Business Partnerships & Corporate Entities in Divorce
Do You Own a Business with Your Spouse?
The strain of a divorce is usually an emotional time and a financially uncertain one. Partners who are ending a marriage and who own a business together, however, can face even more challenges. These situations are common, with over a million U.S. businesses being owned and operated by married spouses, but they raise unique circumstances and difficult questions in the face of divorce. How many of these businesses manage to survive?
Business assets in a divorce settlement are often the subject of conflict. For this reason, you will want to retain the services of Lois M. Brenner, Esq., a highly skilled New York divorce attorney. Over the last 35 years, our lead attorney has helped many divorcing business partners successfully manage their complex and sophisticated joint business interests, making her uniquely qualified to handle the financial challenges involved in your case.
How Business Relationships Are Addressed During Divorce
It is common legal advice for married business partners going through a divorce that one partner buy out the other. Because there is an objective measure of value inherent to a business, separating partners can arrive at objective figures and then divide. However, when business assets are distributed, payments are not always lump-sum, and may involve slower payments over time or without interest.
It is to the advantage of both spouses to cooperate, since the business may support both spouses in post-divorce life. In some cases, separating partners may not have the same goals or interests with respect to the business, which makes selling a business and splitting funds an equitable option. Although it is an option, it is a risky choice for partners who will soon be in divorce court.
Sometimes, one partner may keep the business and the other keeps different assets. Separating spouses have a lot to consider, and even more so when those spouses own a business together. As with many other issues that arise in divorce and family law proceedings, the best option depends on whether spouses can amicably arrive at agreements and the unique facts and circumstances involved. When there are difficulties, working with an experienced attorney should be a priority. We can help you analyze the possibilities.
To learn more about how we can help, call Lois M. Brenner, Esq. today at (646) 663-4546.
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I met Lois Brenner at a networking group. She spoke on divorce and mediation. At the time I was not in need of a divorce attorney but was so impressed I kept her information. Two years later I hired Lois Brenner and I am finally separated from a man who nearly destroyed my life. Although we were able to do this with her in mediation, it was not easy for me. She really kept me strong, and on top of myself. She was helpful with both of us, and encouraged each of us when needed. It was much better than going through the court system. It took a lot less time and saved us money too. I can’t say enough about her. She is a special attorney. I tell everyone who will listen how special she is.- Pilar
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I met with Lois Brenner nine months ago, and my life has been changed for the better! She and her legal team really encouraged me to leave a very abusive husband. They gave me the knowledge and courage to take the necessary legal steps. My parents were helping me and found Lois to be smart, and compassionate. My whole family felt really comfortable having her handle my case. I am finally divorced, away from an abusive man and ready to start a new life. I can’t thank Lois and her legal team enough for all the support I received. I got a much better settlement than I expected because they were relentless in locating money my husband had hidden. Thank you so much!- Kim B.
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I had read about Lois’ unusual divorce method in one of her blog posts. It was refreshing to see someone was working with the psychological issues in divorce. My husband is bipolar and getting him to agree to a divorce and commit to the process was tough. When we met with Lois she really understood him. She immediately identified his mental health issues, and because she has a psych background, she was empathetic to his needs and was skillful at guiding him through her divorce mediation process. It took a while but she really got us to a point where we could actually discuss things without my husband blowing up. Her method is unique and it really helped in our situation. She actually recommended a great psychiatrist who changed my husband’s meds at her urging (she has a medical degree too), and my husband is coping much better. We can’t thank her enough for her compassion and advice! If you need a divorce attorney, especially if mental illness is a part of the fabric of your marriage, go see Lois! Thanks Lois - Beena T.
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Lois is a “Rock Star” I was very worried about my daughter who was in a really bad marriage. I started researching divorce attorneys and found Lois Brenner. I called her, discussed my daughter’s horrible marriage and she agreed to meet with us. Since my daughter’s husband wanted out of the marriage too (he was cheating), Lois suggested she help them dissolve their marriage in mediation. To my surprise it worked out. Lois was able to keep my daughter and husband from fighting during their sessions, and she helped them resolve all their financial issues. Since I was paying the fees to help my daughter, not having to go to court saved us a great deal of money. As a father, I am truly grateful for everything Lois did. Her talks with me in the beginning of the process, to calm me down, really helped. I would highly recommend her to anyone thinking of divorce.- Graham (happy dad)
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“Expert, Compassionate Counsel”- Alisa
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Finding my way to Lois was the best thing that could have happened during my very contentious divorce. Lois took on my case with a level of care that has been above and beyond. She has been an incredible advocate for me, both legally, guiding me through this difficult process with knowledge and wisdom, and also personally, helping give me strength and support to stand up to my very aggressive ex husband. Lois is a gift, and I am so grateful to her and for the future she is helping to make possible to myself and for my son.- SC
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Connecting with Lois was the best thing that could have happened during what has been very difficult and fraught divorce. Lois took on my case with knowledge, wisdom and care that have been above and beyond in every way. She recognized abusive and unstable behavior in my ex-husband, and offered both strong legal guidance, as well as personal encouragement and strength to stand up to him. Her support has been invaluable to me, and I am so deeply grateful for everything she has done in helping forge a better more stable future for me and for my son.- SC
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“We are forever grateful!”- Donna and Frank
