Business Ownership
Closely-held companies, partnerships, professional practices, or equity stakes requiring valuation.
High Net Worth Divorce
Protecting Your Wealth and Future in Complex Divorce Cases
St. Charles - Edwardsville - O'Fallon - Granite City
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SCHEDULE CONSULTATIONHIGH NET WORTH DIVORCE • COMPLEX ASSETS • BUSINESS OWNERS • MISSOURI + ILLINOIS
High Net Worth Divorce in Missouri & Illinois
When there are significant assets, business interests, executive compensation, or complex retirement accounts involved, divorce becomes a financial strategy case as much as a family law case. At Besserman Law, we help clients protect what they’ve built, uncover what matters, and reach outcomes that hold up in court—without losing sight of children, privacy, and long-term stability.
Educational content only. This page provides general information as of 2026 and is not legal advice. Complex cases require a tailored plan.
What Makes a Divorce “High Net Worth”
It’s not just about the number on a balance sheet. A divorce becomes “high net worth” when the case involves complex assets, higher incomes, business ownership, or financial structures that require specialized valuation and careful strategy.
Executive/Variable Income
Bonuses, commissions, deferred comp, RSUs, stock options, and performance-based pay.
Multiple Properties
Primary residence plus vacation homes, investment real estate, or multi-state holdings.
Complex Retirement
401(k)s, pensions, IRAs, and division issues requiring specialized orders and tax awareness.
Significant Debt Structures
Business debt, lines of credit, real estate leverage, or tax liabilities that must be allocated correctly.
Privacy Concerns
High visibility, public roles, reputational risk, or sensitive financial information.
The defining feature: precision
High net worth outcomes are often decided by valuation, tracing, tax impact, and the quality of documentation—not just “splitting assets.”
What’s at Stake in High Asset Divorce
These cases require a plan that balances financial security, fairness, and family realities. Mistakes can be expensive and sometimes irreversible.
Immediate (short-term) risks
- Asset freezes or “status quo” spending rules
- Temporary support obligations
- Access to business cash flow and accounts
- Protection of confidential information
- Parenting schedule stability
Long-term outcomes
- Division of businesses, equity, and retirement
- Tax consequences and future liquidity
- Maintenance/alimony duration and structure
- College planning, special expenses, lifestyle considerations
- Enforceable parenting plans that reduce conflict
In both Missouri and Illinois, marital property division is generally based on equitable distribution—“fair” does not always mean 50/50.
The details of classification (marital vs. non-marital) and tracing can be outcome-decisive.
Common Complex Assets in High Net Worth Divorce
Each asset category can have unique valuation methods, liquidity constraints, and tax implications. Strategy starts with identifying and understanding the asset.
BUSINESS
Businesses & Professional Practices
Valuation may involve EBITDA/cash flow, market multiples, goodwill questions, ownership restrictions, and “who keeps operating the business” after divorce.
COMPENSATION
Bonuses, RSUs, Options & Deferred Comp
These often require careful analysis of vesting schedules, grant dates, marital portions, and tax treatment—especially when income fluctuates.
RETIREMENT
401(k)s, Pensions & Retirement Plans
Division may require specialized court orders and precise plan-specific language. Errors can be costly and delay distribution.
REAL ESTATE
Multiple Properties & Investment Real Estate
Equity calculations, appraisals, refinance feasibility, rental income, and tax issues can all affect the “true” value of a property award.
FINANCIAL
Brokerage Accounts & Complex Portfolios
Portfolio division isn’t just account balances—basis, embedded gains/losses, concentration risk, and liquidity matter.
OTHER
Trust Interests, Inheritances & Separate Property
These issues often turn on classification and tracing. How assets were maintained, commingled, or used can change outcomes.
A common mistake
Focusing on “headline value” instead of after-tax, after-fees, after-liquidity value. Two asset awards can look equal on paper and be wildly different in reality.
A Smart Process: Strategy Before Emotion Costs You Money
High net worth cases benefit from a disciplined approach: stabilize the immediate situation, gather records, identify experts, and negotiate from a position of clarity.
