Divorce is a life-changing event that can have various emotional, legal, and financial problems. When your divorce involves high-value property, the separation may become far more complex. If you are facing a high-asset divorce, a Dublin high-asset divorce lawyer can help you throughout the entire process.
Tierney Law Group has been aiding the Dublin and Greater Bay Area community for years with their divorce cases. Our founder, Kent Tierney, has over two decades of experience working on various family law matters, litigating over one hundred trial cases. At our firm, we value straightforward communication with our clients so you feel confident in what’s to come.
California has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country, with 5.88 divorces per 1,000 women statewide. Although divorce is rarer across the state, separations in Dublin have a higher likelihood of being high-asset divorce cases due to the median household income of $204,946.
California is one of nine states in the country with community property laws. This means that all shared property must be split equally between spouses in a divorce. In addition, most property acquired while married and living together is likely to be considered shared assets. Separate property exempt from the divorce process includes any assets owned before marriage, gifted, or inherited.
All divorce filings in Dublin are submitted through the Superior Court of Alameda County, with the closest branch located in town at 5151 Gleason Drive. You can file the initial petition either online or in person.
In California, divorce is generally classified as high-value or high-asset if the shared property between spouses is worth more than $1 million. This is an unofficial designation, used to signal when the shared asset value makes cases more complicated. Factors that may indicate a high-asset divorce include:
Any divorce may be challenging to go through alone, but the often dense, confusing nature of high-asset separation can be harder. Hire a high-asset divorce lawyer who can be by your side for every step of the process.
High-asset divorces often face additional or more in-depth problems when compared to other divorces. The following are just a few issues that our team of divorce attorneys can assist with:
The large monetary stakes of high-asset divorce mean that spouses are more likely to contest aspects they deem unfair. Our team can advocate for your needs both in and out of Alameda County Court. We can investigate your case, provide evidence, and employ various tactics to present your side of the story. Divorce litigation can be lengthy, but we can be there for you throughout the process.
High-value divorce cases often require careful consideration of taxes. Property transfers and asset changes may result in severe tax consequences or missed deductions if mismanaged. Our team can guide you to a divorce strategy that avoids any unnecessary fines.
Spousal support, or alimony, is a frequent aspect of high-asset separations due to the increased ability for a spouse to pay, and the common imbalance in earning potential between spouses. The total amount may be calculated at a higher rate to maintain the same quality of life the lower-earning spouse had during the marriage. We can help you draft a spousal support agreement that works for you, whether you will be paying or receiving alimony.
In Dublin, CA, assets that are considered separate property cannot be split in a divorce. Community property laws make most property acquired during a marriage jointly owned. However, some property that you owned before getting married or items received through a gift or inheritance may be considered separate property, which is exempt from property division. Your divorce attorney can clarify what belongings are marital assets and what are not.
How much your high-asset divorce lawyer will cost depends on the details of your case and the work hours required. High-asset divorce cases in Dublin tend to require more legal work, therefore costing a larger amount. One large contributing factor to the final bill is the level of cooperation between you and your spouse, with collaborative divorces costing less than contested cases. Speak with a Dublin high-asset divorce attorney to receive an estimate of the total cost.
At the end of lengthy negotiations, you may be concerned as to who will pay for legal fees in your high-asset divorce case. In most cases, each spouse is responsible for their own legal expenses. The court may order one spouse to pay the other’s fees if they cannot afford them, if it would have a large financial impact, or as a sanction for misbehavior.
If you suspect your spouse is hiding assets during the divorce in Dublin, California, you should inform your attorney. They can use forensic accounts to investigate. Both parties are legally required to disclose all assets, both marital and separate, early in the divorce process. This is one of many reasons why experienced legal representation can be crucial in a high-value divorce case.
At Tierney Law Group, we understand how difficult a high-asset divorce can be. Our team has the experience and knowledge to help you through your separation. You don’t have to negotiate or litigate your divorce on your own.
Contact us today for an initial consultation so we can learn your story and begin discussing your divorce options. You may also visit our Pleasanton office, located next to Stoneridge Mall, near the I-580 and I-680 junction.