High-Asset Divorce Lawyer in Austin

Strategic Help When Everything Is At Stake

If you are facing a divorce that involves significant assets, business interests, or complex finances in Austin, you are likely thinking about far more than just signing papers. You may be worried about your company, your investments, your children, and your future lifestyle, all at the same time.

At Diggs & Sadler, we guide clients through complex family law matters in Texas, including high-stakes property division and contested custody. With offices in Houston and Austin, our team brings more than 125 years of combined legal experience to divorces involving substantial estates and sophisticated financial structures.

Our attorneys include board-certified leaders in Family Law and Civil Trial Law, as well as Labor and Employment Law. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial, and we use a team-based approach so your matter benefits from the insight of our entire firm.

To speak with our Austin high-asset divorce lawyer, call (713) 766-5355 or reach out online.

Why Our Team for Complex Divorce

At Diggs & Sadler, when you hire one attorney, you gain the support of our full legal team. We collaborate on strategy, review key decisions together, and draw on decades of courtroom and negotiation experience. This team structure helps us anticipate issues, respond quickly, and prepare thoroughly for every phase of your case.

Our founders and key attorneys hold multiple board certifications granted by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. These include Family Law, Civil Trial Law, and Labor and Employment Law. Board certification requires substantial trial work, rigorous testing, and ongoing peer review, and it reflects a deep level of commitment to complex legal matters such as high-asset divorce.

Our firm has received recognition at both the state and national level. Honors for our attorneys and our practice include listings in Super Lawyers, Doyle's Guide, The Best Lawyers in America, Forbes Best Divorce Lawyers Houston 2024, and an award as Matrimonial Law Firm of the Year in Texas for 2022. While awards cannot predict results in any particular case, they provide independent confirmation of the quality of our work.

Key Issues in High-Asset Divorce

Divorce involving substantial wealth is rarely just about dividing bank accounts. In Texas, most property acquired during the marriage is presumed to be community property, which means it is subject to a just and right division by the court. However, many high-net-worth families also have separate property, such as premarital assets, inheritances, or gifts, that must be identified and traced.

Commingling can make this more complicated. For example, separate funds used to acquire or improve property in the marriage may need detailed review to determine how much is still separate and how much has become community. Our role is to help you understand how these concepts may apply in your situation and to work with appropriate financial information to support your position.

High-asset cases often involve a wide range of property types. These may include closely held businesses, professional practices, commercial and residential real estate portfolios, investment accounts, stock options and restricted stock units, retirement and deferred compensation plans, and sometimes interests in trusts or international assets. Each category can raise unique legal and valuation questions under Texas law.

Protecting Businesses & Wealth in Divorce

Business interests can be challenging to address because the court must balance fairness between spouses with the practical need to keep the enterprise functioning. Depending on the circumstances, this might involve negotiated buyouts, structured payments, or offsetting awards of other assets, rather than forced sales. We work to protect business continuity and to avoid unnecessary disruption to employees, clients, and ongoing contracts.

Executives and key employees in Austin’s technology, energy, and professional sectors often receive compensation that is not limited to salary. Equity awards, stock options, restricted stock, and bonuses may all be considered in property division and in support analysis. These forms of compensation can raise questions about vesting, valuation dates, and whether they are tied to past or future services.

Our attorneys regularly analyze these compensation structures in the context of divorce. We consider how courts in Texas have treated similar issues and how timing, plan documents, and employment agreements might affect characterization. This helps us develop strategies that take into account both current values and potential future benefits without overpromising any particular outcome.

Practical steps you can take now to protect your financial interests include:

• Gathering key financial records such as tax returns, bank and investment statements, business financials, and retirement plan information.
• Avoiding major asset transfers, unusual withdrawals, or new debts without legal guidance.
• Making a private list of your primary financial and personal priorities, including business continuity and children’s needs.
• Refraining from discussing sensitive financial details on email or social media, which may be discoverable.

Several of our attorneys are recognized in Doyle's Guide for work in complex property division and forensic accounting, and our firm includes a former chair of a large bar association family law section. This experience helps us anticipate how courts may approach business and wealth issues and informs the strategies we recommend.

Children, Support & Complex Family Needs

Parenting plans in these situations need careful attention. Schedules must account for travel, school calendars, and sometimes international visits. Decision-making authority over education, medical care, and extracurricular activities can become contested, particularly when parents live far apart or have differing views on what is best for their children.

Support issues can also be more involved in higher-income cases. While Texas has guideline formulas for certain types of child support, courts may consider additional needs such as private school tuition, specialized medical care, or therapy. Spousal maintenance may be a factor as well, depending on the length of the marriage, earning capacities, and statutory standards.

Some high-asset cases also involve allegations of substance abuse, mental health conditions, or domestic conflict. These issues can significantly affect custody disputes and may require evaluations, counseling, or detailed protective provisions in orders. Our attorneys regularly handle high-conflict custody matters and understand how to present information to the court in a clear, evidence-based way.

Your Next Steps in a High-Asset Divorce

Helpful steps to consider as you prepare for a high-asset divorce include:

• Collecting recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment statements, and any business financial reports you can access.
• Making a private inventory of major assets and debts, including real estate, retirement accounts, and business interests.
• Thinking about your top priorities, such as remaining in a particular home, preserving a company, or maintaining stability in your children’s school and community.
• Avoiding significant financial or parenting changes without legal advice, especially if a court case has already started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my spouse get part of my business in divorce?

The answer depends on how the interest is characterized under Texas law. The court generally looks at when and how the business was acquired, how it was funded, and what agreements exist. We review these details carefully and work to structure proposals that protect both value and operations.

How private is a high-asset divorce in Austin courts?

Divorce filings in Texas are generally public, but many details are handled through negotiated agreements and confidential exchanges. We work to limit unnecessary publicity, use mediation where appropriate, and focus filings on what the court needs to decide, helping protect sensitive financial and personal information.

Can your team help if my case is very high conflict?

Yes. Our attorneys regularly handle high-conflict custody and property disputes, including cases involving allegations of substance abuse or complex financial misconduct. We use a team-based approach to manage intensive discovery, hearings, and trial preparation, while also exploring settlement options that may reduce stress when possible.

How long does a complex Texas divorce usually take?

Timeframes vary with case complexity, court schedules, and the level of conflict. Some high-asset matters resolve within several months through focused negotiation, while others take longer if extensive discovery or multiple hearings are required. We discuss timing with you early and revisit it as your case progresses.

What should I do before filing for a high-asset divorce?

Before filing, it is wise to consult with counsel, gather key financial records, and think through your priorities regarding children and property. Avoid unusual withdrawals or transfers without advice. Meeting with our team early allows us to help you plan and reduces the risk of unintended consequences.

To speak with our Austin high-asset divorce attorney, call (713) 766-5355 or reach out online.