1
Stabilize & Protect
Immediate orders may address temporary support, possession of the home, parenting time, and “status quo” spending.
2
Identify the Asset Map
We build a full picture: accounts, real estate, retirement, business interests, debts, insurance, and cash flow.
3
Classify & Trace
Marital vs. non-marital issues often hinge on documentation and tracing—especially for inheritances, premarital assets, and business interests.
4
Valuation & Expert Support
Where needed, the case may involve business valuators, forensic accountants, appraisers, and retirement plan specialists.
5
Negotiate (or Litigate) Strategically
We pursue settlement where possible, but prepare cases so they are trial-ready. Leverage comes from preparation.
Many high net worth cases resolve through negotiation or mediation, but only after the finances are properly understood. “Fast deals” can be expensive deals.
Tracing, Discovery, and Hidden-Asset Concerns
High asset cases sometimes involve missing information—whether intentional or simply disorganized. The solution is structured discovery and clean documentation.
Common “messy money” issues
- Cash businesses or variable income streams
- Intermingled business/personal expenses
- Undisclosed accounts or transfers
- “Friendly loans” to family or business entities
- Valuation manipulation concerns
How we build clarity
- Organized financial record requests
- Document timelines and tracing worksheets
- Business financial review (P&Ls, balance sheets, tax returns)
- Valuation strategy and expert coordination (as needed)
- Settlement structures that reflect real liquidity and taxes
If you suspect hidden assets
Don’t “go digging” in ways that create legal or privacy problems. Instead, gather what you have access to lawfully and let the discovery process do its job.
Support, Lifestyle, and Financial Stability
Higher incomes and established lifestyles often raise maintenance (alimony) and child-related expense questions. The details differ by state, but the analysis is usually grounded in need, ability to pay, and fairness.
MISSOURI
Maintenance (Missouri)
- Often fact-driven: need, ability to pay, standard of living, length of marriage, and earning capacity.
- May be temporary or longer-term depending on circumstances and evidence.
- High income cases frequently focus on budgets, lifestyle, and future self-support.
ILLINOIS
Maintenance (Illinois)
- Illinois often uses guideline-based analysis, with room for deviation in appropriate circumstances.
- Duration and amount are tied to income, length of marriage, and statutory factors.
- High income and complex compensation may require careful income definition and evidence.
The right support strategy often depends on tax impact, cash flow, and how assets are divided. Support and property division should be evaluated together—not in isolation.
Parenting, Privacy, and Protecting Your Children
High net worth divorce still comes down to what matters most: children and stability. These cases can add privacy concerns and public visibility, making thoughtful planning essential.
Parenting Plans That Actually Work
Schedules should match real life, travel, school demands, and children’s routines—not just “equal time” on paper.
Communication Boundaries
High conflict + high assets often requires structured communication to reduce escalation and protect kids.
Confidentiality
Sensitive financial details may require careful handling and strategic disclosure—especially in public-facing roles.
School and Activities
Private school tuition, extracurriculars, travel sports, and special expenses should be addressed clearly.
Future-Proofing
Parenting plans should anticipate relocations, travel, changing schedules, and teen years.
Keep Kids Out of the Middle
A strong plan reduces conflict points so children aren’t exposed to litigation-driven stress.
Missouri vs. Illinois: What’s Similar—and What’s Different
Both states generally divide marital property under an equitable distribution framework, but the details and emphasis can differ. The practical takeaway is the same: outcomes improve when assets are properly identified, classified, valued, and negotiated with tax and liquidity in mind.
Property Division
Both states aim for “fair” division; fair is not always equal. Asset classification and tracing can drive results.
Support Analysis
Missouri is highly fact-driven; Illinois commonly uses guideline frameworks with discretion for deviations.
Retirement Division
Both require precision and plan-specific handling. Poor drafting can cause delays or unintended tax outcomes.
