Complex Litigation. Family Law Focus.

High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer

High net worth divorce cases are often substantially more complex and require a great deal more sophisticated lawyering than standard divorce cases, especially when one or more of the following are involved:

  • The wealth involved is related to a business, business interests, or other assets that must be valued.  Valuation is typically based on expert opinions.  Developing a winning case in many instances comes down to a battle of experts.  Selecting, working with, preparing, and presenting the case using the right experts is critical, as well as effectively coordinating with an expert to weaken the persuasiveness of the opposing expert.
  • The financial holdings or history of the parties are so complex that detailed forensic research or tracing is required to determine both the extent of property as well as the character (whether it is community or separate property).
  • The nature of the facts are such that the attorney must be able to spot a wide variety of legal, finance, accounting and tax related issues relative to business entities and ownership, real estate, art and other collections, employee contract and benefit plans, and various other types of properties and interests, and then assemble and manage the best team of experts to prepare and present the case.
  • Assets or investment interests are owned and/or located interstate or internationally.
  • The tax implications of alternative property and debt distribution scenarios must be assessed and known.
  • Significant financial spousal maintenance or risk exposure exists for either party.
  • One or both parties engage in dramatic, combative, and extensive discovery, negotiation, mediation, and/or litigation.

High stakes divorce cases can be dramatic, resource intensive, long, and stressful for both the client and the attorney.  An attorney must have the professional fortitude, experience and adequate resources at his or her disposal, as well as access to top experts in order to effectively represent clients in these cases.  It is particularly true that in high net worth cases, the attorney you select can make all the difference in your case.

Firm partners Jennifer Payseno and David Starks have extensive experience in these types of cases.  Both typically limit their divorce engagements to cases with marital or separate property net worth of $1 million and over, as well as other matters involving complex property or financial issues.  David Starks handles all cases involving significant interstate or international issues.

McKinley Irvin proudly serves Washington State with offices in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Puyallup and Gig Harbor.

For more information about McKinley Irvin, or to contact us about your case, click here.

 

 
McKinley Irvin among The Most Dependable™ Family Law Divorce Attorneys of the West By Goldline Research, as seen in Forbes Magazine, 11/2008 Forbes Magazine          SuperLawyers
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