As a business owner and divorcee, Robin Becker personally understands the emotional aftermath and the financial impact of a divorce. When Illinois couples divorce, they must decide how to divide any businesses fairly. As Robin knows, business owners feel that they have put time and hard work into the growth. That devotion of time is a contribution that one can never get back. Because of her personal experience, she does her best to use the law to help business owners communicate that contribution to judges. Furthermore, she fights for as fair a result as the law will provide. Robin is experienced in divorce for business owners in Chicago and Chicago Suburbs.
Some Ways to Protect your Business in a Divorce:
- Creating a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
- Maintaining documentation that shows you started the business with non-marital assets
- Tracking the historical growth
- Identifying the contributions of nonmarital resources
- Categorizing income from profit
- Explaining tax issues
- Categorizing expenses
What many business owners do not realize is that judges are not experts in this area of the law. Therefore, it is important to clarify and simplify the business numbers with your attorney in order to achieve the fairest result. As a business owner and a former financial adviser, Robin helps her business owner clients communicate these details to the courts, which ensures her clients feel as protected as possible.
If you were married to a business owner, you probably invested your energy and even finances in its success. You may be wondering what legal remedies are available to you to reflect your contribution. Luckily, in Illinois, courts follow an equitable distribution model. If your partner established the business during your marriage or used marital assets, you are an equal stakeholder. As a former financial advisor, Robin can conduct the forensic work necessary to ensure you receive a fair contribution. For example, here are some ways in which the business may be divided:
- Firstly, the spouses sell the business and divide the profits and losses.
- Secondly, the couple carry on as business partners.
- Thirdly, one spouse buys out the other’s share.
Contact an Experienced Divorce Attorney Focused on Helping Business Owners
Robin Becker can help facilitate the valuation of the business; she can conduct the forensic work necessary to determine assets and liabilities. Additionally, she can help ensure that your spouse is fully disclosing the business’ finances. In order to proceed with any of the potential options listed above, it is important to have an experienced attorney who understands divorce for business owners in Chicago and Chicago suburbs. Moreover, Robin can also mediate a business division offer that is fair, but also fiercely advocate for you in court if need be. Robin Becker has successfully represented business owners in Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, Kendall County, McHenry County, and other Chicagoland areas. If you are a business owner going through a divorce, contact Robin Becker today.