets during their marriage may be unsure of their worth when it comes time to divorce. It is essential to work with a high net worth divorce attorney who can partner with valuation experts in the appropriate fields. Some common assets that may need appraisal include:

Artwork
Vehicles such as cars, boats, and planes
Watch, jewelry, statuary, and other collections
Businesses, including intellectual property and brands
Real estate, including the marital home, additional homes, timeshares, and land
Retirement accounts, pensions, and severance packages
Investments
Cryptocurrency
Digital assets

These concerns become even more complex when the couple holds property or investments outside Washington state or the U.S. In addition, your lawyer can help you determine potential or existing liability or tax impacts, working for a compromise that minimizes these effects on you.

What if I Have Property From Before the Marriage?

Nearly all property accumulated during a marriage is considered community property, but there are some exceptions. If you owned something prior to marriage, it is considered separate property and yours exclusively. However, if you added your spouse’s name to the title or deed, or they paid the mortgage, taxes, insurance, or other costs, that asset can then be considered community property.

You may also claim separate property if you inherited an asset or money from someone in your name only, or if you received it after you and your spouse separated. You may need to produce documentation proving the item’s provenance, or history of ownership. Finally, if you have a marital agreement stating you will receive certain assets separately during divorce, such as the marital home, this document can affect the community property division.

Washington State Does Not Favor Pre-Nuptial Agreements

In many states, a pre-nup can guarantee that you receive what you deserve if you divorce, but Washington courts often choose to ignore or refuse to enforce prenuptial agreements. They may find that the parties entered the agreement too hastily or that one party was coerced. As such, it is critical to have your attorney review any marital agreements to determine whether they will hold up through the property division portion of the divorce.

Will My High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer Near Me Guide Me Through Child Support Decisions?

Along with custody concerns, many disagreements arise during divorce over the topic of child support. Many high net worth individuals provide substantial support for their children’s interests and education, necessitating appropriate payments to maintain the children’s lifestyle post-divorce. Some children require significant medical or educational expenditures, which cannot be reduced because the parents are no longer together.

Fortunately, the high net worth divorce lawyers near you at S.L. Pitts have many years of experience managing child support matters in complex situations. While Washington law establishes economic guidelines, there are many factors that impact a final child support order, such as:

What each parent earns
Each parent’s earning capacity if they do not work
The length of the marriage
Each child’s educational, medical, and other needs
How much time each child spends with each parent
Whether one parent pays support for children from another relationship
How many children require support

It is vital to remember that child support is not a gift to the other parent, but is intended to provide for the children’s needs. Once established, a child support order can be modified in certain circumstances, such as a substantial change in one parent’s financial circumstances. Parents paying child support must also petition to terminate the support order when the child is old enough, since it does not automatically end when the child reaches 18.

Managing Child Custody with a High Net Worth Divorce Attorney Near Me

Under Washington law, parents establish legal and physical custody for their children through a parenting plan. In many divorce cases, there is a clear choice as to which parent will receive primary physical custody of the children, yet both parents retain the legal ability to make decisions for medical, educational, and religious choices. The court begins by assuming that both parents want joint custody and proceeds according to what each side presents.

Your high net worth divorce attorney near you will help you present any evidence demonstrating variations from this arrangement, such as when one parent is unfit or cannot provide a secure home. In rare instances, such as those involving domestic violence, the court may refuse to allow legal or physical custody, including visitation. Every child custody decision is made with the children’s best interests in mind.

Our child custody lawyers can help you in petitioning the court for emergency protection orders and locating resources to help you escape an abusive spouse. We then guide you through developing child support requests, spousal support requests, and all other aspects of your high net worth divorce. Even when a divorce is amicable, we meticulously examine and protect your rights and those of your children.

Your Attorney Can Help You Determine Whether You Qualify for Spousal Support

Formerly known as alimony, spousal support is common in high net worth divorces when one person dedicated their time and unpaid labor to a business or raising children. In many instances, those individuals do not have the training or skills to enter the workforce after a lengthy marriage ends, and require financial support from the other spouse for a period of time. There are many factors that can affect whether you can seek spousal support, such as:

Your earning capacity and job skills
Your physical and mental health
The length of the marriage
Other sources of income

There is no hard and fast rule about how much you could receive, and courts tend to award this support on a case-by-case basis. You may also be eligible for undifferentiated family support, which mixes spousal and child support. Our high net worth divorce attorney near you will examine your circumstances and help you prepare the appropriate material for your petition to the court.

What Can a High Net Worth Divorce Attorney Do That I Cannot Do for Myself?

You may feel your experience and education allow you to handle a divorce case on your own, or you may worry about whether you can afford a well-qualified attorney. When it comes to complex divorces with multiple assets and concerns, it truly is a case of “you get what you pay for.” Trying to interpret Washington divorce law without professional help can be disastrous.

At S.L. Pitts, we understand financial concerns and work to minimize your costs, while never sacrificing quality in our work. We keep you updated on our progress, informing you of suggested actions so you can make the decisions in your case. Ultimately, we are committed to a speedy resolution to your divorce that provides for your children’s best interests, as well as your own.

We understand the law and can calmly negotiate with your spouse’s attorney to reach a compromise that works for everyone. We help you take the emotion out of the conversation, ensure your property is correctly valued, and help you identify any hidden assets. The process of divorce is akin to a full-time job, and we help you reduce the burden so you can focus on handling the emotions and logistics of this dramatic life change.

Contact Our Seattle High Net Worth Divorce Attorney Near Me Law Firm

Untangling the complex emotions and financial concerns during a high net worth divorce can be overwhelming without skilled, compassionate guidance. Instead of going it alone and risking your future, contact a high net worth divorce attorney near you at S.L. Pitts. We are focused on identifying what matters most to you and building a successful resolution. We put your interests and concerns first, negotiating a satisfactory compromise for all parties.

We will be beside you throughout the journey, no matter how difficult it is or how long it takes. By collaborating with specialists, we can ensure you have the parenting plan, asset division, and spousal support you need. Contact us to arrange a consultation with a qualified complex divorce attorney in Seattle, WA from S.L. Pitts today.