Los Angeles High-Net-Worth Divorce Lawyers

High-net-worth Divorces involving substantial wealth bring a unique set of legal, financial, and emotional challenges. From dividing real estate portfolios and investment accounts to negotiating spousal support and protecting business interests, high-net-worth divorces often require specialized strategies and expert-level representation.

At The Sands Law Group, APLC, our Los Angeles high-net-worth divorce attorneys understand the complexities that come with dissolving a financially intricate marriage. We offer sophisticated legal solutions designed to protect your assets, preserve your privacy, and position you for long-term financial stability.

Unlike standard divorces, high-asset cases may involve:

• Complex property division, including real estate holdings, retirement accounts, business valuations, and stock options
• Disputes over pre- or postnuptial agreements
• Hidden or undisclosed assets requiring forensic accounting
• Tax implications tied to asset distribution
• Customized child custody and support plans tailored to affluent lifestyles

These complexities can increase the time, cost, and emotional strain of a divorce—but with experienced legal guidance, they don’t have to. Our attorneys provide a proactive, personalized approach that minimizes conflict, streamlines negotiations, and ensures that your financial future is safeguarded.

If you’re facing a high-net-worth divorce in Los Angeles, trust The Sands Law Group, APLC to guide you with precision, discretion, and a results-driven focus.

With high-net-worth divorces, considerable assets are at stake. California’s community property laws mean that property acquired during the marriage by either spouse is presumed to be owned by each spouse equally.

However, many such divorces also involve considerable assets brought into the marriage—often amounting to many millions of dollars. These are not subject to division and it is essential to protect these assets from being placed in the community “pot” while seeking tax-effective solutions that avoid unnecessary outlay for the property owner(s).

Typically, assets for consideration in a high-net-worth divorce could include:

• Business or shared business assets
• Securities accounts
• Offshore holdings
• Real estate holdings
• Executive bonuses
• Antique, vehicle, jewelry, or art collections
• Insurance policies
• Retirement and pension holdings

At The Sands Law Group APLC, we will protect your legal rights and assets, helping to identify and value your property to preserve your wealth after your marriage ends. We accomplish this through negotiation and collaboration wherever possible but, if that fails, we can turn to mediation, arbitration or even litigation.

A high-net-worth divorce involves at least one high-earning spouse and/or property usually valued at over a million dollars—in many cases, the total assets exceed several million dollars.

The presence of multiple types of assets and investments can make these divorces challenging when it comes to unraveling the finances and reaching an acceptable separation agreement.

Because of the higher stakes involved, high-net-worth divorces may also be more contentious than divorces with fewer assets—though that is not always the case. If heightened levels of conflict are involved, it can complicate agreements and make negotiations and collaboration more difficult.

Seeking specialist and experienced legal advice to protect your interests and prevent costly litigation is essential at such times.

Under California’s community property laws, all assets deemed marital property are divided evenly between the spouses.

This can vary. In fact, couples can divide property any way they like if they agree on the division. Sometimes, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement details what will happen to assets upon divorce.

Often, couples cannot agree on valuations or whether the property should be considered part of the marital estate—leading to disputes. “Hidden” or undisclosed assets can further complicate matters.

If litigation is required, a judge may need to decide how assets are divided based on the identification and valuation of all the assets accumulated during the marriage.

Separate property is not subject to division after spouses separate and divorce in California. This includes any real or personal property owned by either spouse before the marriage AND a few other types of assets.

For instance, the following assets accumulated during the marriage may also be considered “separate” property:

• Assets acquired by gift or inheritance.
• Income or appreciation derived from those assets.
• Compensation from personal injury claims caused by a spouse.
• Property designated as separate property in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

Any assets and debts acquired after separation are considered separate property.

In some high-net-worth divorces, separate property is mixed with community property. Unraveling this can be extremely complex for anyone without the necessary legal or financial training.

Sometimes, too, forensic accountants are required to trace the origins of funds used to purchase assets to determine whether the asset is separate or community property. This can increase the costs associated with high-net-worth divorces.

A properly executed prenuptial agreement can affect a high-net-worth divorce in the following ways:

• Dictate what is community and separate property (how property is divided).
• Decide spousal support amounts and durations.
• Decide child support payments (must be in line with the Child Support Guidelines to be valid).

Sometimes, the validity of prenuptial (or postnuptial) agreements is challenged by spouses in court, leading to complex legal proceedings.

One of the complexities often involved in high-net-worth divorces in Los Angeles is the calculation of child support—with wide disparities in wealth between the spouses to consider in some cases.

Californian courts adhere to standard child support guidelines with a wide range of potential child support payments possible. Our high-net-worth divorce lawyers can help you and your spouse calculate both child support and spousal support.

As experienced Los Angeles high-net-worth divorce lawyers, we see the same mistakes repeated frequently. Following is a brief rundown of what NOT to do in such divorces:

• Don’t try to hide assets: this can result in sanctions with fees or assets awarded to your spouse—and may prompt the use of forensic accountants, creating extra expense.
• Don’t misidentify assets: some assets that you think are separate property may be considered part of the marital estate. Check with a high-net-worth divorce lawyer before confirming community/separate property and disclosing assets.
• Don’t liquidate your joint bank accounts: limiting your spouse’s access to joint assets can result in sanctions from the court.
• Don’t under or overvalue your assets: you are required by law to disclose assets and list the value of property in your divorce. It’s best to have these assets professionally valued by a qualified lawyer rather than using online resources or guesswork.
• Don’t talk negatively about your ex to your children: attempting to get the children “on your side” by badmouthing your spouse may result in increased hostility and extra expense—not to mention the potentially detrimental effects on your children.
• Don’t assume a high-net-worth divorce needs to be contentious: amicable resolutions and agreements are possible with the right legal guidance—often with mediation involved.
• Don’t make early assumptions about your divorce: this can result in disappointment. It’s best to speak with a divorce lawyer, who will assess your unique circumstances before setting expectations about what you may be entitled to.
• Don’t ignore taxation issues in your divorce: seasoned high-net-worth divorce lawyers will factor in the unique tax situation of many high-net-worth individuals.
• Don’t compare your divorce to others: every divorce is different, so it is best to avoid comparisons with others, which can set unreasonable expectations and complicate matters.
• Don’t make emotionally charged decisions: a high-net-worth divorce lawyer can help you remain calm and make rational decisions that serve your best interests.

When significant assets, business interests, or complex financial portfolios are involved, choosing the right legal representation is critical. At The Sands Law Group, APLC, our experienced high-net-worth divorce lawyers in Los Angeles provide the legal skill, strategic insight, and financial discretion required to protect your future.

We understand that no two high-asset divorces are alike. Whether you’re dealing with investment properties, ownership in a closely held business, complex spousal support claims, or contested child custody arrangements, our legal team will work tirelessly to secure a favorable and efficient resolution tailored to your goals.

With deep knowledge of California’s community property laws and a personalized approach to negotiation and litigation, we help you navigate even the most complex divorce matters with confidence.

Call (213) 788-4412 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation with a trusted Los Angeles high-net-worth divorce attorney today. Your financial security and peace of mind are our priority.