A number of issues can turn an otherwise simple WA divorce into a complex divorce. Aside from complex child related matters, there are a wide variety of high net worth financial aspects that need to be identified, examined and thoroughly addressed before a resolution can be accomplished.
- Asset valuation including business valuation and professional practices
- Tax and other financial advantages and disadvantages of property division
- Complex spousal and child support matters
- Prenuptial and post-nuptial drafting and enforcement
- Stock options/Deferred Compensation
- Revising estate planning documents
We work with a team of experts, including forensic accountants, to closely examine the financial situation of the parties to determine true representations of current and future income, business values, and tax analyses for child support, spousal maintenance, and property division. Their work is especially important in cases involving privately held businesses or complex compensation packages including deferred compensation and stock options.
Asset valuation including business valuation and professional practices
As a general rule, a Washington state divorce case involving business assets will take longer to resolve. The business is likely to require a valuation to determine the fair market value of the business. If owned prior to marriage, whether it is community, separate, or a mixed character property may also be at issue, and each spouse’s share interest in the business may need to be determined.
Stock Options/Deferred Compensation
Stock options earned as part of employment compensation during a marriage may be subject to property division depending on the grant date, vesting schedule, and other factors. We have substantial experience with valuation, characterization, and property division of incentive stock options (ICOs), and non-qualified stock options such as restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock awards granted by publicly held companies such as Amazon, Costco, and Microsoft.
Deferred compensation in divorce is a particularly complex matter. Unlike retirement plans such as 401-Ks and pensions, many deferred compensation plans do not allow a divorcing spouse to obtain his or her property share directly from the plan. Instead, the spouse has to wait until distributions are made to obtain their share after factoring in income tax liabilities, or other assets must be awarded.
Bo Weintraub is one of Seattle’s best divorce attorneys for complex cases. As a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law’s Masters in Tax program, and having formerly worked as an estate planning attorney for high net-worth clients, he is uniquely qualified to understand the financial and tax complexities inherent in high net worth cases and strategize accordingly and has extensive experience doing so.
Call Weintraub Law Office at (425) 374-4045 or contact us online to request an appointment and learn more about what’s required in a complex high net-worth divorce.
