Division of Marital Assets
Marriage is a powerful legal and economic institution, and divorce or dissolution of marriage involves serious financial risks. At The Drew Law Firm attorneys from our
family law and divorce practice have the experience, the resources, and the commitment to protect our clients' interests throughout the process of dividing
marital assets.
Communication with your lawyers is extremely important during the process of dissolution or divorce. If you are considering a separation, have already separated, or know you will be getting a divorce, you should avoid discussing any division of marital property or other terms of a divorce settlement with your spouse until after you have spoken with a lawyer, to preserve all your options.
"Often the subjects I discuss with my clients are sensitive, or even embarrassing. I believe my clients feel at ease discussing anything with me, which is crucial for me to be able to provide them with thorough representation. However, I am also direct and honest. I do not want my client to develop unrealistic expectations about the outcome of a case."
Attorney Nancy J. Frazier
Our
divorce attorneys have extensive experience in handling high-asset divorces, including those involving complex marital estates. In such a case the lawyers work with appropriate professionals, including certified public accountants, business valuation experts, specialists in retirement benefits and executive compensation, and real estate appraisers to see that our client's interests are well represented in the divorce settlement or court ruling.
These issues are particularly important when one or both spouses have separate property, including interests in a family business, inheritances, and gifts. An expert appraiser is often needed to study the income stream, equity, and blurring of separate value during the course of the marriage.
Our related practice groups provide the legal services necessary to handle transfers of
business interests and
real property. Our
estate planning attorneys assist with drafting of new wills and reevaluation of our client's estate plan.
It is our goal to help our clients preserve their
marital assets, avoiding unnecessary litigation. However, our
divorce lawyers are, in addition to being thorough analysts and skilled negotiators, determined and effective advocates, and will not hesitate to resolve terms of a divorce through a trial if it is in our client's best interests.
A divorce settlement may include a provision for spousal support (alimony), depending on the length of the marriage, the education and employment history of each spouse, and whether one spouse has foregone a career to maintain a home. Alimony can be temporary or permanent. The duration and modifiability of the award are critical elements, and should be reviewed by an attorney with the appropriate experience.
The early stages of a divorce settlement are critical. If you would like to arrange an initial consultation with an attorney from our family law practice and discuss your situation, please
contact our
Cincinnati office. Our lawyers will work with you to define your goals, identify significant aspects of your unique situation, and explain your alternatives.
Our family law team: attorneys
Frederic L. Goeddel,
Michael D. McNeil and
Nancy J. Frazier and secretary Susan Annear
Related practice areas: divorce,
child custody,
family law,
prenuptial agreement,
estate planning,
wills and trusts,
real estate,
business law
