A spokesman for Phoenix & Mesa, Arizona law firm Gillespie, Shields, & Durrant today pointed to the high incidence of divorce and the serious ramifications for high net worth couples and their children.

Divorce is one of the most stressful events in a family’s life because the marriage was the bedrock of the family’s future and suddenly everything has to change. Each side of the marriage has to think or how they can best protect their interests and children.

It is an especially frightening time for high net worth families with real estate , second homes and businesses. The spokesman for Gillespie Shields and Durrant stressed that a consultation with an attorney skilled in divorce for high net worth families understands the need to protect your rights and business operation as much as possible. This will require a business valuation agreed with experts. This includes instances such as professional corporations, family business, business executives, stock options and pensions.

High net worth couples often arrange prenuptial agreements, the spokesman pointed out. However these agreements are by no means a cast iron protection in the event of a divorce, both parties must have made a full declaration of their assets before the agreement and any attempt to hide details may invalidate the prenuptial agreement. In any case it needs an expert attorney to make sure that the prenuptial agreement works to protect your interests. Recent high profile cases have focused on the wife’s claims to have contributed to her husband’s successful business career.

Divorce can sometimes involve difficult custody issues and alimony support, including the length of time the alimony is to be paid and whether the amount demanded is reasonable and within the husband’s means. The whole question of wills and inheritance may have to be considered, the spokesman commented.

He explained that divorce means a change of status and that any decisions taken must try to accommodate the family’s altered need. Naturally, he pointed out, the welfare of the children of the marriage must be given priority.

However it may be possible to have a negotiated out of court settlement with an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) . An attorney can agree to act as a mediator for both parties. This has the advantage that it keeps the matter private and avoids public scrutiny of the proceedings. This is an important consideration as far as children are concerned, the spokesman explained. The two parties in the divorce can opt for arbitration where a third party, a nominated attorney can agree the division of property and payment of alimony, where applicable. Arbitration is not available in all states. The final judgment is public although the proceedings are private. Arbitration can be quicker than a divorce proceeding, the spokesman said.

Unfortunately divorce is a common reality which has to be faced as marriage breakdowns are increasingly common according to the spokesman Gillespie, Shields, & Durrant. This fact has to be faced despite the trauma of the marital breakup. Life has to go on and the divorce advocate’s work is to try to arrange an amicable settlement if possible. However the advocate has to be ready to go to court to protect his client’s interests where necessary. It is possible to appeal against divorce court decisions but it is a far more complicated process than in a criminal court case. It requires an expert family divorce advocate to handle the appeals process which can be challenging and complex, the spokesman concluded.

For all media contacts please call Attorney Mark A. Shields on 602-870-9700.

Contact Details:
Gillespie, Shields & Durrant
7319 North 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Phone: 602-870-9700
Website: http://www.phoenixfamilylawfirm.com/