High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer

Strategic Counsel For Complex Divorces

If you are facing a high net worth divorce, you are not dealing with a routine family law case. Significant assets, business interests, executive compensation, and long-term financial security are all on the line, often at the same time your family life feels unsettled.

At Little & Boylan, PLLC, we help clients in and around Rochester Hills navigate divorces that involve substantial marital estates and sophisticated financial questions. Our attorneys, led by John Little and Karie Boylan, bring decades of experience handling complex legal matters and use that background to plan your case with care.

We understand that you want clear information, a thoughtful strategy, and a team you can trust with personal and financial details. Our firm is here to provide steady guidance and strong advocacy so you can move forward with confidence. 

To schedule a consultation with our high net worth divorce attorneys, call (248) 809-1402 or contact us online.

Why High Asset Clients Choose Us

High asset clients look for more than basic family law representation. They want a legal team that understands how businesses, real estate, employment arrangements, and estate plans fit together. At Little & Boylan, PLLC, we offer that broader perspective and use it to help protect what matters most to you.

We are a full-service law firm located in Rochester Hills, and our work includes divorce and family law, business issues, employment matters, real estate, criminal defense, and estate planning. This range of services allows us to address the legal issues that often arise around a high asset divorce, such as company ownership questions, property transfers, or changes to wills and trusts.

Our firm follows a straightforward formula. We focus on smart advance planning and strong advocacy. In practice, that means we take the time to understand your financial picture, your family dynamics, and your priorities before we help you choose a course of action. We then work to carry out that strategy while keeping you informed at each step.

Clients also choose us because of how we communicate. We explain legal concepts in everyday language and discuss risks and options in a way that allows you to make informed decisions. Our attorneys handle complex matters on a regular basis, and we apply that experience to each high asset divorce with the attention it deserves.

What Makes High Net Worth Divorce Different

High net worth divorce is different from other cases because the marital estate is usually more varied and more difficult to evaluate. It can include closely held businesses, professional practices, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, multiple real properties, stock options, bonuses, and other forms of compensation. Each category of asset can raise separate questions about value, ownership, and timing.

Under Michigan law, courts generally aim for an equitable result, not a strict fifty-fifty split. In a high net worth divorce, this principle must be applied to assets that do not always have a simple market price. For example, a business interest may involve questions about control, future income, and how a buyout might affect operations. Investment holdings might carry tax consequences if they are sold or transferred as part of a settlement.

Many high net worth marriages also involve prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. These documents can provide useful structure, but they may also become points of dispute. Issues can arise over whether an agreement is enforceable, how it should be interpreted, or whether circumstances have changed enough that the agreement should be revisited by the court.

Support questions often look different in these cases as well. When one spouse has a high or variable income, spousal support and child support can involve detailed analysis of bonus plans, equity awards, or partnership distributions. The court generally considers factors such as lifestyle during the marriage, the needs of children, and each party’s ability to pay, and high income can make those discussions more complex.

Privacy and reputation also carry more weight for many high net worth families. Business records, financial statements, and sensitive personal information may become relevant if your divorce is heard in the circuit court that serves Rochester Hills. Thoughtful planning about what is truly necessary to present, and how to handle private information, can help manage these concerns.

Our Strategic Approach To Your High Net Divorce Case

When you work with our firm, we start by listening. During an initial consultation, we learn about your goals, your family, and the structure of your assets. We then discuss how a high net worth divorce typically proceeds in Michigan and what the process might look like for you if your case is filed in the courts that handle family matters for this community.

The next stage usually involves gathering information. This can include financial statements, business records, real estate documents, and details about compensation and benefits. We use these materials to help you understand what is likely to be considered marital property, what may be separate, and where there may be gray areas that require negotiation or court guidance.

With that foundation, we work with you to develop a strategy. For some clients, the priority is protecting a business or professional practice. For others, the focus is long-term financial security, children’s stability, or a combination of these concerns. Our attorneys consider settlement options, possible litigation paths, and the potential tax and cash flow implications of different approaches.

