Savvy Attorney For Complex And High-Asset Divorces
Last updated on April 21, 2025
The decision to end a marriage can be difficult enough, but dividing a lifetime of property and assets is also a challenge. For those with complicated and high-value assets, property division can be one of the most contentious and complicated parts of divorce. Finding a fair settlement that achieves your goals and protects what matters requires a practiced legal hand. Our attorney, Sherri Bono, has spent years helping families with this process. She has helped countless people sort through their property division issues successfully.
Our firm, Bono Legal Group, PLLC, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is well-equipped to assist people searching for solutions in complex divorce proceedings in Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham and throughout the entire metro Detroit area.
Experience With Substantial Marital Estates In Oakland County
Not all lawyers are prepared to help people navigate property division when the stakes are high. Ms. Bono has experience helping clients who possess complex and high-value assets, including:
- Real estate portfolios, including investment properties and/or vacation homes
- Stake in a closely held business or professional association
- Art collections and other valuables
- Stocks portfolios and deferred compensation
- Pensions and qualified retirement plans
Sherri Bono is of counsel to Doerr McWilliams Howard, a business litigation firm. That affiliation enables Bono Legal Group, PLLC to tap into relevant resources for identifying and gauging marital assets. A high-asset divorce may require business valuations, qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) for dividing retirement nest eggs, appraisals of real estate or other possessions, and forensic accounting to discover hidden accounts of transferred assets that are subject to Michigan equitable distribution.
She has regularly managed complex and high-asset property divisions and advocated for fair settlements, no matter how complicated the circumstances. Many of our clients are high-profile in the community and do not want the details of their divorce in the public sphere. She and our staff emphasize discretion and work to keep these proceedings confidential.
How Can An Attorney Help With This Process?
A family law attorney is an invaluable ally in a divorce, especially when there are high assets involved. A divorce attorney like Sherri Bono can help you ensure you receive a fair settlement. She can evaluate your situation, take your goals and needs into account, and advocate for what you want. Ms. Bono can stand up for you and help you protect your interests in court, and in negotiations.
Ms. Bono can also help you prepare for this process. She can help you gather all the necessary documentation, file paperwork correctly, figure out your goals and provide unbiased legal advice during this often emotional experience. Your divorce attorney can also help make sure all your property and assets are accounted for. If you suspect your spouse of hiding assets, accounts or other property, Ms. Bono can help uncover these.
Frequently Asked Questions On High-Asset Divorce
Proper valuation and division of marital assets require legal and financial guidance and strong support to achieve an equitable outcome. Below, attorney Sherri Bono has answered some common questions regarding high-asset divorce in Michigan.
How is a business valued in a high-asset divorce in Michigan?
When one or both spouses own a business, determining its value is crucial for asset division. Business valuation involves one of three methods:
- The income approach: Examines cash flow and profitability
- The market approach: Compares similar businesses
- The asset-based approach: Calculates total assets minus liabilities
Courts rely on forensic accountants or business valuation professionals for an accurate assessment. Additionally, factors such as goodwill, future earnings potential and whether the business was established before or during the marriage can be factored into determining how it will be treated in a Michigan divorce.
What are the unique challenges of dividing investment portfolios in a high-asset divorce?
Investment portfolios include a mix of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and retirement accounts, which may fluctuate in value. One of the biggest challenges is determining an equitable distribution that considers both short-term and long-term tax implications.
Market volatility can impact asset values between the time of valuation and division, making timing a critical factor. Additionally, certain investments may be illiquid or subject to restrictions, requiring careful negotiation to avoid financial penalties.
Working with legal and financial professionals can help ensure assets are divided fairly while minimizing tax consequences.
How can I ensure that all assets are discovered in a high-asset divorce?
Uncovering all marital assets is essential to achieving a fair settlement. Some spouses may attempt to hide or undervalue assets in high-asset divorces. A detailed review of tax returns, bank statements, business records and real estate holdings can help identify undisclosed wealth.
Legal discovery tools, such as depositions and subpoenas, can be used to obtain financial records and compel transparency. Additionally, digital assets, cryptocurrency holdings, offshore accounts and complex business structures should be investigated for full disclosure. Attorney Sherri Bono can help create a comprehensive asset review.
How are stock options and deferred compensation handled in a Michigan high-asset divorce?
Stock options and deferred compensation are significant assets in high-earning households but can be challenging to divide. Michigan courts treat these assets as marital or separate property depending on when they were granted and earned during the marriage.
Valuing stock options requires an analysis of vesting schedules, grant dates and future appreciation potential. Deferred compensation, such as bonuses or pensions, may require structured settlements to help ensure an equitable split. Courts can use division formulas to allocate these assets fairly while considering tax implications and future payouts.
Get The Right Help With Your High Net Worth Divorce
A divorce attorney can help you sort through property division and high-asset divorce more efficiently and effectively. Learn more about what we can do to assist in this process by setting up an initial consultation. Call 248-266-4627 or use the online contact form to get in touch today. From our office in Bloomfield Hills, we help clients in Birmingham, Oakland County and throughout the entire metro Detroit area.