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No stone unturned: identifying, valuing marital assets in divorce

If your soon-to-be ex is hyperventilating on the floor after having just learned that the lottery ticket he or she bought recently actually has THE WINNING POWERBALL NUMBERS, take a moment to collect yourself.

And then promptly remind your impending former spouse that the ticket is marital property and its winnings subject to equitable division in your Massachusetts divorce.

We concede that such a scenario is unlikely, of course, but we cast that hypothetical to make a point.

And that is this: There is both breadth and depth of assets in many decouplings, and it is important for a divorcing spouse properly focused on a just financial accounting to fully identify and accurately value EVERYTHING that commands worth as marital property.

A Forbes article focused on that subject notes just how complex that task can be in some marriages, especially those in the high-net-worth category.

It is simply logical that, over the years, the property mix in a high-asset divorce grows in type and complexity. The Forbes piece points to some relatively obvious asset sources, such as realty holdings and savings accounts, but also alludes to things like the following:

  • Myriad employment-related assets, such as retirement plans, stock options, impending bonuses, pensions, restricted stock holdings and more
  • Collections and memorabilia (running the gamut from art, stamps and coins to antiques, vintage books and cars)
  • Select club memberships
  • Retained earnings in a business

And, again, follow through if you do perchance see your spouse gasping for breath while holding a lottery ticket.

Bottom line: Marital property is obviously valuable, and it can be both multi-sourced and hard to fully identify immediately.

A proven family law attorney well versed in complex asset division matters can help with the process.

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A Superb Lawyer!

Lisa guided me through the divorce process and helped me obtain my desired outcome. Throughout the entire process, she helped make the process as painless as possible. Lisa is truly a super lawyer who will be an asset to anyone that utilizes her knowledge, experience, dedication and abilities!

– Eric E.

Successfully Settled My Case With Just One Court Appearance

My ex husband is an attorney and I knew I needed a top notch attorney on my side in order to secure a favorable outcome. In less than a month, from start to finish, Attorney Ruggieri successfully settled my case with just one court appearance.

– Carol K.

All Of The Online Reviews Of Attorney Lisa Ruggieri Are True!

All of the online reviews of Attorney Lisa Ruggieri are true! If you need top-notch legal advice to land you on your feet post-divorce, I would highly recommend the Law Offices of Lisa Ruggieri. Lisa is very knowledgeable and draws a strong line around defending and protecting her clients.

– Eugenia Z.

She Was Aggressive And Never Backed Down

I found Lisa through reviews and was not disappointed. Lisa and her staff were great! They were very supportive and explained everything. She was aggressive and never backed down, even when I wanted to settle. She always looked out for my best interest, even when I didn’t want to. I can’t recall a single debate she lost during the entire case. If I were ever in a similar situation again (which will not be anytime in the foreseeable future!), I would call Lisa.

– Erik T.