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Bergen County High-Asset Divorce Lawyers

Divorces are challenging, but when spouses have a net worth of $1 million or more, the stakes become significantly higher. Large estates, high-value assets, and complex business interests require experienced legal counsel to navigate the intricate financial and legal issues unique to high-asset divorces.

At Marotta Blazini Dunleavy LLC, our Bergen County high-asset divorce lawyers understand these complexities and are committed to providing the strategic legal guidance necessary to protect your assets and secure your financial future.

How Do High-Asset Divorces Differ from Other Divorces?

High-asset divorces stand apart primarily due to the substantial net worth and the volume of valuable assets involved. Some key distinctions include:

  • Privacy and Alternative Proceedings: Spouses often prefer confidential alternatives such as mediation or arbitration, which help keep sensitive financial details out of public court records.
  • Higher Costs: Legal fees, forensic accountants, asset valuation experts, and financial advisors increase the overall cost of litigation.
  • Longer Duration: Locating, valuing, and dividing complex assets, along with negotiating contentious issues like alimony and custody, can extend proceedings for months or even years.
  • Tax Implications: The division of high-value assets often triggers significant tax consequences that require careful planning.
  • Complex Asset Division: With diversified portfolios, business interests, and luxury property, determining equitable distribution is more complicated than in standard divorces.
Steps involved in a high-asset divorce

What Types of Assets Are Common in High-Asset Divorces?

While all divorces involve assets like bank accounts and vehicles, high-asset divorces feature a wider variety of substantial holdings, including:

  • Business investments and ownership stakes
  • Closely held private companies
  • Domestic and international bank accounts
  • Family heirlooms and fine art collections
  • High-value primary and vacation residences
  • Intellectual property rights and patents
  • Retirement accounts and pension plans with significant balances
  • Offshore investments and trusts
  • Stock options and investment portfolios
  • Rental and commercial real estate
  • Luxury vehicles, boats, and yachts
  • Employment-related incentives such as stock grants or bonuses

How Are Marital Assets Divided in New Jersey?

New Jersey follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means marital property is divided fairly, though not necessarily equally. Marital property typically includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage, such as:

  • Bank accounts and financial investments
  • Business interests and partnerships
  • Real estate (primary home, vacation homes, rental properties)
  • Retirement and pension benefits
  • Luxury items and collectibles
  • Vehicles and boats


Separate property generally includes assets owned prior to marriage or received as gifts or inheritance. However, if separate property is commingled with marital assets—for example, using inheritance funds to purchase a jointly owned home—the court may classify it as marital property subject to division.

Family-owned businesses frequently complicate high-asset divorces and are typically considered marital property, even if only one spouse is the owner.

Is Alimony Common in High-Asset Divorces?

Alimony, or spousal support, is often a significant issue in high-net-worth divorces, especially when one spouse earns substantially more than the other. The goal is to maintain a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage.

New Jersey courts consider several factors when awarding alimony, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial needs and earning capacity, and the ability to pay.

Common types of alimony in New Jersey include:

  • Open Durational Alimony: Usually awarded in long-term marriages (typically 20+ years), this support continues indefinitely until modified or terminated by the court.
  • Limited Durational Alimony: Provides financial support for a set period, often in shorter marriages, to help the recipient transition financially.
  • Rehabilitative Alimony: Supports a spouse temporarily while they gain education or training to become self-supporting.
  • Reimbursement Alimony: Compensates one spouse who supported the other’s education or career advancement during the marriage.


Alimony obligations may end due to significant changes in financial circumstances, retirement, remarriage, or cohabitation with a new partner.

Am I Protected by a Prenuptial Agreement?

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are common in high-asset marriages to clarify asset ownership and protect separate property. In New Jersey, the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (UPAA) requires such agreements to be:

  • In writing and signed by both parties.
  • Accompanied by a fair and reasonable disclosure of assets.
  • Voluntarily entered into, with acknowledgment of whether each party had legal counsel.


A prenuptial agreement drafted without an attorney’s involvement may be challenged and potentially invalidated if one party was unaware of their rights or the agreement’s consequences. Courts scrutinize these agreements carefully to ensure fairness.

How Can a Bergen County High-Asset Divorce Lawyer Help?

High-asset divorces involve complex financial and legal issues that require skilled advocacy. An experienced Bergen County high-asset divorce lawyer can:

  • Evaluate and value diverse assets.
  • Develop strategies to protect your interests.
  • Negotiate equitable settlements on property division, alimony, and custody.
  • Coordinate with financial experts and appraisers.
  • Represent you in mediation, arbitration, or court proceedings.


Choosing knowledgeable legal representation is essential to safeguard your rights and financial security throughout the divorce process.

Protect Your Financial Future With Our Bergen County High-Asset Divorce Lawyers at Marotta Blazini Dunleavy LLC

If you are considering divorce and have substantial assets, you need a law firm with extensive experience managing complex estates and high-net-worth cases. Our Bergen County high-asset divorce lawyers at Marotta Blazini Dunleavy LLC are here to help. Call 201-368-7713 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. Located in Maywood, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients throughout Bergen County and the surrounding areas.

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