Beverly Hills Executive Divorce Lawyer

Executive Divorce Attorney in Beverly Hills, CA

During a typical divorce, spouses inventory their assets and debts, lay out their terms for property division, and either come to an agreement cooperatively or with the help of the court. For high-net-worth individuals, this process can become more complicated. A Beverly Hills executive divorce lawyer can help C-suite executives, company founders, and other high-net-worth parties access the representation they need.

What Is an Executive Divorce?

Also known as a high-net-worth divorce, an executive divorce is one in which the parties involved have high-value assets. These proceedings involve a spouse or spouses who hold C-suite level or other high-ranking positions in companies. Many of the parties involved in these cases have stock options, deferred bonuses, and equity, making it difficult to determine the accurate value of each spouse’s assets.

Executive divorces can present unique challenges when it comes time to determine who gets what. For example, the value of an asset might be tied to expected future performance. If the value of a stock drops significantly after separation but before the divorce order is finalized, questions arise over whether that loss should be shared. Similarly, issues of double-dipping can arise when income tied to bonuses or stock is split as marital property and then also considered for child or spousal support.

How California’s Community Property Laws Affect Executive Divorces

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the national divorce rate is 2.4 per 1,000 people. Without a prenuptial agreement stating otherwise, California considers most assets acquired during a marriage to be community property, which means they should be split equally. However, things get a bit tricky when a person’s net worth is tied to deferred compensation and other financial instruments. Assets that California’s community property laws can affect in an executive divorce include: 

• Deferred compensation plans
• Performance-based bonuses
• Retirement benefits
• Business interests
• Future earnings tied to past work
• Stocks
• Profit-sharing agreements

When you hire a Beverly Hills executive divorce attorney, they can trace and characterize property to clarify what is separate and what is community property. This process can help you keep what is rightly yours. Beverly Hills divorce matters are generally handled by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, West District.

How an Experienced Executive Divorce Lawyer Can Help

In the U.S., 258,050 people reported being divorced to the Census Bureau. Executive divorce laws are complicated, and simple mistakes can mean you’re losing out on a significant amount of money or assets. Not only do spouses have to contend with the normal aspects of divorce, but they also have to worry about properly evaluating unrealized assets and the high-profile nature of their case. That’s where an experienced executive divorce lawyer comes in.

An attorney, their team, and any professionals needed can help you identify all of your assets, value those that payout in the future, negotiate with your spouse’s legal team, and represent you in court. Additionally, they can draft non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality clauses to protect your privacy while pursuing alternative dispute resolution to settle the case quickly and privately.

About Benefield Faulk Law – Family Law Trial Advocates P.C.

Benefield Faulk Law – Family Law Trial Advocates P.C. is led by Tamara Shari Benefield, a knowledgeable family law litigator with over 15 years of experience handling high-net-worth divorces, child custody cases, and child and spousal support matters. As a former professor at West Los Angeles College of Law, she knows the law inside and out. Recognized by the National Bar Association as one of the “Top 40 Attorneys Under 40,” you can trust her to manage your case effectively.

We can help you understand how the law applies in your case and what your options are moving forward. Our foundational principles of intellectual fortitude, mental determination, and compassion guide us.  Your case can get the attention and dedication it deserves with Benefield Faulk Law – Family Law Trial Advocates P.C.

FAQs

How Are Executive Compensation Packages Handled in a Beverly Hills Divorce?

In California, executive compensation packages are typically treated as community property if they were earned during the marriage, even if they’re to be paid out in the future. Determining the value of these packages is the challenging part. Attorneys often turn to forensic accountants to provide their professional opinions on what executive compensation packages may be worth when they finally vest.

What Challenges Arise When Dividing High-Value Assets in Executive Divorce Cases?

One of the challenges that arises when dividing high-value assets in executive divorce cases is determining the actual value of those assets. For example, a single share of a stock might be worth $100 today, but it could be worth more or less when you sell it in the future. An experienced attorney can turn to professionals who make valuations of this sort for a living.

How Can an Executive Divorce Lawyer Protect Privacy and Confidentiality During Divorce Proceedings?

Executive divorce lawyers protect privacy and confidentiality during divorce proceedings by using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), confidentiality clauses, and alternative dispute resolution methods like arbitration or mediation. This keeps information out of the public record by avoiding court battles. They may also seal personal information, redact documents, and use anonymous captions to promote privacy.

What Strategies Are Used to Resolve High-Net-Worth Executive Divorces Efficiently?

To resolve high-net-worth executive divorces efficiently, attorneys utilize various effective strategies. They often enlist a team of legal and financial professionals to help conduct research and begin valuing the assets. They also prioritize out-of-court resolution methods, such as mediation. They can use confidentiality agreements to protect privacy and asset offsets to avoid forced sales. Ultimately, the strategy may be tailored to the circumstances of the case.

Hire an Executive Divorce Lawyer from Benefield Faulk Law – Family Law Trial Advocates P.C.

It’s never easy to go through a divorce, but it’s even more challenging when you have high-value assets, stocks, executive compensation packages, and other complicated factors at play. You can hire an executive divorce lawyer to help you value your assets, come to a fair division of property, and protect your privacy throughout the process.

Contact Benefield Faulk Law – Family Law Trial Advocates P.C. today to learn more about how we can help you. We know that divorce is an emotionally challenging time, and we approach every case with dedication and compassion. Together, we can build a strategy for an effortless divorce.