Valuing Ownership Stake in a Company
If one party in divorce is an owner or shareholder of a business, it raises significant issues for division of marital property. What is the value of the company or partnership? What share is the spouse entitled to? How do you factor all this into asset division without disrupting the business?
Houston divorce lawyer Bill De La Garza and his team are well versed in these complex issues. We represent business owners and partners in Harris, Galveston and contiguous counties of Texas, or the non-owner spouse who deserves consideration for his or her share of the ownership stake. Arrange a consultation today.
Houston Divorce Business Valuation Attorneys
Forcing a divestiture or dissolution of the business is not in anyone's best interest; it creates animosities and litigation, and drops the total value of the marital estate. Our goal is an accurate valuation and creative trade-offs to compensate the spouse fairly.
We work closely with business valuation experts, and Mr. De La Garza, Board Certified, Family Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization has insights of his own from 35 years of practice. We zero in on the key issues that will result in a practical resolution:
- What is the market value of the business? We are familiar with all the factors, and we can counter or reconcile competing valuations by the other spouse's experts.
- What is the ownership structure, and what is the liquidity of the owner's stake? Would the business survive a buyout? Could the spouse be cut in for a non-voting share?
- What is the community property portion? Did the owner spouse inherit a family business or start the company before marriage? Were marital funds invested in the business during the course of the marriage? Was the spouse involved in operations?
- What are the options for offsetting the value? The other spouse might get a greater share of retirement savings, equity in the house, more alimony or absolution from joint debts. We work for the solution that makes the best long-term sense for our client.
Texas Marital Property Valuation Lawyers
We have handled every type of closely held business in our divorce cases: professional associations (physician practices, law firms, etc.), sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs and family-owned businesses. We can capably address all complex property division issues to protect our client and the business entity.
Call 888-707-0064 or e-mail us to schedule a consultation at our Houston office.
