What Is Considered a High Asset Divorce in San Diego, CA? 2025

What is considered a high asset divorce in San Diego, CA? In a vibrant city like San Diego, circa 2025, with its soaring real estate values and flourishing startup companies, divorces involving substantial financial holdings and high-profile individuals are more commonplace than you might think. While no divorce is ever easy, divorces among the financially well-off can become especially tedious and bitter ordeals due to contentious disputes over property division and spousal support.

Here at Andy Cook Law, we know a thing or two about high-value divorce because we’ve been handling complex, high-stakes divorces and other types of family law cases across San Diego for the past several decades. Our firm’s focus is entirely on California family law, so we’ve seen firsthand, time and time again, how high-asset divorces bring their own unique set of challenges and considerations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, California actually has one of the lowest divorce rates in the nation, with only 5.88 of every 1,000 residents in 2022. However, Southern California also ranks as one of the most economically active places in the country, calling for care and caution when entering into–and ending–a marriage.

Defining High-Asset Divorce in San Diego, CA

The first thing to understand is that “high asset divorce” is simply a way to describe a divorce involving a couple with significant financial means and is not a term that means anything in particular under California law. A common definition suggests that any divorce that involves dividing over $1 million in liquid marital assets qualifies as a high-asset divorce.

While this simple $1 million threshold works well enough for couples with significant cash in the bank, it doesn’t always hold up to scrutiny in real-world scenarios. For example, it would be hard to argue that a divorce involving $10 million worth of real estate but only $100,000 in “liquid” assets should not be considered a high-asset divorce.

It may make more sense, then, to define “high asset divorce” more generically. In short, any divorce involving couples with significant wealth and property can be considered a high-asset divorce. After all, marital assets are valuable whether they come in the form of cash, jewelry, real estate, or business investments.

While every divorce is different, divorces involving high-value couples tend to fit a certain pattern. Some of the most common features of what we consider high asset divorces in the San Diego, CA area include:

• Multiple real estate holdings
• Business ownership or significant equity in a business
• Expansive investment portfolios using multiple types of financial instruments
• Large retirement or life insurance accounts
• Alternative holdings in stocks or cryptocurrencies
• Valuable personal property (e.g., vehicles, art collections)
• Trust funds and inherited assets

A large percentage of these high-asset divorces will also see a significant disparity between the earnings of one spouse and the other, though this is obviously not always the case. This type of financial imbalance can make a high-asset divorce even more contentious and frustrating, as under California’s 50/50 community property principle, assets earned by either party during the course of the marriage may end up on the negotiating table.

Strategies for High-Asset Divorce

If you have found yourself involved in a divorce that features significant assets, taking the correct legal actions to protect your position is essential. Some key strategies for reaching a satisfactory outcome in a high-asset divorce case include:

• Get Organized – Keep meticulous records related to all bank accounts, mortgages, businesses, tax returns, etc.
• Don’t Escalate Early – Not every high-asset divorce needs to turn into a long and drawn-out court battle. With a smart legal approach, it is possible to reach a fair settlement with your ex, even if you’re not on good terms personally.
• Focus on Realistic Outcomes – Work with your attorney to determine what you can actually achieve and what strategies will be suitable to do so–don’t just fight for what “feels” right during the highly emotional first stages of a divorce.

Navigating a high-asset divorce requires not only strategic planning but also the guidance of an experienced legal professional. For over 29 years, Andy Cook, Esq. of Andy Cook Law has dedicated his practice to providing exceptional legal representation in family law matters. If you are facing a high-asset divorce and need a skilled attorney to protect your interests, contact Andy Cook Law today for a consultation.

FAQs

Getting Divorced in San Diego? We Can Help Protect Your Assets

If you’re trying to manage a complicated financial picture while also undertaking the challenge of divorce, things can get overwhelming fast. Thankfully, you don’t have to manage this difficult and tense situation alone. Andy Cook Law, led by a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), focuses exclusively on family law issues right here in San Diego, including divorces of all types. A CFLS is a unique distinction demonstrating exceptional mastery in family law.

Whether you’re just considering divorce, have been unexpectedly served divorce papers, or are having issues with an ongoing divorce and need additional legal assistance, please contact us today to set up a free and confidential consultation. We also do prenuptial agreements. We can help you protect your rights and your future in addition to safeguarding your hard-earned assets.