Business Owner Divorce Attorneys Serving New Jersey

Divorce Attorneys Representing Business Owners and Spouses of Business Owners in and Around South Jersey from Our Offices in Cherry Hill, NJ

If you are considering divorcing a spouse who owns a business, the legal complexities involved may feel overwhelming. You want to ensure your family’s financial livelihood remains intact. You need to make sure the business is properly appraised. Fortunately, with the help of a New Jersey business owner divorce attorney, you can feel confident all business-related aspects are appropriately handled.

Not every New Jersey family law attorney is equipped to handle the complex tasks associated with valuing and dividing a business during a divorce. At Graziano & Flynn, P.C., our lawyers have years of hands-on experience handling all complicated aspects of divorce, from child custody matters to dividing the assets of a business. Let our knowledgeable counsel help you get and protect your fair share. From our office in Cherry Hill, NJ, we serve clients in and around Burlington and Camden Counties.

What Do Business Owners Stand to Lose in a New Jersey Divorce?

Just as no two couples are alike, neither are any two divorces. That being said, most couples have many of the same challenges to tackle when working out a divorce settlement – namely, child custody, who keeps the house, how are bank accounts and other assets divided, etc.

Business owners have an added complication. When you are a business owner, you stand the lose more than personal assets – you stand to lose the company you have worked so hard to build.

A business may be considered as asset or property like anything else, and is subject to New Jersey’s equitable distribution laws. Without the help of an aggressive and diligent divorce attorney like Ronald Graziano, managing partner of Cherry Hill, NJ-based family law firm Graziano & Flynn, you are at risk of losing:

• The Business Itself: You might need to sell the company or shares of the business to pay your former spouse.
• Equitable Interest: Your ex-spouse might be allowed to retain some equity in your business.
• Control of Operations: If your ex is a partner in the business or is somehow involved in the operations of the company, he or she might be able to remain involved.
• Part of the Value of the Business: If you started the business before you were married, it is generally considered separate property. However, if the business rose in value during the course of your marriage, your ex-spouse may be entitled to a portion of its risen value.

Many business owners find themselves embroiled in a complicated, high net divorce. Without diligent representation from a qualified attorney, you put your financial well-being and your professional reputation at risk. Contact Ronald Graziano of Graziano & Flynn today for a consultation about your personal situation; rest assured, he will protect your interests and the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

Is the Business Marital or Separate Property?

You may run into many challenges when a divorce involves a business in NJ. One of the initial concerns is whether the business itself is considered marital or separate property.

When the Business is “Marital Property”?

Marital property includes assets and property acquired during the marriage. This often includes money in savings accounts, your home, your vehicles and a business. In New Jersey, marital property is subject to equitable distribution during a divorce. While this doesn’t necessarily mean the business will be split 50/50 between you and your ex, you may receive some equitable interest in the company or a portion of the proceeds from the business’ sale.

When the Business is “Separate Property”?

Separate property typically includes assets acquired before your marriage. Certain property that was acquired during the marriage – such as an inheritance – may not be considered marital property. If your spouse started the business before you were married, it may be considered separate property. However, even a previously owned business could have some aspects that are equitably distributable, depending on the circumstances.

This is a complex area of family law. Therefore, it’s critical that you consult with a knowledgeable NJ family lawyer who is well-versed in equitable distribution of businesses. Ron Graziano will make sure the business is correctly valued and that you get to keep the portion of the asset you deserve.

Additionally, if you are entitled to alimony, the business still needs to be accurately valued to determine how much spousal support you will receive. Further, the value of the business may affect how much child support your spouse must pay after the divorce. It should also be noted, if the company was founded before the marriage or through an inheritance during the marriage, its appreciation in value may actually be considered marital property and subject to equitable distribution. This means you may be entitled to receive a portion of the business’ increase in value since the start of your marriage.

Again, Mr. Graziano understands that while you didn’t start the business, or even possibly work there, your involvement in taking care of the home and family certainly contributed to your spouse’s ability to grow the company. You deserve of piece of that equity. Graziano & Flynn will fight for your rights and financial interests.

Valuing Your Spouse’s New Jersey Business During Divorce

Whether the business is marital or separate property, the company still must be accurately valued during the divorce process. This is a major challenge for many couples. Camden County and Burlington County family law attorney Ron Graziano of Graziano & Flynn knows the laws when it comes to business asset valuation and equitable distribution between divorcing spouses. Since there is no precise formula when determining a business’ value in New Jersey, it’s extremely important you choose a lawyer, like Mr. Graziano, who is fully knowledgeable about the factors commonly taken into account by a court.

