High-Asset Divorce in San Francisco and the Bay Area

When a marriage involves a business, stock options or other equity compensation, investment real estate or family trusts, a divorce is also a complex financial matter. The decisions made during the case can affect your financial position for decades.

Our attorneys focus on family law and regularly handle divorces involving substantial and complex assets in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma and throughout the Bay Area. Two of our partners are Certified Family Law Specialists.* We work with you to understand what you own, what it is worth and what the law says about how it is divided. Then we build a plan to protect your interests, whether through negotiation, mediation or litigation.

*Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

High-Asset Divorce Issues We Handle

Business Valuation and Professional Practices

We work with valuation experts to determine what a business is worth and how much of that value is community property. This includes medical, dental and law practices, family businesses and start-ups.

Stock Options, RSUs and Equity Compensation

Equity compensation is common in the Bay Area and often hard to divide. We analyze vesting schedules, grant dates and tax effects to determine which portions are community property and how they should be divided or valued.

Real Estate, Vacation Homes and Rental Properties

We address the family home, vacation homes, rental properties and real estate held in LLCs or partnerships, including questions of title, valuation and buyouts.

Separate Property and Tracing

When one spouse brought assets into the marriage, received an inheritance or received a gift, those funds may remain separate property. We work with forensic accountants to trace funds and to establish reimbursement claims.

Trusts

We review revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts and transmutation questions to determine how trust-held assets are treated in the divorce.

Investment and Retirement Accounts

We address brokerage accounts, retirement plans, deferred compensation and the orders needed to divide them.

Child and Spousal Support for High Earners

Support calculations become more complex when income includes bonuses, equity, business income or investment returns. We work to make sure income is fully and accurately identified.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

We review whether existing agreements are enforceable and how they apply. We also draft new agreements for clients who want to plan ahead.

Art Collections and Collectibles

Fine art, antiques, jewelry, wine and other collections are often among the most valuable and most disputed assets in a high-asset divorce. We help clients identify, value and divide them fairly.

• Character of each piece. In California, art acquired during marriage is generally community property. Works bought before marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, may be separate property. We trace purchase records, gift letters and estate documents to establish which is which.

• Valuation. Value depends on the purpose and the market. We work with accredited, independent appraisers who follow professional appraisal standards. We also review insurance schedules and auction estimates, which can differ from fair market value.

• Title and records. Collections are sometimes held in LLCs or trusts, on loan to museums, consigned to galleries or kept in storage. We confirm who owns each piece and make sure every work is disclosed.

• Works created by a spouse. When one spouse is an artist, works and related rights created during the marriage can be community property. We address unsold inventory, copyrights and future income from those works.

• Dividing the collection. Options include dividing pieces between spouses, one spouse buying out the other or selling some or all works. We consider sale costs, taxes and each spouse's attachment to particular pieces.

Our Approach to High-Asset Divorce

We Work with the Right Experts

We regularly work with forensic accountants, business valuation experts, real estate appraisers and tax professionals. We coordinate their work so you receive clear, usable answers.

We Protect Your Privacy

Clients with significant wealth often have reputations, businesses and family relationships to protect. We handle sensitive information carefully. Where appropriate, we use mediation, collaborative divorce or private judging to keep matters out of public court files.

We Are Prepared for Any Path

Many cases can be resolved through negotiation or mediation, which usually costs less and is less disruptive. When settlement is not possible, we are prepared to present your case in court.

We Explain Things Clearly

We tell you what the law says, what your realistic options are and what each option is likely to cost, so you can make informed decisions.

Serving San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma and the Bay Area

We represent clients in San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Sonoma and Napa counties.

If you are considering divorce or have been served with divorce papers, we can help you understand your options. All consultations are confidential.

Call (415) 989-2600 or schedule a confidential consultation.