Miami-Dade · High-asset divorce
High-Asset Divorce Lawyer in Miami
A financially complex divorce requires a clear picture of what exists, how interests are owned and what a proposed division would mean in practice. A business, several properties or a retirement portfolio can raise questions that a list of account balances will not answer. Work directly with attorney Milagros “Millie” Laguna to identify the financial issues, records and additional analysis your case may require.
Overview
Complexity matters as much as total value
A divorce can require detailed financial work even when much of the apparent wealth is tied up in one asset. A closely held business may support the family but have limited available cash. A property may have been purchased before marriage and later refinanced or improved.
The first task is to understand the history of each significant interest. What was acquired, when was it acquired, how was it funded and what evidence supports the proposed value?
The assets
Businesses, premarital assets, real estate and retirement
Business interests and professional practices
A business can raise separate questions about ownership, value and income. Ownership agreements, tax returns, compensation records and information about business debt are useful starting points. Ask whether the dispute calls for a valuation professional or accountant, what question that professional would answer and what the additional work would cost.
Premarital assets and mixed funds
Property brought into a marriage should be identified with supporting records. The analysis becomes more involved when accounts contain mixed funds, a mortgage is paid during the marriage or an asset changes significantly in value. Avoid assuming that an old purchase date ends the inquiry, or that every asset used by the family must be divided in full.
Real estate, retirement and investments
A settlement involving these assets should address implementation as well as value: a sale, a buyout, financing and a timetable for a property; a plan-specific process or additional order for retirement benefits. Two assets with similar headline values can create different practical options after the divorce.
Financial disclosure
Concerns about missing information
If you believe the financial picture is incomplete, identify the specific gap: an unexplained transfer, missing statement, business payment or account you remember. Concrete questions are more useful than assuming a conclusion before the records are reviewed.
Your attorney can discuss appropriate information requests and other lawful steps. Preserve the information you already have, and do not access another person’s private accounts without authorization.
Evaluate the proposed settlement beyond the total.
Consider whether you can carry out the terms and meet ordinary expenses afterward. A settlement should be assessed for liquidity, debt obligations, timing and the costs of maintaining the assets involved. Tax treatment deserves separate attention from a qualified tax professional before a transfer or sale is agreed.
Discuss a plan for the financial issuesPreparation
Prepare the records that tell the story
For an initial consultation, gather what is reasonably available:
- A list of significant assets and debts, with ownership and approximate values clearly labeled as estimates.
- Recent personal and business tax returns and available income records.
- Account, retirement and investment statements, including older statements relevant to premarital interests.
- Deeds, purchase records, mortgage documents and available appraisals.
- Business ownership documents and financial statements.
- Any prenuptial, postnuptial or proposed settlement agreement.
Tell the attorney which records are missing. You do not need a complete valuation before asking for legal help.
Your attorney
One attorney, start to finish.
Milagros “Millie” Laguna was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1998 and attended the University of Florida’s Fredric G. Levin College of Law.
You work directly with Millie: she is the person you speak with about your documents, your questions and the next step in your case.
Meetings in English or Spanish, by video or in person at Sunset Center in Kendall.
For eligible divorce matters, email and Zoom from documents through final judgment.
Common questions
About high-asset divorce
- Does a high-asset divorce always require a trial?
- No. Financial complexity and disagreement are different issues. Complete information and appropriate analysis may support a negotiated agreement, even where the assets require detailed review.
- Will every asset need an expert valuation?
- Not necessarily. The need depends on the asset, the dispute and the reliability of the information available. Ask what additional analysis would change the decisions in your case.
- Can the case be kept completely private?
- Do not assume that financial litigation or a negotiated settlement guarantees complete privacy. Discuss the handling of sensitive records and any protection that may be available under the applicable rules.
Next step
Discuss a plan for the financial issues.
By video or in person, in English or Spanish. Contacting Laguna Legal does not create an attorney-client relationship.