Division of Property

As an equitable distribution jurisdiction, New York law tends to emphasize fairness under the circumstances over strict equality in marital property division questions. In recent years, however, I’ve seen a growing trend toward an even distribution of marital property, especially in cases where both spouses are employed and have roughly equal earning capacity.

Today’s emphasis on an equal division of marital property puts a premium on the accurate characterization of assets as marital or separate, refined valuation techniques that can stand up to a challenge, and clarity of presentation in both settlement negotiations and contested court hearings. With 25 years of trial experience, my New York asset protection lawyers can handle the difficult problems of proof that often arise in high net worth divorce property settlements.

Whether or not your case can fairly be characterized as a high net worth divorce, special care must be taken if your marital assets include any of the following complex property concerns:

• Family business assets and interest in closely held corporations
• Partnership in a professional practice group and professional licenses
• Substantial inheritances
• Substantial transfers of assets in the period preceding divorce
• Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement terms
• Characterization of an asset as marital or separate property
• Appreciation of separate property during the marriage
• Apportionment of marital debt

My experience with valuation problems and technical characterization issues can help ensure that your marital property will be defined accurately and divided evenly or fairly, depending on the circumstances of your case.

My firm has extensive experience in all areas of property valuation and equitable distribution in divorces involving couples of high net worth, including:

• Appreciation of Separate Property
• Career Valuation
• Commingled Assets and Transmutation
• Delayed Compensation
• Education Valuation
• Hidden Assets
• Investment Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Marital Property
• Overseas Assets
• Pensions, IRA’s and 401k’s
• Property Issues for Non-Married Couples
• Qualified Domestic Relations Orders
• Real Estate Portfolios
• Stock and Bonds
• Tax Shelters
• Trusts

If you are involved in a high net worth divorce, the lawyer you hire to represent your interests will make a significant difference in protecting your financial future. There are several options when it comes to deciding issues of c distribution of assets and debts and other family law issues. Mr. Katz can assist you with a traditional divorce trial, collaborative law divorce and traditoinal mediation. However, Mr. Katz favors mediation, wherein couples meet with a neutral mediator and have the benefit of sound legal advice provided their own lawyers throughout the process. For additional information about my experience with complex marital property division problems, contact the office of Jonathan D. Katz, Attorney at Law in Saugerties.