After working long and hard to amass wealth, it is understandable that you want to protect your interests as you head into property division proceedings. If you and your ex are not on good terms or you believe that he or she might try to give you the short end of the stick in court, you’ll want to arm yourself with as much information as possible regarding New Jersey divorce laws and unique issues that are relevant to a high-asset case.
It’s also best to expect the unexpected, meaning to be ready for your spouse to take an adversarial position and to try to keep you from getting all that you may be entitled to in property division proceedings. By “aligning your forces,” meaning building a strong network of support, you can make sure that you have swift access to assistance if things start to get messy in court.
Have all of your documents ready in a high-asset divorce
When preparing for a legal battle over assets, it’s a good idea to compile bank statements and other financial documents, receipts, tax returns, etc., from the past several years. This would include pay stubs, as well as documentation from any loans you may have acquired, such as auto loans or a mortgage on a new home.
If you are going to take advice, turn to an experienced advocate
You might have friends or family members who have already navigated a high-asset divorce in New Jersey. They might have all sorts of advice to offer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is good advice. When you have a lot at stake, it is better to rely on experienced guidance and support, rather than make decisions based on anecdotes from friends and relatives.
In fact, this is why many spouses turn to a family law attorney who is well-versed in high-asset issues when they expect their exes to put up a fight or try to hide assets during a divorce. An experienced high-asset attorney is a skilled negotiator who can go to bat on your behalf. Such an attorney also understands the complexities of property division and is willing to take action to make sure that you receive a fair settlement.
Don’t forget to keep detailed records
Especially if you have reason to believe that your ex is going to make your divorce proceedings difficult with regard to your assets, it is wise to start keeping careful records for all of your financial transactions, if you do not already do so. The more thorough and organized your financial records are, the less room there might be for your ex to make trouble.