New York City High Asset Divorce Lawyer

When Higher Assets Lead to Fiercer Conflict, You Need Skilled Representation

The more assets you have, the more there is at stake in your divorce, and the more complex it will likely be. While all divorcing couples must make life-altering decisions that affect their children, living arrangements, and finances, those with a high net worth will likely have more substantial financial and tax issues related to their divorce.

If you have a high net worth heading into your divorce, you have more to lose, particularly if you make mistakes during the process.

The high-asset divorce lawyers at The Levoritz Law Firm are well aware of what’s at stake and will leverage their considerable knowledge to get you the best possible outcome in your divorce. We’ll stand beside you, delivering effective guidance at every step.

What Is Considered a High-Asset Divorce in New York?

High-asset divorces generally involve more than $10 million in liquid assets in multiple forms.

When assets are varied and include things like business interests, international investments, inheritances and trusts, retirement accounts and pension plans, real estate, jewelry, and collectibles, it can be difficult to value net liquid assets and categorize them as marital or nonmarital property.

Dividing these valuable assets requires the assistance of an attorney experienced with high-asset cases and adept at properly classifying and pricing assets.

The legal team at The Levoritz Law Firm has significant experience helping those with significant assets negotiate the divorce process. We also work with professionals who specialize in financial investigation, asset appraisals, and accounting.

What Assets Are Divided in a High-Net-Worth Divorce?

Marital property is usually considered to be all property acquired by the parties, individually or jointly, during the marriage, even if the property is in the name of only one spouse.

Common examples of assets that are considered marital property include:

• The couple’s primary home and vacation homes
• Vehicles
• Household furnishings
• Bank and stock accounts
• Antiques and collectibles
• Pensions and retirement plans
• Businesses interests
• Professional degrees and the “enhanced earning capacity” of any degree, license, or certification obtained during the marriage

The courts don’t divide separate property, which is generally anything acquired before marriage and not brought into the estate (such as property owned before marriage). Inherited property, gifts from third parties to one of the parties, and money received from a personal injury or workers' compensation recovery are also examples of separate property.

All such property is generally exempt from equitable distribution. However, certain property may be excluded from the marital estate if you and your spouse have an existing marital agreement, such as a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

What Courts Consider When Making Equitable Distributions in High-Net-Worth Divorces

New York is an equitable distribution state. This means that marital property will be split in a way that the court feels is fair and just.

Courts look at numerous factors to determine how to distribute property, including:

• Each spouse’s income.
• The property acquired during the marriage until the date the divorce was filed.
• The length of the marriage.
• The health and age of each spouse.
• The need for the custodial parent to live in the matrimonial home and own its effects.
• The loss of inheritance rights and pension rights upon dissolution.
• Tax consequences and the future financial circumstances of each spouse.
• Whether the court has already awarded spousal support.
• Whether either of the spouses has transferred any matrimonial property after. contemplating the divorce and without fairly considering the other partner.
• Whether both spouses have equitable claim over the matrimonial property.
• Whether either party has committed domestic violence.

The courts may also address any other factors they deem important, just, or proper.

Why You Need an Attorney for High-Asset Divorce in NYC

When you partner with The Levoritz Law Firm, our attorneys will work vigorously to protect your interests, regardless of the extent of your assets, properties, businesses, and accounts.

Here are some of the specific steps we take to protect our high-asset clients:

• Perform a thorough analysis of how assets and debts were handled during the marriage and seek a favorable and equitable distribution of marital property.
• Come up with a fair evaluation of varied marital assets.
• Examine financial disclosure evidence provided by both spouses to ensure that the information listed in the required affidavits is correct.
• Deal with the complicated tax, benefits, and retirement considerations that arise in high-asset divorces.
• Work with skilled professionals like financial advisors to determine the short and long-term impacts of property distribution.
• Examine, enforce, and challenge the legality of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
• Hire forensic accountants to determine whether one spouse is attempting to hide assets or taking other fraudulent actions.
• Protect clients from becoming financially liable for debts associated with their spouse or their business enterprises.

We believe it’s best to address high-asset property division issues amicably and negotiate settlements outside of court whenever possible. However, we won’t hesitate to represent you in court if necessary. Founding attorney Yoni Levoritz is a highly skilled litigator, having argued many cases at the appellate level.

Why Choose the Levoritz Law Firm for High-Asset Divorce Cases in NYC?

When you find yourself in a high-asset divorce, mistakes can be extremely costly to your future and disruptive to your way of life. Partnering with The Levoritz Law Firm allows you to work with divorce attorneys who can help you see the bigger picture calmly and rationally.

Divorces are hard enough without being weighed down by the added financial stress that comes with the prospect of losing millions of dollars. Count on our attorneys to guide you through all decisions that could impact your current and future finances.

The following are some of the unique benefits our clients receive when they work with us.

• Diplomatic Approach: Recognizing the increased likelihood of contention in high-asset cases, we use diplomacy to manage disputes, aiming to protect our clients' rights while preserving important relationships and minimizing conflict.
• Stress Reduction: We understand the emotional toll divorce proceedings can take. That’s why we make it a priority to reduce the stress and disruption high net-worth clients and their families experience, especially when children are involved.
• Negotiation Skills: We know how to negotiate effectively with the opposing party to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients. We always strive for the best possible results for both our clients and their children.
• Appellate Experience: Our team has significant experience handling cases at the appellate level, indicating a deep understanding of the legal system and the ability to deftly manage complex legal challenges.
• Commitment to Clients: Above all, we’re focused on mitigating the impacts of divorce on our high-asset clients, reflecting a commitment to the well-being and best interests of clients and their families throughout the legal process.

Our balanced approach, which combines compassionate advocacy with diplomacy and skilled negotiation, makes us a prime choice for managing the complexities of high-asset divorce cases in New York City.