High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer in Denton

Navigating the Complexities of Filing for High Net Worth Divorce in Flower Mound, Frisco, Argyle & the Surrounding Areas

Divorce is always a difficult process to go through, but high-net-worth divorces can be particularly challenging to manage. High net worth divorces raise the stakes of negotiations, because just one percent awarded to either side can account for tens of thousands of dollars.

Learn everything you need to know about high-net-worth divorce here!

Plus, couples with a high net worth generally share more assets, which makes the division of wealth, property, and other resources more complicated. These complexities make it vital to have an attorney to help ensure the division of assets is equitable.

Common issues and assets that high net worth divorces often include are:

• Valuation of assets and debts
• Division of stocks, investments, and 401(k)s
• Division of properties
• Valuation and division of businesses
• Challenges to premarital agreements
• Child custody and child support disagreements
• Tax complications
• Potential hidden assets

Another issue couples often face is determining the financial worth of each spouse, particularly when one spouse does not work or when a spouse married into wealth. It can be difficult to value each individual’s contributions to the marriage and determine how that should be represented financially.

Contact our trusted high-net-worth divorce lawyer in Denton at (972) 236-7798 to schedule a confidential consultation.

How to Prepare for a High Net Worth Divorce in Denton County

Finding a qualified and experienced attorney is the best thing you can do to protect yourself in a high-net-worth divorce. Your attorney will fight for you and can help you find experts who may be necessary for your case. It’s crucial to value assets early so that you know how much to negotiate from the start. Burrows Law Group is well-equipped to handle the financial complexities of high-net-worth divorce cases. 

Our staff includes former financial executives, so you work with our attorneys who focus on family law and financial issues. This makes the Burrows team uniquely qualified to navigate high-net-worth divorces that involve valuable assets. Our attorneys have experience with multi-million-dollar estate divisions and can guide you every step of the way.

When we first meet with you about a high net worth divorce in Denton County, we usually start by helping you organize your financial picture. That often means gathering several years of tax returns, bank and brokerage statements, business records, and information about real estate or other titled property held in Texas or out of state. By assembling this documentation early, we can work with valuation professionals to give you a clearer idea of your marital estate before you make decisions that are difficult to undo.

As we prepare your case, we also discuss your goals for life after divorce, including housing, business continuity, and the level of involvement you hope to maintain in your children’s daily routines. These priorities influence how we approach negotiations and whether certain assets—such as an interest in a closely held business or a home in Denton—should be traded for other property to support your long-term plans. Taking time to clarify these goals at the outset can help you feel more in control throughout the process.

In many Denton County cases, it is also helpful to plan for privacy and logistics from the beginning. High net worth families are often concerned about keeping sensitive financial information out of the public eye, so we may explore tools such as agreed confidentiality provisions or the use of neutral experts who report in summary form. We also explain the procedures at the Denton County courts so that you know what to expect at temporary orders hearings, mediation, and any later court settings.

What Is the 10-YEAR Rule for Divorce in Texas?

The 10-year rule in Texas divorce refers to the likelihood of awarding spousal maintenance (also known as alimony or spousal support) in divorces where the marriage has lasted at least ten years. The court considers a long-term marriage a more significant economic partnership. 

The spouse who has been financially dependent on the other spouse for an extended period may need more time to become economically independent after the divorce.

However, this guideline is not hard and fast. The court will still consider other factors, such as the financial needs of each spouse, the length of the marriage, and the contributions each spouse made to the marriage, when deciding whether or not to award spousal maintenance.

In practice, judges in Texas look closely at whether the requesting spouse has made a genuine effort to earn enough income or develop skills to support themselves. In a high asset divorce, this analysis can be complex because investment income, business interests, and deferred compensation may all affect each spouse’s ability to meet their reasonable needs. We walk clients through how these factors typically play out in local courts so they can make informed decisions about whether to seek or contest spousal maintenance.

The duration and amount of any spousal maintenance order also depend on statutory limits and the specific facts of your marriage. Courts may weigh issues such as age, health, history of family violence, and whether one spouse left a career to raise children or support the other spouse’s professional path. By carefully presenting evidence about your day-to-day contributions and financial realities, we help the court see the full picture behind the numbers.

How High Net Worth Divorce Works in Texas

High net worth divorces in Texas follow the same basic legal framework as any other divorce, but the stakes and the level of detail required are much higher. Texas is a community property state, which means that most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are presumed to belong to both spouses. In a complex financial situation, determining which items are truly community property and which are separate property can be a major point of dispute.

Separate property may include assets one spouse owned before the marriage, inheritances, or certain gifts, while community property typically includes income, retirement contributions, and property purchased during the marriage. In a high net worth case, there can be significant commingling of these categories over time. We work with financial professionals to trace funds and document separate property claims so that the division ordered by the court, or agreed to in settlement, accurately reflects what the law allows.

High net worth divorces in Denton County and the surrounding North Texas area also tend to involve unique asset classes, such as interests in family-owned companies, stock options, restricted stock units, oil and gas interests, or multiple pieces of real estate. These assets often require formal valuations and thoughtful planning to divide fairly without disrupting ongoing business operations or creating unnecessary tax burdens. By coordinating closely with appraisers, accountants, and other advisors, we help clients understand the range of possible outcomes before they decide whether to accept a proposal or proceed to trial.

