Experienced High Net Worth Divorce Lawyers In Metairie

Last updated on May 21, 2025

Once the decision to terminate a marriage has been made, it is imperative that all ancillary matters are addressed. These matters may include custody, child support, spousal support and division of community property.

The attorneys of Salley & Salley, LLC, have over 50 years of combined family law experience. We are among a small group of Louisiana law firms that can offer an attorney who is a board-certified family law specialist, certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. This certification is granted to a select number of attorneys who demonstrate a commitment to ethics, excellence and continued legal education. Attorney Laurel Salley has been a board-certified family law specialist since 2004.

How To Approach A Louisiana High-Asset Divorce

Entering into a high-asset divorce is daunting for most Louisiana couples with wealth or valuable property at stake. Learning as much as possible about this complex process can help you protect your interests.

Without a sound approach, critical assets may be overlooked or undervalued, potentially resulting in an unfavorable division of property. Complex financial holdings, such as business shares or overseas investments, can add layers of confusion and create opportunities for disputes if not thoroughly assessed in advance.

Additionally, the absence of knowledgeable guidance may leave you in the dark about the full scope of your divisible marital assets, increasing the risk of an unfair outcome. As such, proper preparation is essential to avoid the unique complications of many high-asset divorces, including:

• Asset valuation: Determining the value of complex assets can be challenging.
• Hidden assets: One spouse may conceal assets, leading to disputes and investigations.
• Property classification: Efforts to differentiate a community from separate property may cause disagreements.
• Business division: Distributing business interests fairly is often complicated.
• Tax considerations: Asset transfers and liquidation may result in significant taxes.
• Debt division: Equitably sharing debts like mortgages brings a risk of spousal conflict.
• Sentimental items: Disputes over heirlooms or valuable possessions can intensify disagreements.
• Marital agreement challenges: Pre- and postnuptial agreements may face interpretation disputes.
• Complex retirement account division: Fairly splitting pensions or IRA benefits from careful planning.
• Pre- and postnuptial agreements: Challenges may arise in interpreting or enforcing marital agreements during the divorce.

In these situations, an experienced, board-certified family law attorney can turn the tide in your favor. They can help safeguard your assets, provide tailored strategies and negotiate on your behalf for the most favorable outcome possible.

Preparing Yourself For A High-Asset Divorce

Since the key to navigating a high-asset divorce is preparation, taking proactive steps and avoiding common pitfalls offers protection for your assets and interests. Consider following this advance preparation guide:

• Organize your financial documents: Compile detailed records of all assets and liabilities, including shared and separate property.
• Work with a financial professional: Consult a financial adviser or forensic accountant to assess the value of assets and ensure transparency.
• Draft a post-separation budget: Plan for your financial needs after the divorce, accounting for living expenses and future goals.

At the same time, there are also some actions to avoid, such as hiding or selling assets. Similarly, it is important to avoid rash decisions, like signing agreements, without legal counsel.

How Does High-Asset Divorce Differ From Traditional Divorce In Louisiana?

A marriage with extensive assets requires special attention, due to the complex division of assets and debts. These assets may include vehicles, jewelry, art, primary home, vacation houses, pension and retirement accounts, investment properties, real estate, rental houses, businesses or investment portfolios.

When there are complex community property issues, experts in specific areas may be recommended by your attorney. A forensic accountant may be retained for the valuation of a business, locating hidden assets or determining actual income.

A QDRO specialist may be required for dividing pension or retirement accounts using qualified domestic relations orders. In some cases, a special master or a court-appointed expert may be retained to encourage and facilitate a negotiated settlement. These resources can be incorporated into the strategic plan tailored to your individual situation.

Wealthy clients are likely to face the issue of spousal support. Interim spousal support provides the spouse seeking support with funds to maintain his or her current lifestyle, while the divorce is ongoing. Our experienced attorneys can ensure that the appropriate levels of spousal support are set.

Can You Protect Specific Assets In A High Net Worth Divorce?

Protecting cherished possessions is often a top priority in a high-asset divorce. While Louisiana law mandates the fair division of marital assets under community property laws, there are ways to safeguard certain items.

Family heirlooms, luxury properties, rare collectibles or a beloved car can hold significant sentimental and financial value. To protect these items, ensure you have documentation that proves you owned the property prior to getting married or through an inheritance or gift after the marriage.

Negotiation is another essential step – working closely with an attorney can help you prioritize these possessions during settlement discussions. Additionally, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, if applicable, can outline the ownership of specific assets, offering an added layer of protection.

Our team can help you explore options that may allow you to retain the possessions that matter most to you, both emotionally and financially.

Which Assets Are Protected In A Louisiana High-Worth Divorce?

In Louisiana, community property law plays a significant role in divorce proceedings. This means that most property acquired during the marriage is divided equally, but there are a few exceptions.

Certain assets are typically protected from equal division in community property states. Premarital assets, for example, generally remain with the person who acquired them before the marriage. Inheritances and gifts, even if received during the marriage, are also considered separate property and are usually not included in asset division.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for safeguarding what rightfully belongs to you. Our attorneys can help you clarify ownership, potentially securing these assets for your post-divorce life.

Are There Tax Implications In Louisiana For A High-Asset Divorce?

In a word, yes. High-asset divorces in Louisiana can pose tax issues that require careful attention. Here are a few implications to consider:

• Property transfers: Retaining certain property, such as the family home, may result in property tax obligations.
• Capital gains: Selling jointly owned assets (real estate, investments, etc.) may trigger capital gains taxes.
• Retirement accounts: Dividing retirement accounts may require a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) to prevent immediate tax penalties.
• Spousal support: Alimony payments are no longer tax-deductible nor taxable under federal law, but Louisiana courts still consider the impact of tax payments when determining support amounts.

To mitigate potential tax burdens and avoid costly mistakes, consulting with our high-asset divorce attorneys is highly recommended. We can provide clarity and help you navigate tax and other divorce implications with confidence.

Speak With An Experienced High-Asset Divorce Lawyer In Southeastern Louisiana

Not every family law attorney has the skills to take on high-asset divorces. At Salley & Salley, LLC, our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex divorces involving substantial assets and debts. If you don’t have aggressive representation, you stand to lose your financial security. Contact us today to schedule your confidential consultation at 504-323-7114 or by email.

Sandra Salley and Laurel Salley have each been separately recognized for inclusion in the Super Lawyers list as top attorneys in Louisiana. Our firm has also received an A+ rating from the Greater New Orleans Area Better Business Bureau.