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The Impact of a Family Office in Divorce

At Brodie Friedman, we regularly handle divorce cases involving complex financial structures—none more intricate than those that include a family office. These privately held companies are typically designed to manage a family’s investments, wealth planning, and intergenerational assets. While they offer efficiency and control for affluent families, they can pose serious challenges when divorce enters the picture.

In these situations, accurate legal and financial analysis is critical. Family offices can significantly affect how income is calculated, how assets are classified and divided, and how alimony is assessed. Without an attorney who understands the inner workings of a family office, there’s a real risk of inequitable outcomes—particularly in cases involving layered investment strategies, discretionary distributions, or opaque compensation structures.

What Makes These Cases Unique?

When a family office is involved in a divorce, traditional approaches to discovery and valuation may fall short. Key considerations often include:

• Tracing and evaluating ownership interests in businesses, partnerships, or trusts held within the family office;
• Accurately determining income and compensation, especially when funds are structured to minimize visibility or taxable events;
• Understanding the roles of multiple entities and advisors, from investment managers to corporate trustees, and how they impact financial disclosures.

These elements require not only a deep understanding of family law but also a command of financial strategies common in high-net-worth planning.

With over 75 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Brodie Friedman have the insight and resources needed to untangle the financial complexities that come with family office involvement. We work closely with forensic accountants, financial advisors, and valuation experts to ensure that our clients’ interests are fully protected—both during negotiations and in litigation, if necessary.

If you have a client facing a divorce where a family office is in play, we’re here to help. The right strategy begins with the right team—reach out to Brodie Friedman to schedule a confidential consultation.

Transcript:
Family offices in a divorce case can be very complex if you don’t have the right attorneys helping you. In order to fully evaluate your case, you need the right attorneys that understand the dynamics of a family office, what they are, and how they play into a family law case with regards to alimony, with regards to equitable distribution, with regards to income.

If any of your clients need any assistance with their divorce cases. Feel free to call the professionals at Brodie Friedman. With over 50 years of combined experience, we’re here to help your clients.