Because we are a full-service firm, we can coordinate related issues that often arise during a complex divorce. That may include reviewing operating agreements, addressing ownership interests in real estate, or connecting your divorce plan with estate planning updates. Our goal is to avoid having decisions in one area create unexpected problems in another.

We also understand that you may want to take careful steps before a case is filed or before major decisions are made. Early in the process, many clients find it helpful to:

• Organize recent financial records and account information
• Avoid making large transfers or unusual purchases without legal advice
• Think clearly about priorities for children, business, and long-term security
• Consult with our attorneys before discussing settlement with a spouse

Throughout each phase, we focus on discretion and clear communication. We keep you informed about developments, help you weigh offers and proposals, and prepare for hearings or trial when necessary. Our approach is designed to give you a sense of structure and control during a time that can otherwise feel uncertain.

Family & Business Interests In Divorce

For many high net worth clients, family and business interests are closely connected. You may be raising children while running a company, managing investments, or holding an executive role that demands your time. A divorce that affects both spheres requires careful planning so that progress in one area does not come at the expense of the other.

Parenting time and custody arrangements often need to reflect demanding schedules and travel, while still giving children a sense of stability. Courts generally look at the best interests of the child, which can include school routines, health needs, and the ability of each parent to provide day-to-day care. We work with you to pursue parenting plans that account for these realities and respect your family’s specific circumstances.

On the business side, questions often arise about how to treat ownership interests that one or both spouses hold. Key issues can include distinguishing between marital and separate interests, determining realistic values, and deciding whether a buyout, property exchange, or other structure is most practical. We draw on our business law work to help you evaluate options and understand how different choices may affect operations and cash flow.

Compensation can add another layer. Executives and professionals frequently receive bonuses, equity awards, or deferred income. These forms of pay can affect both property division and ongoing support obligations. Our attorneys pay close attention to plan documents and payment histories so that these elements are addressed in a thorough and practical way.

Because Little & Boylan, PLLC also handles real estate and estate planning matters, we are positioned to help with related questions, such as how to manage multiple properties or when to update beneficiary designations and estate plans after a divorce. Our aim is to help you safeguard your business, your family’s housing, and your long-term planning within a single, coordinated strategy.

To discuss your situation confidentially, you can call (248) 809-1402.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Property Divided in a High Net Worth Divorce in Michigan?

Michigan courts focus on equitable division, which means a fair result based on factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions, and future needs. In high net worth cases, this approach is applied to complex assets, so valuation, tax issues, and liquidity all play important roles.

What Happens to My Business if I Get Divorced?

The treatment of a business interest depends on how and when it was acquired, how it is structured, and what portion is considered marital property. Options can include buyouts, property exchanges, or other arrangements. We work with you to evaluate alternatives that protect operations while addressing legal requirements.

Can You Help Keep My Divorce Details Private?

We work carefully to protect sensitive information by sharing only what is necessary for your case and by seeking practical ways to limit public exposure when possible. While court filings are subject to legal rules, thoughtful planning can help manage privacy and reputation concerns.

How are Spousal Support and Child Support Calculated at My Income Level?

Support decisions typically consider statutory guidelines, income from all sources, children’s needs, and the standard of living during the marriage. In high income cases, courts often look closely at bonuses, equity, and variable pay. We help you understand how these factors may affect potential support ranges.

Why Choose a Full-Service Firm for a High Asset Divorce?

A full-service firm can address divorce, business, real estate, and estate planning issues within one coordinated strategy. This helps reduce conflicting advice and overlooked details. Our attorneys use their experience in multiple practice areas to align your divorce plan with your broader financial and family goals.

If you are considering a high net worth divorce or are already involved in one, we invite you to talk with our team about your options and priorities. Your conversation with us is confidential, and it is an opportunity to learn how we can help you move forward.