Preparation is key to protecting yourself in a high-asset divorce
No doubt, divorce is not pretty. It is emotionally draining and becomes even more so when couples begin the process of figuring out who gets what. The anger and emotion get kicked into high gear if the couple can’t agree on property division, alimony, who gets the house and that painting you both spent a fortune on during your honeymoon.
For couples dealing with extensive (and expensive) assets, this process is even more elaborate. The key to surviving a high asset divorce is to use your head instead of your heart and be smart about what you want and what you are willing to compromise on. Anger, jealousy and resentment only lengthen this painful process. For same-sex couples, who are not married, the process can be even dicier. The key is to keep your cool, do your homework and know the law.
Do
- sift through records, photos and receipts to verify assets
- collect and keep track of attorney bills
- beware of cheaters
- take your half
Don't
- assume you’ll get spousal support
- have your heart set on the home in Hawaii
- turn a blind eye to his gambling (or her shoe collection)
- think you can avoid alimony payments
Do sift through records, photos and receipts to verify assets
Buy the Mercedes before you were married? Do you have the documents to prove it? These are the questions you’ll be asked as you gather evidence for this portion of the divorce. You’ll be asked to verify separate property, income, and inheritance or family gifts. Examples include: wills, trusts, financial statements, banking information, brokerage statements, loan documents, credit card statements, deeds to real property, car registrations, insurance inventories, tax returns, loan applications, and insurance policies.
Do collect and keep track of attorney bills
A high-asset divorce can be costly. Keep track of the costs because it will ultimately be a part of the final total when the divorce is settled.
Do beware of cheaters
I’m not talking about infidelity; I’m talking about parties who try to hide assets. If your spouse has a 10 carat diamond necklace that is suddenly “missing”, keep track of this discrepancy and try to find documents or photos of its existence. It is common for divorcing spouses to hide assets; make sure you document and even take photos of valuables around the house—jewelry, art, cars, boats, etc.
Do take your half
You are entitled to half of everything acquired during your marriage. So, when it comes time to split items up, don’t pass up an asset because you don’t like it. For example, if you always hated his Harley motorcycle, don’t pass it up if he’s willing to part with it. Consider selling the motorcycle and the money it would provide. Divorce is essentially a business transaction. Be smart and consider your bottom line not your anger or emotion.
If there is something you do want, like jewelry or property, you can potentially trade items to get what you want.
Do not assume you’ll get spousal support
Spousal support is financial assistance that recognizes a partner's contribution to the marriage and helps the recipient achieve financial independence. Alimony is available only to those who were legally married; and, rules vary by state. The court will award financial assistance based on factors such as the duration of the marriage, each person's earning capacity, contribution to household or career, and physical health of the recipient. Spousal support is never guaranteed and in many cases, is difficult to obtain.
There may also be specific guidelines in the prenuptial agreement about spousal support. Be sure to understand and agree to those terms. This is especially important for same-sex couples who were not legally married.
Do not have your heart set on the home in Hawaii
Whether it’s the home in Hawaii or the yacht parked in Miami, don’t assume these items will not be sold as part of the divorce. For example, two incomes may have made the Hawaii house possible. So, even if you get it in the settlement, can you afford the mortgage and the taxes? Same with the yacht. It’s not enjoyable if the docking fees and maintenance are too much for you to afford. It’s simply a sad but true reality of divorce that lifestyle changes are unavoidable and even more evident when both parties earned substantial salaries.
Do not turn a blind eye to his gambling (or her shoe collection)
Hidden debt is a common surprise among divorcing couples. In the nine states with community property laws—Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin—you’ll be held responsible for half your spouse’s debt, even if it’s not in your name. You may also run into trouble in a non–community property state if you and your spouse hold credit cards or loans jointly. Get a full credit report to make sure there are no surprises on it.
Do not think you can avoid alimony payments
You will likely have to pay alimony if you are the breadwinner of the marriage/family. The payment could be a lump sum or regular checks.
The key to alimony is understanding the term “the standard of living of the marriage.” It is how the law determines if you are entitled to alimony and if so, how much. The basic idea behind alimony is that when your marriage ends, you both should be able to go on living as you were before the divorce. If you make all or most of the money, you would probably have to share that income with your spouse.
Summary
A high-asset divorce can be very difficult or bearable. Your experience will depend on your mindset and preparation. Understanding the financial obligations expected of you during and after the divorce proceedings helps you keep sensible expectations. Make a plan for the assets you want to keep. Be flexible. And, finally, don’t let anger, greed or resentment cloud your judgment. It could cost you more in the end.
