Property issues during dissolution can be simple if you and your spouse have simple assets and both parties agree to what there is to split. However, when assets rise, so too does the complexity of the division of community property. California law requires that community property – which, generally speaking, is property acquired during marriage – be divided equally. But obtaining a fair and equal division of community property requires far more than simply dividing by two.
The key to developing a sound picture of the estate of high net worth individuals is having appraisals and valuations carried out by experts in their field. Our lawyers draw from the finest experts in their respective fields to create a team that can appraise businesses, professional practices, real estate, art, collectibles, automobiles, intellectual property and many hard-to-value assets. This information is the foundation in making rational decisions regarding the division or sale of assets and determining the tax implications that follow.
At Jaffe and Clemens, we make every reasonable effort to negotiate a settlement that works for you and your spouse, striving to limit expense and avoid unwanted media coverage. After all, a mutually satisfactory settlement is almost always preferable to a solution that is imposed by the court. Even the ablest judge does not have the intimate knowledge of your financial situation that you do, which is one of the reasons why we counsel our clients to pursue settlement where possible.
Working with our internal team of forensic accountants and with the top forensic accounting firms in Southern California, we have the expertise to make sure that no stone is left unturned and that all assets are carefully evaluated.
And while we strive to craft settlements that are acceptable to both parties, we also recognize that not every case can be settled. Differing views of how to value and divide assets and debts, not to mention emotions that may be running high, sometimes prevent a negotiated solution after all reasonable efforts at settlement have been exhausted. In those cases, we at Jaffe and Clemens are prepared to litigate on your behalf. Before trial, we prepare carefully, investigating, gathering evidence and working with experts, as may be appropriate. Our goal is to make the most effective and persuasive presentation to the court. At trial, we bring years of experience to the courtroom, and our competence, skill and integrity have given us an excellent reputation among family law judges and have earned us the respect of other family lawyers.