Texas Property Division Lawyer Dedicated To Protecting Your Complex Assets
Dividing marital property and community debt can be one of the most complicated parts of divorce. Your lawyer must be up to the challenge of accurately identifying marital property, establishing the value of these assets and, most importantly, creating an equitable division of the property.
Attorney Lisa A. Vance has significant experience helping people with substantial assets protect their rights in their divorce. Call 210-265-6277 now to schedule a confidential consultation.
Developing A Complex Asset Strategy In A Community Property State
Texas is a community property state. This means that all marital property that was acquired and/or altered during your marriage may be divided evenly between divorcing spouses. For people with substantial assets, this can include vacation homes, rental properties, stock options, bonds, property acquired through commercial transactions, closely held businesses and small-business valuations, retirement plans, pensions, 401(k)s, and other qualified retirement accounts.
We help our clients deal with unique matters revolving around complex property divisions such as:
- Identifying marital property
- Solving valuation problems for closely held or family-owned business assets
- Enforcing the terms of a premarital agreement
- Locating and valuating hidden assets when necessary.
In addition to our own extensive knowledge of handling complex property matters such as these, we will collaborate with experts, including forensic accountants and business evaluators, to ensure that your property will be fairly divided.
At The Law Office of Lisa A. Vance, P.C., our San Antonio high-asset divorce lawyers recognize the anxiety you are feeling about potentially losing property and assets that mean a lot to you. Our goal is to ensure your assets are assessed properly and divided fairly, helping you start a new chapter of your life with peace of mind.
Dividing Assets Without Going To Court
Despite their portrayal on television and movies, divorce cases are rarely litigated. Attorney Vance and her team are often able to leverage their reputation as fierce litigators to bring the other side to the table and hammer out an equitable property division agreement through mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. We are ready to do whatever your situation calls for, whether it is reaching a mutual agreement through negotiations or advocating before a judge in trial.
Although community property states like Texas require an even 50/50 division of property and assets, there is considerable room for negotiation to ensure that the overall division is equal. If you have complex assets you wish to retain, our attorney can help you propose options such as:
- Offering your primary home to your ex-spouse in exchange for retaining your full pension
- Renegotiating your stake in your business in exchange for other assets to preserve your ownership of the company
- Offering a secondary or vacation home as an asset to offset your retention of stock options or bonds in your name only
While our law team is prepared to negotiate aggressively on your behalf, we can support you in negotiated settlements conducted in a more amicable atmosphere, including those conducted in collaborative law settings. You can take heart in knowing our attorneys will take whatever steps necessary to accomplish your goals in the manner that you prefer.
Answers To Common Questions About Complex Property Division
Does an uncontested divorce mean everything is split 50/50?
Not necessarily. In community property states like Texas, everything purchased between the date of the wedding and the date of the divorce is considered marital property, regardless of who bought it, unless it can be proven to be separate property.
An uncontested divorce, on the other hand, means that both parties to the marriage agree on everything in the divorce agreement, including child support, child custody and the distribution of assets. If you and your ex can agree on a division of property that you feel is fair to both of you, it does not have to be an even 50/50 split.
What do I do if my ex is hiding money from me?
If you believe that your ex is hiding or misrepresenting the value of assets or property, notify your divorce attorney immediately. Asset valuation can influence everything from child support to property division. At our firm, our legal team will connect with forensic accounting experts, and other professionals to document this illegal and unethical behavior.
What is considered an “asset” in divorce?
Almost anything of value that you or your spouse acquired during your marriage – real estate, savings accounts or contributions to a retirement account – is considered an “asset.”
Is everything I own subject to property division?
No. As we’ve noted, marital property is defined as all assets or property acquired during the marriage, regardless of title or who paid for it. The property you brought into the marriage – as well as gifts, inheritances or personal injury settlements in your name that were received after your marriage – is your separate property and not subject to property division.
Discuss Your Complex Asset Concerns With A San Antonio Property Division Lawyer
Do not stress over complex asset division questions. Call our office in San Antonio at 210-265-6277 or email us to schedule a confidential consultation about your needs. Spanish translation services are available upon request.