For example, Mr. Graziano will explain how the following issues may impact how the business will be valued and, subsequently, divided between you and your soon-to-be-ex. It’s fully understandable if you don’t know what these issues are all about; with Mr. Graziano on your side, you can rest assured your interests will be protected.

• Closely held business
• Income or capitalized method
• Market method
• Cost approach method
• Fair value

Don’t risk getting less than you deserve. Contact Ron Graziano today for a consultation. He has been helping clients get their share of what’s fair in divorce for many years.

Experienced Family Lawyer Ron Graziano Leaves No Stone Unturned When Your Divorce Involves a New Jersey Business

When reviewing the business your spouse owns, your attorney may take some additional steps to see how much money you may be entitled to as part of your divorce settlement. Ron Graziano has represented countless clients in South Jersey, including Haddonfield, Medford and Voorhees, when it comes to making sure they are protected financially. He will investigate the following issues on your behalf:

• Prenuptial Agreement. If you and your spouse signed a pre-nuptial agreement, this might affect the amount alimony you may receive.
• Part-Ownership. On paper, do you own any part of the company? Do you want to retain a stake in the company or do you want your spouse to buy you out? Mr. Graziano can advise you about these issues.
• Mixed Finances. If your spouse combined business and personal finances, this could also affect the outcome of your case – perhaps in your favor.
• Hidden Assets. Do you suspect your spouse hid money taken out of the business? We’ll use special investigative tactics to uncover any assets you suspect your spouse has hidden.
• Unreported Income. If your spouse accepted payments “under-the-table” or otherwise did not report some income to the IRS, we’ll do everything in our power to assess the value of his or her unreported income for your benefit.
• Sale of Business. If your ex-partner decides to sell the company, Mr. Graziano will make sure you get a fair share.

Your spouse’s attorney is sure to assess your the value of your business. However, you and your attorney at Graziano & Flynn also perform a thorough appraisal. We may call in experts, such as a CPA or other outside counsel, to help the process along. We’ll examine things like:

• Fair value of the business
• Revenue
• Projections
• Assets
• Debts
• and more

To ensure we get the most accurate assessment, Mr. Graziano will need to review all your information. Once you retain the law firm of Graziano & Flynn, you will need to gather all your business’ financial records handy, including purchase orders, pay stubs from employees, tax records, invoices, and any other relevant documentation.

New Jersey Business Owner Divorce Attorneys

As a business owner, you have invested untold amounts of time and money to establish your company and help it grow. Now, faced with a divorce, you are worried about losing all or part of the business to your former spouse in a property settlement.

At times like these, business owners in Camden County, Gloucester County, Burlington County and throughout New Jersey turn to the law firm of Graziano & Flynn, P.C. Our attorneys have nearly 80 years of combined experience resolving issues related to business valuation and asset protection in complex divorce matters. Ron Graziano, the firm founder, was a certified trial attorney for over 25 years.

To talk to a New Jersey business owner divorce lawyer about how to protect your company when your marriage ends, please call 856-499-4351 or toll free 866-948-7568. You can also send us an email and we will respond promptly.

Accounting for and Protecting all Types of Business Assets

When representing a New Jersey business owner in a divorce, much of the work for an attorney revolves around making sense of portfolios of business assets and liabilities. This process requires a business asset divorce lawyer to be very detail-oriented and thorough — traits that our attorneys possess. We identify and value all relevant property, including:

• Inventory
• Trade secrets and intellectual property
• Business goodwill
• Appreciation
• Commercial real estate
• Business loans and debts

Working with Respected Experts

Over the years, Graziano & Flynn, P.C., has built relationships with reliable financial experts whose skills and opinions are valuable in business owner divorce cases. Our network includes actuaries, business valuation experts and tax specialists who help us calculate a company’s real net worth and then create plans to ensure its continued viability post-divorce.

Cherry Hill, NJ divorce lawyer Ron Graziano will provide guidance and direction on the most effective ways to shield your business from your soon-to-be ex spouse. Here some issues he may discuss that will protect your company:

1. Easing your spouse out if he or she is a partner or part-owner
2. Keeping your personal and business finances separate
3. Retaining accurate financial records
4. Reviewing your pre- or post-nuptial agreement
5. Sacrificing other personal assets, such as a vehicle or savings account, instead business assets
6. Opting for a payment plan instead of paying out a lump sum if your spouse is entitled to a portion of the business’ value

In addition to property concerns, we help business owners resolve critical issues of child custody, child support and alimony. We seek outcomes that are in the best interests of the child, with the hope that the child will have a strong relationship with both parents.