Divorce cases become more complex when the parties involved have assets including multiple properties, valuable possessions, or exotic financial instruments. To address these difficult circumstances, you can depend on the Van Slyke & Kestler Law Firm in Richmond and Sugar Land, TX. We have years of experience in high-asset cases throughout Fort Bend County, TX.

Texas Property Law

Texas is currently one of nine community property states, which is a marital property regime dictated by family law. In community property states, all assets acquired during marriage are considered to be jointly owned by both parties, unless it was purchased with separate property funds. Texas law calls for an equitable distribution of all community property instead of an equal division. This means that sound and reliable divorce planning may be required for you to receive a fair share of the marital estate.

Valuing a High-Asset Marital Estate

In divorces with complex, high-value assets, we will conduct and organize a complete valuation of all community property, including:

Residential and commercial real estate

Cars, boats, and other vehicles

Securities and retirement accounts

Family businesses

Precious metals, gemstones, and jewelry

Art collections

In order to determine the value of your assets with accuracy and precision, Lester Van Slyke, Jr., Michelle R. Kestler and their team will work closely with a team of financial experts, economists, and accountants. If investment and rental properties are included in the estate, our firm will work with experienced and certified property appraisers who will determine current market value and maximize your settlement.

When assets cannot be easily appraised or labeled as community or separate property, we hire the most highly-regarded financial investigators and forensic accountants to get to the bottom of the matter. Theses investigators and accountants will seek to discover all community property so that one party does not attempt to leave it out of the divorce proceedings.

More complications may arise if you are a resident of another country, but The Van Slyke & Kestler Law Firm has experience with international clients. We’ll work hard to resolve your case to your advantage without you having to appear in court.

Collaboration, Mediation and Trial

In an ideal situation, you and your spouse will be straightforward about your assets and agree to a fair and equitable distribution. To this end, attorneys Van Slyke and Kestler and their staff will try to resolve your case collaboratively with your spouse’s attorneys. We will then go into mediation if an equal distribution of your assets cannot be agreed upon. Should mediation fail, then we are prepared to go to trial and fight to get you the maximum distribution possible.

For more information about dividing high assets, contact our law firm to schedule a consultation. Lester Van Slyke, Jr. and Michelle R. Kestler are highly-qualified family law attorneys that can maximize your settlement.