What Is a High-Asset Divorce in Wisconsin?

 Posted on April 30, 2025 in Property Division

In any divorce, property division can be a point of complexity and contention. In a high-asset divorce, dividing property is often even more complex and challenging. Determining what is marital and nonmarital assets alone can result in major disputes.

Whatever your situation may be, an experienced Waukesha County, WI high-asset divorce attorney will fight to protect your right to fair distribution. Without legal representation, you may risk losing assets or portions of assets that are rightfully yours.

What Is the Difference Between a High-Asset Divorce and a Standard Divorce?

The complexity and value of assets are what differentiates a high-asset divorce from a standard divorce. Some characteristics of high-asset divorce include:

• Complexity: They involve assets with constantly changing value, such as investments, retirement accounts, businesses, and multiple real estate properties.

• Asset valuation: They require the evaluation of complex assets.

• Financial stakes: The legal proceedings can be more contentious because each spouse fears they potentially have much to lose.

• Tax implications: The tax consequences can be significant when dividing high-value assets.

• Expert involvement: A diverse asset portfolio may require experts, like appraisers, financial advisors, and forensic accountants.

• Privacy concerns: Business owners and high-profile persons often have concerns about maintaining a level of confidentiality during divorce proceedings.

With a significant amount of property, hidden assets are also a potential concern. Wisconsin law divides marital assets equally under the community property rule. To combat this, spouses may try to hide assets that they do not want to divide. This can take the form of unreported business earnings, offshore accounts, and trusts. An experienced attorney will know where to look for undisclosed property.

How Do You Determine Asset Value in a High-Asset Divorce?

Assets like real estate, businesses, luxury vehicles, stocks, and collectibles require appraisal before division. Some assets, particularly businesses, are much more complex to divide. For example, there are multiple ways to divide a shared business, such as one spouse buying out the other or selling the business to a third party and splitting the proceeds. Ensuring a fair settlement requires careful consideration of the legal options available and a personalized approach to the case.

What Counts as Separate Property in a High-Asset Wisconsin Divorce?

In Wisconsin, separate property is generally characterized as anything a spouse owned before the marriage and kept separate. This can also include gifts and inheritance given to only one spouse. However, this can become increasingly more complex in high-asset divorces when separate property is commingled, blurring the lines that made it separate.

Talk to Our Waukesha, WI High-Asset Divorce Attorneys Today

If you are in the middle of a divorce and feeling overwhelmed by the process, the New Berlin, WI property division lawyers at Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP can clarify the more challenging elements and help you better understand your rights. With experienced legal representation comes peace of mind. Call 262-232-6699 to schedule a free consultation today. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.