Going through a high-asset divorce in Los Angeles, California? Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers can help when you call (310) 271-6290. We offer a case evaluation with a Los Angeles divorce lawyer to discuss asset and business valuation and how it may affect your divorce settlement.
California’s community property laws require a fair division of marital assets, which makes accurate valuation critical—especially for high-net-worth couples. Our team works with financial experts to ensure all assets, including businesses, are properly valued so you can pursue the outcome you deserve.
Why Choose Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers To Handle Your Divorce Case
At Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers, we understand how high-value assets and complex financial matters can impact the outcome of a divorce in Los Angeles, CA. Our team is committed to protecting your financial future and guiding you through every step of the legal process.
Here’s why clients choose us when they need help most:
- We bring over 45 years of combined experience in family law, with a strong focus on high-net-worth divorce cases.
- Our attorneys have secured multi-million dollar property settlements for clients and have a consistent record of favorable outcomes in custody, child support, and alimony matters.
- We approach each case with strategy and tenacity, always fighting to protect your financial interests and personal well-being.
- Clients trust us to explain complex legal issues clearly and to provide honest, strategic advice from start to finish.
If you need help, call today to schedule your consultation with a Los Angeles family law attorney.
What Is an Asset or Business Evaluation?
An asset or business evaluation is the process of determining the financial value of a specific asset or business. This evaluation may determine the value of various assets, including:
- Real property, such as the marital home, vacation home, commercial buildings, or rental properties
- Intellectual property, such as a patent or copyright
- Personal property, such as artwork or jewelry
- Intangible assets, such as goodwill or brands
Asset or business evaluations involve analyzing all relevant financial information to establish a fair market value for the property. They are typically necessary when the property in question is valuable and there is a dispute about its worth.
Importance of Asset and Business Valuation
To obtain a fair resolution of your case, your property must be accurately valued. The value assigned to your assets or business affects various aspects of your divorce case, including:
It’s important that your property is properly valued. If it is undervalued, your spouse may not be required to pay as much spousal support or child support. If it is overvalued, you could wind up with an unfair property settlement.
Imagine that your spouse opened a business during your marriage. The company has been successful and is their primary source of income. Your spouse wants the value of the business to be based on the corresponding value of the business’s assets, which are relatively low.
If this approach is used, your spouse may be required to pay a minimal amount of spousal or child support. They may continue to have a high stream of income, so the amount of support they are providing is disproportionate to their income.
How Businesses Are Evaluated
While personal property and real property use a relatively straightforward approach to determine their fair market value, or the amount a willing buyer would pay to purchase the property in the open market, different methods may be used to determine the value of a business.
These approaches may include:
- Income approach: This approach uses a business’s anticipated future profits and cash flow to calculate the business’s value.
- Asset approach: The asset approach bases the value of the business on the value of its assets, such as heavy equipment, inventory, or real property.
- Market approach: The market approach is similar to how homes are valued. The business’s value is based on comparable sales of similar companies in the same geographic area.
Experts are used to determine the value. They may use a hybrid of approaches to reach their estimated value.
How To Obtain an Asset or Business Valuation
There are various ways that you can obtain an asset or business valuation. You and your spouse could agree on an expert to use and go with the value they assign. If you’re not currently in agreement about the process to use, you could engage in divorce mediation services.
If you are unable to agree on an evaluator, you could both hire different experts. In such a case, the court might hear testimony from both experts and then determine a value, often an average of the two values.
Contact an Experienced Divorce Attorney for Legal Assistance
An experienced attorney from Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers can help with all aspects of the property division process in Los Angeles, CA, including asset and business valuation. We can connect you with financial experts and others who can help conduct a thorough analysis and determine the worth of a valuable asset, allowing you to make informed decisions about your case.
To learn more, reach out to our team today to speak with a Los Angeles family lawyer.