Orange County High-Asset Divorce Lawyer

Orange County High-Asset Divorce Attorney

Dividing property in a divorce is often stressful. If done wrong, it could mean financial ruin for the unlucky party. The pressure becomes even greater when high-value assets and complex property portfolios come into play. If you need an Orange County high-asset divorce lawyer to help safeguard your finances, AKPC Law has the experience you need.

About AKPC Law

With a decade of experience as an Orange County family lawyer, mediator, and real estate broker, Arman Khoshnood of AKPC Law has the legal and business knowledge needed to guide you smoothly through your high-asset divorce. He is a member of the Orange County Bar Association – Family Law Division and was ranked a “Top-rated family law attorney in Irvine, California” by Super Lawyers for 2025-2026.

Understanding High-Asset Divorce in Orange County

The 2024 US census found that the median household income in Orange County was over $115,000/yr. The median home value that same year was $1,393,725, according to the California Association of Realtors. Orange County’s overall high concentration of wealth and valuable property naturally increases the likelihood of divorces involving substantial and complex assets.

A high-asset divorce generally involves spouses with substantial marital property, such as real estate holdings, business interests, investments, or other complex high-value assets. Because accurately identifying, valuing, and dividing the property can be more involved than in a typical divorce, these cases often require close scrutiny.

Uncontested and Contested Divorce in CA

In California, divorce can be either uncontested or contested. A divorce is uncontested when both spouses agree to all terms, including asset division plans. The process is relatively simple, as both parties sign a settlement agreement that dictates the terms of the divorce. Even when the dissolution is amicable, however, it’s important to have an attorney help with the agreement as errors can be costly—especially in a high-asset divorce.

A contested high-asset divorce is often long and arduous. Because high-net-worth individuals typically have complex asset portfolios, resolving competing ownership claims can take years in court. Getting legal support during this process is strongly recommended.

How Property Division Works in California Divorce Law

California divorce law categorizes property into either community or separate property. Community property is shared between spouses. Per Family Code 760, anything earned or owned during a marriage is considered community property, with a few exceptions. An attorney can help determine what counts as community property.

Separate property, meanwhile, belongs to individual spouses. Any property gained before marriage—or after separation in some cases—remains separate, as do profits from said property, per Family Code 770. Money inherited by or gifted to one party during the marriage is also separate.

If separate and community property are mixed, they become commingled. For example, when personal funds are deposited into a joint account. Commingled property can be split back up into separate and community property if there is sufficient documentation of individual contributions.

In California, community property is generally divided 50/50 upon divorce. When assets are commingled, the party claiming a separate ownership interest bears the burden of proving that interest through sufficient documentation.

Why Hire a Lawyer for a High-Asset Divorce?

With so much at stake in a high-asset divorce, getting professional assistance is crucial. An attorney can help evaluate your assets, which is necessary for dividing them fairly. Your lawyer can track down hidden assets, sort out documentation, distinguish separate property from community property, and coordinate with accountants and other professionals to create a clearer picture of ownership and value.

Untangling commingled property is one of the most complex parts of a high-asset divorce case, and the financial impact can be major. If you contributed, say, 90% of the funds to buy and maintain a property worth 1M, you could lose out significantly on a 50/50 split without clear documentation supporting a separate property or reimbursement claim.

Preparing a strong argument for ownership with clear documentation is essential for overcoming the community property presumption. An attorney knowledgeable about high-asset divorce laws can assist.

A lawyer can also help review pre-existing legal documents that could affect your divorce. Prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly common. A 2022 poll found that 15% of married or engaged Americans signed one. Getting a lawyer to review your prenup before you file for divorce can streamline the process and ensure your rights and claims are safeguarded against any potentially invalid clauses.

FAQs

Is Moving Out the Biggest Mistake in a Divorce?

Moving out isn’t always a mistake in a California divorce, but it can involve risks. If your name is on your home’s deed, moving out does not automatically eliminate your ownership interest, as community property is generally divided equally upon divorce. However, moving out may affect custody arguments depending on parenting involvement, and maintaining a second residence while continuing to pay marital expenses can factor into spousal support considerations.

What Money Can’t Be Touched in a Divorce?

Any money considered a spouse’s separate property cannot be taken in a divorce. Money earned before marriage is separate property, as is money gained during marriage via inheritance or gifts. Hiring a high-asset divorce attorney and a forensic accountant can help ensure that your separate property is correctly accounted for during your divorce.

What Is the Average Cost of a Divorce Lawyer in California?

There’s no clear average cost for hiring a divorce lawyer in California. Rates are generally in the hundreds of dollars per hour, but they can vary significantly based on the firm’s location and the attorney’s level of experience. The total cost also depends on case length and complexity, as disputes and asset complexity typically require more time.

What Counts as a High-Asset Divorce?

There is no legal definition for a high-asset divorce, but the general rule of thumb is that a high asset divorce is one in which a couple’s shared net worth totals at least $1M. Even below this threshold, however, assets may be very difficult to divide. Regardless of your marital net worth, a divorce lawyer can help split your property fairly.

Hire an Orange County High Asset Divorce Lawyer

If you’re going through a high-asset divorce, you deserve the help of an experienced attorney. Arman Khoshnood of AKPC Law cuts through the confusion of divorce proceedings with clear, transparent communication, working directly with clients to seek a strategy that centers their goals. Contact AKPC Law today to set up your consultation.

AKPC Law is based in Irvine. Mr. Khoshnood offers services in English, Farsi, and Spanish.