Business and Professional Practice Division

Many high-net-worth divorces involve one or both spouses owning a business, professional practice, or interest in a closely held company. These interests can be among the most valuable assets in the marital estate, but they are not always easy to divide. Questions may arise about how much the business is worth, how much of that value is tied to the personal efforts of one spouse, and whether it makes sense for both spouses to continue owning an interest after the divorce.

To address these issues, we often collaborate with business valuation professionals who understand the industries common in the Denton and Dallas–Fort Worth area. They may review financial statements, customer lists, goodwill, and cash flow to determine a reasonable value for the business interest. With that information, we can explore options such as a structured buyout over time, an offset with other assets, or, in some cases, a sale of the business if that aligns with the owner’s goals.

When a spouse owns a professional practice—such as a medical, legal, or consulting practice—there are additional considerations, including licensing rules and ethical obligations. We help clients evaluate how to protect the ongoing viability of the practice while still achieving a fair division of the overall estate. This can involve careful drafting of settlement agreements and close attention to how income and goodwill are characterized in the final orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does a High Net Worth Divorce Typically Take in Texas?

The timing of a high net worth divorce varies based on the complexity of the estate, the level of conflict, and the court’s schedule. Cases that involve detailed business valuations, disputes over separate property, or contested custody issues generally take longer than straightforward divorces. Many families in Denton County resolve their cases through settlement conferences or mediation, which can shorten the process if both spouses are motivated to reach an agreement.

Will My Financial Information Become Public During a High Net Worth Divorce?

Most court filings in Texas are part of the public record, but some steps can reduce how much sensitive detail is disclosed. In some situations, parties use agreed protective provisions, summaries rather than full account statements, or confidentiality terms in their settlement agreements. Discussing privacy concerns early in the process helps shape how financial information is presented to the court and exchanged between the parties.

Do We Have to Go to Trial in a High Net Worth Divorce?

Many high-net-worth divorce cases resolve through negotiation or mediation without a full trial. Mediation is commonly used in Denton County and other North Texas courts as a way to narrow issues and craft tailored solutions. A trial may still be necessary if key disputes cannot be resolved, but understanding the range of likely outcomes can encourage both sides to reach a settlement that avoids the risk, time, and expense of extended litigation.

Child Custody & Child Support

In addition to the division of assets, determining child custody and child support can be a particularly complicated task in high-net-worth divorces. Because each parent can financially support the children, it is not immediately clear who the primary caretaker should be. Also, one party may seek a 50/50 custody arrangement to lessen child support. As each spouse has the funds to hire strong legal representation, these issues can turn into an intense battle.

This is when staying calm and rational is critical. Avoid emotional encounters with your spouse, as the court may consider this when awarding custody. The best thing you can do is hire an experienced attorney to do the fighting for you.

High net worth families in Denton County often face additional custody questions that do not arise in every case, such as how to manage private school tuition, extracurricular expenses, nannies, and travel. Parenting plans may need to address international trips, multiple homes, or complex work schedules, especially if one parent travels frequently for business. We help parents think through these details so that the final orders are practical and reduce the risk of future conflict.

Child support in high-income cases can also look different from standard guidelines. When a parent earns above the statutory cap, courts may consider the children’s proven lifestyle, special needs, or educational plans to determine whether guideline support is sufficient. We work with parents to document these needs and to build proposals that are fair, sustainable, and focused on the children’s best interests rather than on punishing the other parent.

Effective Legal Counsel & Representation

When it comes to high net worth divorce, it is vital to have strong, qualified attorneys on your side who will do everything they can to protect you and your family. Dissolving any marriage is challenging, but especially so when dealing with extra issues, assets, and financial entanglement. Our experienced attorneys will protect your interests and help you understand and weather the complexities of high net worth divorce.

At Burrows Law Group, we draw on both our legal training and our financial backgrounds to anticipate issues before they derail negotiations. That can include addressing how to handle concentrated stock positions, planning for the tax impact of dividing retirement accounts, or evaluating whether a buyout of a business interest is realistic given cash flow. By identifying these challenges early, we can often structure creative solutions that reduce uncertainty and avoid unnecessary litigation.

Because we practice across multiple North Texas counties, including Denton County, we are familiar with different judges’ procedures and preferences in high-net-worth matters. This local knowledge helps us tailor our strategy, prepare you thoroughly for hearings or mediation, and set realistic expectations about the path your case may take. Throughout the process, we stay focused on clear communication so that you are never left wondering what is happening with your case.

Contact Burrows Law Group for High Net Worth Divorce Services

There are many advantages to having a high net worth, and in most cases, it means you have worked hard to get there. There are complications to this status, however, including cases of divorce. It is important not to leave your high asset divorce to any legal advisor. Your case needs to be handled with extreme precision.

If you are going through a high-net-worth divorce, the attorneys at Burrows Law Group are ready to help. We represent clients throughout Frisco, Collin County, and the surrounding areas.

Schedule a consultation with our trusted high-net-worth divorce lawyer today in Denton, TX. Call (972) 236-7798.