Naperville, IL High Asset Divorce Lawyers

Skilled High Asset Divorce Attorneys for Clients in Naperville, Illinois

When a couple with a high net worth goes through a divorce, the legal proceedings can be quite complex. If you rush through the process, you risk a less-than-ideal outcome. When you have substantial assets on the line, the best thing you can do is to seek out experienced legal representation to guide you through your divorce.

At Fay & Farrow, our Naperville high net worth divorce lawyers have decades of experience handling complex cases on behalf of our clients. As you can see in our testimonials, we have garnered a reputation for knowledgeable counsel and representation, so you can trust our firm to help protect your assets in your divorce.

Valuable Assets in a Naperville Divorce

High net worth divorces often involve a range of sophisticated assets that require careful valuation and division. Real estate holdings—whether a primary residence, vacation property, or commercial real estate—carry unique challenges, from market fluctuations to mortgage liabilities. Business interests and professional practices demand expert appraisals to separate personal goodwill from corporate value.

Investment portfolios, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, must be analyzed for growth since marriage and any reinvested dividends. Retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, pensions, and IRAs often represent significant marital wealth. Understanding vesting schedules and tax implications is essential.

Other valuable assets might include art collections, antiques, jewelry, classic automobiles, or intellectual property rights. Each asset class carries its own rules for valuation, tax treatment, and transferability.

The Importance of Discovery in a High Asset Divorce

Thorough discovery serves as the foundation for equitable distribution in complex financial cases. High asset divorce cases may require forensic scrutiny of bank statements, brokerage records, tax returns, and business ledgers. Our firm can work with forensic accountants to trace income streams, identify hidden assets, and calculate business valuation metrics such as EBITDA or discounted cash flow.

Depositions provide an opportunity to question both spouses under oath about financial history, business operations, and asset transfers. Document requests and subpoenas can compel third parties such as banks, brokerage firms, and corporate entities to produce records that illuminate the full scope of marital wealth. A well-executed discovery plan prevents one spouse from unfairly retaining assets and ensures the court has complete information to achieve a fair division.

In addition to traditional financial records, attorneys can scrutinize unconventional forms of evidence to uncover marital property. Electronic data like emails and text messages can potentially point to hidden assets. Lifestyle audits may examine luxury purchases, travel expenses, and personal loans to family members.

What Is Asset Dissipation?

Asset dissipation occurs when one spouse wastes marital funds or property in anticipation of divorce. Common tactics include extravagant spending, transferring assets to a family member or offshore account, and forging business expenses. Courts view dissipation as a breach of fiduciary duty and can award a larger share of the remaining assets to the innocent spouse.

Detecting dissipation requires vigilance in discovery. Attorneys look for unusual withdrawals, unsubstantiated business expenses, and ownership transfers shortly before filing. If dissipation is proven, courts may call for the wasted amount to be paid back into the marital estate or adjust property division accordingly. Early detection and prompt legal action can curb further dissipation and protect your financial interests.

Contact a Naperville High Asset Divorce Attorney

At Fay & Farrow, we understand how stressful a high net worth divorce can be. We will hear your concerns and craft a customized strategy to preserve your wealth as you navigate this challenging process. Let us stand by your side and advocate fiercely for the financial future you deserve. Contact our Naperville, IL high asset divorce lawyers or call 630-961-0060 to arrange a complimentary consultation.