Southlake Property Division Lawyer

Protect Your Financial Future

Dividing assets in a Texas divorce requires precision, especially in a community property jurisdiction like Southlake. At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth, our Southlake property division lawyers guide you through the complexities of safeguarding homes, retirement accounts, businesses, and investments. Whether you’re navigating high-net-worth disputes or protecting separate property, we prioritize clarity and fairness.

Why Property Division Demands Expertise

Texas law presumes all assets acquired during marriage are community property—split 50/50. However, exceptions exist for separate property (assets owned before marriage, inheritances, or gifts). Proving separate claims requires meticulous documentation, especially if funds were commingled with marital accounts.

Common challenges we resolve:

• Disputes over business valuations or executive compensation.
• Protecting inheritances used to purchase marital homes.
• Navigating tax penalties when dividing retirement accounts.

Do You Need a Southlake Property Division Attorney? Key Questions to Consider

Property division is rarely straightforward. Below are critical issues our clients face—and why skilled legal guidance matters:

Retirement Accounts & QDROs

If you contributed to a 401(k) or pension during the marriage, those funds are likely community property. Dividing them requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to avoid IRS penalties. Without proper legal oversight, early withdrawals could trigger unexpected taxes.

Proving Ownership of Assets

How do you demonstrate an inheritance remained separate? What if your spouse claims a business started during the marriage is entirely theirs? We collaborate with forensic accountants to trace paper trails, validate ownership, and counter false claims.

Tax Implication of Asset Division

Selling a home or liquidating investments? The tax consequences of dividing assets can outweigh their face value. For example, keeping the family home might mean sacrificing liquidity from stocks. We work with CPAs to model scenarios that protect your long-term financial health.

Inheritances & Lawsuit Settlements

Assets received as gifts or inheritances are typically separate—unless deposited into joint accounts or used for shared expenses (e.g., renovating a marital home). We secure documentation like wills or trust agreements to shield these assets.

Debt Responsibility

Are you liable for your spouse’s credit card debt or student loans? In Texas, debts incurred during the marriage are generally split equally. However, separate debts (e.g., pre-marital loans) remain with the borrower.

Removing Names from Titles & Mortgages

Refinancing a home or business to remove a spouse’s name requires lender approval. We negotiate terms to avoid foreclosure risks and ensure compliance with court orders.

Property Purchased During Separation

Even if you’ve been living apart, assets acquired before the divorce decree are still marital property. Hidden purchases or debts could resurface years later without legal safeguards.

Protecting Business Interests

If you own a business, courts may award your spouse a portion of its growth during the marriage. We structure buyouts, valuation adjustments, or equity shares to minimize disruption.

High Asset Divorce Cases

Property division can be highly complex and often is not straightforward, especially in a high-asset divorce. High net worth divorces tend to be different than divorces with fewer assets for a variety of reasons.

• High net worth divorces often take longer to finalize; this usually means a bigger price tag.
• High net worth individuals tend to have more complex spending habits. Other divorcing couples can sort of “live normally” while the court combs through their finances with a fine-tooth comb. High net worth individuals, on the other hand, may need to live differently than they normally would, so the court sees a “frugal, responsible” spending pattern (even if it isn’t financially necessary). For ideal child support and alimony agreements as well, this can be super important.
• Typically, a multitude of experts must be brought in to evaluate a high net worth divorce. On top of a divorce lawyer, you may also need to pay for tax professionals, appraisers, estate planning experts, business consultants, and translators.

Why Choose Our Southlake Property Division Lawyers?

With over 100 years of combined experience, our team:

• Resolves disputes through mediation or aggressive litigation.
• Partners with financial experts to value complex assets.
• Secures airtight documentation to protect separate property.

Don’t leave your financial future to chance!
Contact us and request a consultation to start strategizing with our property division attorneys today!

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Kam J.

3 months ago

Hands down one of the most professional and respected family law firms around. I wouldnt trust any other firm to represent me. I have had the pleasure to be represented by a few attorneys at the firm. They are fast, respectful, and above all trust worthy.

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