Ending a marriage in Oklahoma can be challenging, and this is especially true for high asset divorces. When you and your spouse control substantial assets and have complex investments, it’s natural for disputes to arise, and you need help from an experienced attorney to reach the fairest possible outcome in this element of your divorce. A Miami high asset divorce lawyer is the ideal resource to consult in this situation.
The Miami divorce lawyers at Bundy have extensive experience representing clients in all types of divorce cases in the Ottawa County District Court. “High-asset” divorce cases typically involve high-net-worth spouses who control business assets, investment portfolios, multiple real estate properties, and other valuable assets that can be difficult to divide in a divorce. Our team excels at resolving difficult cases, and we’re confident we can help you reach a favorable outcome in your divorce.
Oklahoma’s divorce rate is one of the highest in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2023, Oklahoma’s divorce rate was about 3.3 per 1,000 residents, and most divorces in the state are filed on a no-fault basis on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences,” meaning the marriage has broken down beyond hope of reconciliation.
Whatever the underlying reason for your divorce may be, you need to know what to expect as your divorce case unfolds. In a high-asset divorce case, tensions may arise when it comes to property division, and in Oklahoma, the equitable distribution rule applies. This means that the court wants to see the fairest possible division of marital assets, but divorcing spouses may have different ideas as to what constitutes fairness in this aspect of the case.
Oklahoma’s equitable distribution rule requires a careful review of many factors. Each divorcing spouse will need to submit a financial disclosure statement that includes complete financial records, and each spouse must define the separate property that they intend to keep following divorce. One of the most challenging parts of any high-asset divorce is defining what qualifies as separate property and what is part of the marital estate.
Separate property usually includes the property a spouse owned before marriage, as well as any inheritance left to them by parents or other relatives and gifts that have been given to them, including those received during their marriage. Marital property would be anything acquired by either spouse during their marriage, anything purchased using shared funds, and income earned by both spouses during their marriage.
High-asset divorce cases are inherently difficult because some types of property are especially difficult to divide. For example, if you have a retirement account that you opened before marriage, then you might assume that this account would be your separate property in divorce. However, the contributions you have made to the account during your marriage would qualify as marital property under Oklahoma’s equitable distribution rule.
Divorce cases are also often multifaceted, and various financial issues intertwine. For example, if you are a divorcing parent, you will need to resolve child custody and child support. You need an experienced Miami high asset divorce attorney you can trust to provide comprehensive guidance for all of the financial matters you will need to resolve in your divorce.
The team at Bundy can provide the direction and support you need in this case. We have extensive, proven experience handling high-asset divorce cases in Miami and throughout Ottawa County, and you can trust us to leverage this experience in handling your case. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn how we can assist you.
Your spouse will not exactly get half of everything in divorce. While some states follow community property laws that require strict 50/50 division of all marital assets in divorce, Oklahoma is an equitable distribution state, meaning the family court will want to see the fairest possible division of marital property. Income, job prospects, work experience, and other financial obligations are just a few of the factors considered in these determinations.
A divorcing spouse’s separate property can’t be touched in an Oklahoma divorce. Each of the divorcing spouses has the right to keep separate property, which usually includes property they owned before marrying, gifts, and inheritance. However, if any separate property was ever commingled with marital assets, then that property is likely subject to the equitable distribution rule.
You should hire a high-asset divorce lawyer because any divorce case can be difficult to navigate, but high-asset divorces are especially challenging. You are likely to face financial disputes that you will not be able to resolve on your own, and you will need reliable legal counsel on your side to help provide the fairest possible division of marital assets.
Yes, it is sometimes possible to negotiate a divorce privately in Oklahoma, but you will still need an attorney’s help. Many divorcing couples in Oklahoma and throughout the US try alternative dispute resolution like mediation to not only save time and money on divorce, but also to have greater control over the divorce terms they ultimately reach. Your attorney can explain any such options available to you.
The cost to hire a high-asset divorce lawyer in Oklahoma typically depends on the lawyer you choose to handle your case. Most family lawyers in Oklahoma charge hourly rates and track time spent handling clients’ cases. Bundy will carefully review our billing policy with you so you know exactly what to expect when it comes to your legal fees.
Facing a high-asset divorce in Miami can be daunting, and you’re likely to have several difficult financial questions you cannot answer for yourself. The team at Bundy has the skills, experience, and resources necessary for handling the most challenging divorce cases in Ottawa County, so contact us today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Miami high-asset divorce lawyer.