Business Interests
Valuation and liquidity are central. The question isn’t just “value,” it’s “how is value realized and divided?”
Temporary Orders
Early court orders can shape access to cash flow, spending rules, and parenting schedules—strategy starts immediately.
Privacy & Reputation
High visibility cases benefit from structured communication and careful handling of sensitive records.
The right question isn’t “who gets what?”
It’s “what is the net value, what’s the tax impact, what’s the liquidity, and how do we structure a resolution that protects your future?”
Quick Questions
High net worth divorce questions we hear every week—answered plainly.
Do I have to disclose everything?
In divorce, financial disclosure is typically required by court rules. Incomplete disclosure can backfire and may lead to sanctions or reopening of judgments.
A strong plan organizes disclosure properly while protecting sensitive information.
How is a business divided?
Often, one spouse keeps operational control while the other receives an offset through other assets or structured payments. The key is accurate valuation,
cash flow reality, and tax-aware structuring.
What if my spouse controls all the money?
Courts can address temporary support, access to accounts, and spending rules while the case is pending. The earlier the issue is addressed, the better.
Can we keep this private?
We take privacy seriously. While court cases are often public, there are strategic ways to reduce unnecessary exposure and handle sensitive records carefully.
Options depend on the case posture and the court.
Is mediation realistic in a high asset case?
Often, yes—especially after the finances are properly understood. Mediation works best when both sides have reliable valuations and complete financial information.
This page provides general information as of 2026 and is not legal advice. Laws, court rules, and procedures can change and may vary by county/circuit. Outcomes depend on specific facts and documentation. For advice about your situation, consult an attorney.
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Missouri & Illinois
Offices
Our offices in Missouri and Illinois are conveniently located. Divorce laws differ according to the jurisdiction. Having in-depth knowledge of the local statutes in their region, our attorneys are prepared to assist you in dealing with any family law issue.
Need MORE INformation?Setup Up the Initial Appointment
To begin the divorce, custody, or family law process, you must first schedule an initial consultation with one of our attorneys. This meeting gives you the opportunity to ask your most pressing questions, understand your legal options, and determine the best path forward based on your unique situation.
There may be a small initial consultation fee; however, any unused portion of time may be credited toward your required advance deposit to engage the firm, if you choose to retain Besserman Law. Ask our team for current details when scheduling.
Schedule ConsultationThere may be a small initial consultation fee; however, any unused portion of time may be credited toward your required advance deposit to engage the firm, if you choose to retain Besserman Law. Ask our team for current details when scheduling.
What to Expect for Any Case.
A divorce or legal process begins with the initial consultation with your attorney. The hour will be devoted to answering specific questions and drafting goals for your case. You can expect your attorney to outline a strategy that has the best chance of success based on the information you provide.
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Ensure you bring all necessary documentation to your consultation, including current and legal documents you think our attorneys will need to see, such as W-2 forms and last year's tax records. If you're not sure what documentation to bring, ask. You will have a more productive initial consult if you have the proper documentation on hand.
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Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ) of Divorce
Do we Need To Wait Before we File for a No-Fault Divorce?
Not always. In the case, you as well as your spouse, have lived apart for a continuous period of at least six months before admission of the divorce judgment, the two-year separation requirement could be waived, but only if you both consent in writing to do this. In case the two of you cannot consent, then you will have to satisfy the 2-year condition.
Do you know the Important Legal Problems in a Divorce?
The important problems that commonly come up in divorce cases are property division, child custody and visitation, child support, and alimony. Partners can enter into an agreement, property settlement agreement or divorce agreement, to resolve all or a number of the problems presented by their divorce case. This agreement, and, in particular, any arrangements regarding child custody and child support, will need court acceptance. They will have to fight it out in court where a judge will determine for them under the principles of Illinois law if spouses can not agree on any of the problems.
What’s a Legal Separation?
If you are living separate and apart from your spouse, you can petition a court to allow you a legal separation and fair support or alimony. Either spouse will not be prevented by a ruling for legal separation from filing for divorce after.