The divorce process can be long, complicated, and expensive for any couple. However, cases can become especially complex when a couple has a high net worth, including situations where one or both spouses have a high income, where they own valuable assets, or where either spouse has significant family wealth. If you are currently going through a divorce or are considering ending your marriage, and you need to address issues related to large assets or significant income earned by either spouse, there are some things you need to keep in mind. By taking the right approach during your divorce, you can protect your financial interests, minimize complications and expenses, and come out the other side of your case prepared to meet your needs in the future.

The team at Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC has extensive experience representing clients in multiple types of divorce cases, including those involving couples with a high net worth. We understand the unique considerations and challenges that affect couples in these situations, and we have the knowledge and experience needed to help you handle financial issues effectively. Our goal is to help you achieve the best possible outcome, whether that means negotiating a divorce agreement that takes your unique circumstances into account, working with forensic accountants to value assets and determine appropriate distributions, or representing you in litigation if necessary.

Preparing for a High Net Worth Divorce

In many cases, a high net worth divorce will take longer than the average divorce case. Gaining a full understanding of the assets you own and other aspects of your financial situation can take time, and making decisions on how to address issues related to property, income, and finances can often be a complex process. These divorce cases are also often more expensive than average, since you may need to work with accountants, appraisers, or other financial experts during the divorce process.

Getting through the divorce process can be difficult for everyone involved. Spouses will need to address multiple details related to their finances and property, and in addition to determining how to divide marital property fairly, they will also need to make sure they will be able to meet their needs going forward. Parents who get divorced will need to make decisions about the custody of their children, and child support orders will be put in place. Addressing all of these issues and resolving the various disputes that may arise can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. Because of this, those who complete the divorce process are usually ready to put these matters behind them and move forward with their lives. However, in the years following a divorce, questions may arise about whether the orders put in place in family court can be modified. 

If you have experienced changes in your life after finalizing your divorce, you will likely have many questions about what types of modifications you can request and the procedures you will need to follow in these cases. The attorneys of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC can answer any questions you may have about these issues, and we will inform you of your rights and advise you on how to proceed as you request a modification. We will provide you with representation in court hearings, and we will advocate on your behalf to ensure that your rights and your children's best interests will be protected in any modifications that the court puts in place.

How Do I Modify a Court Order?

If you would like to modify your divorce decree, your parenting plan, or other orders put in place upon the finalization of your divorce, you must file a Petition for Modification with the circuit court in the county where the original order was entered. You will also need to serve the Petition on your ex-spouse, and they may file a Response. Once the Petition and Response are filed, the court will schedule a hearing. At the hearing, both parties will have an opportunity to present evidence and argue their position. After considering all of the evidence, the judge will make a decision on whether modifications will be appropriate. If the judge decides to make modifications to previous court orders, a new order will be issued detailing the modifications that have been put in place. Both parties will be required to abide by the terms of this order going forward.

When preparing for divorce, many couples get ready for significant conflict, and they may resign themselves to having difficult arguments about issues such as their finances, the property they own, their living situations, and their children. However, a divorce does not have to be full of anger and animosity, and in some cases, a couple may agree that since ending their marriage is best for everyone involved, they will work together to complete the divorce process with minimal conflict. 

An amicable, uncontested divorce may seem like an ideal solution that will allow legal issues to be addressed and resolved quickly and effectively. However, couples will still need to be aware of the procedures that must be followed in these cases, as well as the steps they can take to avoid potential problems that may arise in the future. Even though a couple may be looking to minimize expenses and resolve matters outside of court, it is a good idea for each spouse to have their own attorney who will represent their interests, address potential legal issues, and help them complete the divorce process effectively.

At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we can provide the legal help you need in an uncontested divorce, ensuring that you meet all legal requirements to legally dissolve your marriage while also advising you on the best steps you can take to protect your rights and interests. We can provide guidance on how to resolve any disputes that may arise, and we will advocate on your behalf while negotiating the terms of your divorce settlement, ensuring that you will be able to move forward successfully once your divorce is complete.

Going through a divorce can be a difficult process. Dealing with the legal issues involved in the dissolution of a marriage while also addressing financial concerns, making adjustments to living arrangements, and handling the emotional fallout that comes with the end of a long-term relationship can be incredibly stressful. After completing the divorce process, a person will most likely want to move on with their life and put this painful experience behind them. However, there are some situations where issues related to a divorce may arise, and the parties may need to return to court to pursue a modification of their divorce or enforce court orders.

At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, our attorneys understand that the last thing most people want after going through a divorce is to once again become embroiled in the legal process. Filing petitions, attending court hearings, and dealing with other legal issues was stressful enough the first time around, and starting this process over may seem overwhelming. However, it may be necessary to deal with new issues that have arisen, and by taking the correct approach, a person can address their concerns and make any adjustments that are necessary. We work to ensure that our clients will be able to pursue modifications based on changes in their lives or take action to enforce their divorce decree when appropriate.

Where Will Modification or Enforcement Cases Be Handled?

The first thing a person will need to understand when addressing post-decree issues is the venue where their case will be heard. If at least 30 days have passed since the decree or judgment was entered, the determination of the court that will address the case will depend on where the parties currently reside. If either party lives in the same county or judicial circuit where they lived prior to their divorce, their case will generally be heard in the court where their original case was handled, although if their children currently reside in a different area, the case may be transferred to the circuit court in that area.

The divorce process can be very complex and difficult for both parties. In some cases, spouses may not know where to begin as they prepare to end their marriage, and gaining a full understanding of the issues they will need to address can seem like a massive and complicated undertaking. These problems may be compounded by the emotional difficulties that a person may experience due to the end of a long-term relationship, the conflict between spouses, and concerns about how matters related to a couple’s children will be handled. In many cases, divorcing spouses can benefit by working with a divorce coach who can provide much-needed assistance as they go about the process of dissolving their marriage.

At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we provide our clients with high-quality legal representation during the divorce process, working to protect their rights and helping them reach a positive outcome to their cases. However, we understand that while we can assist with the legal aspects of a divorce, there are a variety of other issues that can affect our clients during this process, and receiving help from others can often be beneficial. We are happy to work alongside divorce coaches with our clients, taking a team approach to the divorce process and ensuring that a person will be prepared to move forward with their life once their marriage has been legally dissolved.

How a Divorce Coach Can Help With the Divorce Process

There are many issues that will need to be addressed as a couple goes about the process of ending their marriage. While an attorney can provide invaluable help with the legal aspects of this process, there are a variety of other concerns that may need to be addressed outside of the legal context. A divorce coach can help a person determine the best ways to approach these issues and proceed with the process of ending their marriage.