Port Charlotte High-Net-Worth Divorce Lawyer

Port Charlotte High-Net-Worth Divorce Attorney

The divorce process can be an emotional, stressful, and challenging process to go through. This is even more so for high-net-worth couples who have complex assets such as multiple real estate properties, shared business holdings, and high-dollar investments. In these cases, a Port Charlotte high-net-worth divorce lawyer at Ruhl Law, P.A., can assist with dividing complex asset portfolios in a fair and equitable way.

What Is Considered a High-Net-Worth Divorce in Florida?

A divorce in Florida is considered high net worth if the estate’s total assets are worth $1 million or more.

What makes high-asset divorces so much more complex than standard divorces is the amount of high-dollar assets that are normally involved. Ranging from real estate to investments to family heirlooms, the handling of these significant financial assets requires a Port Charlotte divorce lawyer with experience navigating Charlotte County’s divorce courts and protecting their clients’ interests.

Divorce Is Quite Common in Florida

Unfortunately, divorce is not uncommon in Florida, and our state continues to have one of the highest divorce rates in the nation. In 2023, there were three divorces for every 1,000 women in Florida.

And with about 5.1% of Florida’s population now made up of millionaires, high-net-worth divorce cases are becoming more and more common.

How Are Assets Divided in a High-Net-Worth Divorce in Florida?

No matter the worth of your estate, all divorces — high net worth or not — follow Florida’s “equitable distribution” laws as cited under Florida Statutes Section 61.075 (2025). Equitable distribution means that judges in the 20th Judicial Circuit Court (with courthouses in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties) aim for a fair asset split with a goal of making the divide as close to 50/50 as possible.

High-net-worth divorce cases usually have intricate and diverse portfolios with high-dollar assets, including: 

• Business interests and ownership
• Intellectual property, like trademarks, copyrights, and patents
• Investments such as stocks, bonds, hedge funds, and mutual funds
• Life insurance policies
• Liquid assets, including bank accounts, high-yield savings accounts, offshore accounts, and cash
• Luxury items like cars, boats, airplanes, family heirlooms, art, and jewelry
• Real estate properties, including homes — both in the United States and abroad — and rental properties
• Retirement assets, including 401(k)s, pensions, and IRAs
• Shared debt

While judges aim toward a 50/50 distribution of assets, such a division can be difficult to do, because certain factors may cause the court to come to decisions based more on fairness, such as:

• Contributions to a spouse’s education or career
• Earning capabilities of each spouse
• Fault-based divorce due to abuse, adultery, abandonment, felony conviction, or substance abuse
• Intentional hiding or destruction of assets
• Marriage duration
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
• Both spouses’ financial contributions during the marriage

Why Should I Hire a High-Net-Worth Divorce Lawyer?

High-net-worth divorce cases have more complex assets than a standard divorce, and these assets require more detailed handling that a Port Charlotte high-net-worth divorce attorney can provide.

Your high asset divorce lawyer can help by: 

• Filing all necessary paperwork, including financial disclosures, tax returns, business records, and estate planning documents
• Carefully reviewing prenuptial/postnuptial agreements
• Soliciting financial specialists to provide you with the fair market value for all assets
• Bringing in a tax attorney or CPA to determine a sound tax strategy and help minimize potential tax penalties
• Seeking out and uncovering any hidden assets
• Formally requesting spousal support, or alimony
• Representing you in court and negotiating on your behalf
• Assisting with child custody arrangements

FAQs About Port Charlotte, FL High-Net-Worth Divorce Law

Are There Any Assets That Are Not Included in a High-Net-Worth Divorce?

In Florida, there are a few types of assets that may not be included in a high-net-worth divorce. These include property and other assets that a spouse owned before being married, inheritance or gifts given specifically to one spouse and were not obtained as part of the marriage, and anything specifically outlined in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

How Is Spousal Support Addressed in a Port Charlotte High-Asset Divorce?

Spousal support, or alimony, is addressed in a high-asset divorce the same as it would be in any divorce. According to Florida Statute Section 61.08 (2025), alimony is not permanent, and the amounts are generally set depending on the length of the marriage. For instance, for marriages under 10 years, alimony is capped at 50%, and for long-term marriages of 20 or more years, it is capped at 75%.

How Long Does a High-Net-Worth Divorce Case Take in Florida?

How long a high-net-worth divorce takes in Florida is all dependent upon your specific case, its complexity, and how easy it is for each spouse to negotiate and come to asset division decisions. Generally speaking, high asset divorce cases can take anywhere between six months and over two years to finalize. During your initial consultation with your Port Charlotte high-net-worth divorce lawyer, they’ll provide you with an estimate on how long your case may take.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a High-Net-Worth Divorce Lawyer in Port Charlotte?

How much it costs to hire a Port Charlotte high-net-worth divorce attorney all depends on your specific divorce case and how much is involved. Cases with many high-dollar assets, division disputes, or litigation in court generally cost more than high asset divorces that are amicable, and both parties are in agreement with how assets are divided. Your high-net-worth divorce lawyer can provide you with a fee estimate upon your initial consultation.

Speak With One of Our Port Charlotte High-Net-Worth Divorce Attorneys Today

Although there are no specific high-net-worth divorce laws in Florida, these types of divorces include much larger asset portfolios than a standard divorce, requiring a Port Charlotte high-net-worth divorce attorney experienced in handling high-dollar cases.

With more than 15 years of family law experience, Ruhl Law, P.A., is skilled in handling complicated, high-stakes divorce cases. Our legal team provides your case with the personal attention it deserves, guiding you through the divorce process while offering our advice and strategies to advocate for your interests.

Call our office today to learn more about our high-net-worth divorce services.