Del Mar High Asset Divorce Lawyer

Del Mar High Asset Divorce Attorney

When couples get married, they rarely think about the potential of one day divorcing. Divorce can be challenging for any couple, but particularly for spouses with high-value assets or expansive estates. A Del Mar high asset divorce lawyer with experience handling these types of cases can make the difference in your case’s outcome. Even when cases begin with positive intentions of an amicable separation, this can often turn contentious quickly.

Hire a High Asset Divorce Lawyer

When facing a divorce, you don’t have to go through it alone. Since 1995, Andy Cook Law has focused on helping California residents and their families seek bright futures after experiencing challenging family law cases.

Attorney Cook is a Certified Family Law Specialist, recognized by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. This certification is awarded to select family law attorneys in California who are highly skilled in their field and have practiced for a minimum of five years.

Our firm offers free case evaluations to residents of Del Mar and the surrounding areas in California.

California High Asset Divorce Laws

In 2023, the divorce rate in the United States was 2.4 divorces per 1,000 people. To start a divorce in California, there are residency requirements that must be met beforehand. These include that at least one spouse has lived:

• In California for over six months
• In San Diego County for over three months

Before filing, you should hire a high-asset divorce lawyer to explain the right legal options for you. You can then work together to file your divorce case at the appropriate court. Divorces in Del Mar are often handled by the North County Regional Center, located at 325 South Melrose Drive in Vista.

Once your case is filed, you and your spouse, along with your legal counsel, can work together to resolve your divorce issues, such as:

• How to divide your property
• Alimony/Spousal Support
• Child custody and support, if applicable

Property Division in a High-Asset Divorce Case

High-asset divorce cases often find the most contention in the separation of property. With the exceeding value of the property, there is a likelihood that both parties will want to have a claim to it. The property considered during a California divorce may include:

• Income. The average income for men living in Del Mar in 2024 was $146,250. The average income for women was $106,618.
• Bank accounts, cryptocurrency, and cash
• Real estate. In 2024, the average home value in Del Mar was $2 million.
• Business interests
• Investments
• Retirement accounts
• Debt
• Collectibles
• Pets
• Vehicles
• Other physical belongings

Any property acquired during marriage by either spouse is considered community property. The court splits this property 50/50 between spouses, unless a couple has a legally valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement or can agree on an alternative privately or during court.

Property gained before marriage is typically not divided during divorce, unless it has been mixed with community property. For instance, if you have a savings account acquired before the marriage, and then use it to buy a car during marriage, that money typically becomes subject to division during divorce proceedings.

High-Asset Divorce Settlement Support

While the divorce process could work through alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration or mediation, there is a likelihood that your high-asset divorce may result in litigation in front of a judge. An attorney with experience in these types of divorces knows how to prepare for this and will support your interests throughout the process. Evaluating your specific needs will allow them to develop a representation strategy that builds your confidence.

No matter what method is used to resolve the matter, the role of your attorney is to present your case and your right to assets, child custody, spousal support, and to help reach a fair settlement that allows you to take a positive step forward after the final divorce settlement is issued.

FAQs

How Are Assets Valued During a California Divorce Case?

During a California divorce case, assets are valued by financial professionals to determine the monetary value of a couple’s estate. This allows the spouses and the court to have a complete understanding of the assets involved in the divorce, which can then be divided fairly based on the couple’s wishes or equally, according to California law. Your attorney can work with these professionals to help you stay legally compliant by disclosing your full financial situation.

How Can a Del Mar High Asset Divorce Attorney Help Me?

A Del Mar high asset divorce attorney can help you during every stage of your divorce case. They can explain your rights and create a legal custom strategy for your unique needs. They will help you gather relevant evidence and documents, represent you during mediation and negotiations, and advocate on your behalf during a potential trial. Having an attorney provides you with an additional necessary layer of protection, especially when your spouse is likely to have their own legal counsel.

How Is Spousal Support Determined in a California Divorce?

Spousal support is determined in a California divorce by the court reviewing the couple’s unique situation. They look at the age and health of both spouses, the length of the marriage, the lifestyle upheld during the marriage, the earning ability of each spouse, the financial and physical contributions each spouse made during the marriage, the financial needs and obligations of both spouses, and potential tax consequences. The goal of alimony is to help the receiving spouse become financially independent.

Can an Alimony Order Be Modified in California?

In California, an alimony order can generally be modified after it has been issued, unless the divorcing couple has agreed in writing that the order cannot be changed or ended once finalized. A modification is typically requested when one spouse has a significant change in circumstances, such as an increase or decrease in income, losing their job, or having a new child. However, even if you request a modification to the support order, the court can’t modify outstanding support payments.

Del Mar High Asset Divorce Lawyer

Take the first step in your divorce case by finding a lawyer who’s right for you. Contact our office in San Diego today to schedule a confidential meeting with one of the team members at Andy Cook Law. We offer free consultations to residents of Del Mar and surrounding California cities.