Greensboro High Net Worth Lawyer

Q: How are stock options and RSUs divided?

Courts use time-based formulas with grant and vest dates against the separation date. Payouts follow plan rules with tax withholding; statements are shared on vest.

Q: Will I have to sell my business?

Often no. Courts frequently approve buyout structures with interest, security, and remedies for late payment so the business can continue.

Q: Can we keep financials private?

Targeted discovery, redactions, protective orders, and secure exchange limit exposure while meeting court requirements.

Q: How do trusts and inheritances factor in?

They are generally separate property, but tracing, commingling, and distributions can affect classification. We review instruments and records to define the actual interest.

Culbertson and Associates > Greensboro High Net Worth Lawyer

Greensboro High Net Worth Lawyer

Complex divorce and high-asset family cases in Greensboro and Guilford County: business valuations, stock compensation, trusts, real estate portfolios, and tax-aware settlements.

Call 336-272-4299

Book a confidential consult

Your High Net Worth Attorney

Krispen Culbertson, Greensboro high net worth lawyer, practicing in Guilford County District Court for 20+ years. Focus on business-owner and executive matters, stock options and RSUs, trusts and separate property tracing, confidentiality and protective orders, and tax-aware settlement structures.

Memberships: North Carolina State Bar; local family law section. Courts: Greensboro and High Point District Court calendars.

Fast answers

Equitable Distribution applies in North Carolina. We classify assets as marital, separate, or divisible, then value and distribute with clear findings.

Date of separation is the key snapshot for most valuations and classifications.

Stock compensation (options/RSUs/PSUs) uses grant/vest schedules to define the marital portion; payouts track employer plan rules and taxes.

Business interests require a practical valuation file—returns, P&Ls, reasonable comp—and workable buyout terms.

Privacy tools include protective orders, redactions, and document-sharing protocols that safeguard sensitive data.

Tax-aware orders coordinate QDROs, basis, withholdings, and liquidity so banks and plan administrators can follow them.

What we handle for high-asset families in Greensboro

Business owner divorce: valuation, reasonable compensation, cash-flow modeling, and buyout/security terms
Executive compensation: stock options, RSUs/PSUs, ESPP, deferred comp, and bonus patterns
Trusts & separate property: tracing, commingling, growth, and distributions
Real estate portfolios: primary, vacation, rentals, passive losses, and cost-seg timing
Retirements & pensions: QDROs, survivor elections, and plan pre-approval
Crypto & private investments: wallets, K-1s, capital accounts, SAFEs, and options
Interim restraints and marital waste claims; asset-freeze provisions
Confidentiality protocols, protective orders, and limited access to sensitive files
Tax-aware settlements: basis, gains, withholdings, estimated taxes, and liquidity
Mediation & trial strategy tailored to Guilford County District Court calendars

Business owners and professional practices

What the court expects

Tax returns, P&Ls, balance sheets, payroll summaries, and reasonable compensation analysis
Normalization of add-backs and one-time items; distinction between enterprise and personal goodwill
Buyout schedules with interest, security, and remedies for late payment
Cost-controlled valuation: accurate numbers without unnecessary expense

Stock options, RSUs, PSUs, and bonuses

Grant–vest formula defines the marital portion for unvested awards using grant date, vest date, and separation date
Payout logistics: employer-plan rules, withholding, and net-share delivery; statements shared on vest
Performance awards: treatment of targets, clawbacks, and changes in plan terms

Trusts, separate property, and tracing

Identify separate vs marital interests; handle commingling and passive growth
Review trust instruments, distribution histories, and spendthrift provisions
Set practical rules for future reporting where needed

Privacy, confidentiality, and protective orders

We use scoped discovery, redactions, protective orders, and secure exchange to protect sensitive financials, trade information, and personal data. Hearings focus on what the court needs—no more, no less.

Discovery, forensics, and asset restraints

Accountings from banks, brokerages, equity plan administrators, and custodians
Forensic review of transfers and marital waste claims
Interim restraints that prevent loans against retirement or asset dissipation

Tax-aware orders that work

QDRO coordination for ERISA and government plans; survivor elections for pensions
Basis tracking for portfolios and real-estate sales
Schedules for estimated tax and withholding changes tied to support

Your first 72 hours with our team

Intake & case map
Confirm separation date, urgent cash needs, and any standing orders in Guilford County District Court.

Document pull
Business financials, brokerage and retirement statements, equity award summaries, real-estate schedules, tax returns, K-1s, and trust records.

Early safeguards
Protective order language, asset restraints, and a secure exchange protocol.

Numbers on one page
Property spreadsheet, income picture, and a mediation target range.

Orders that stick
Draft terms banks, payroll, and plan administrators can follow on day one.

Call 336-272-4299

Contact us

Local courts and calendars

High-asset cases in this area are heard in Guilford County District Court with courtrooms in Greensboro and High Point. Many matters resolve by consent after document exchange and mediation. When a hearing is required, we present a tight record on classification, value, cash flow, and fair distribution.

Evidence checklist

Tax returns (personal and business), K-1s, W-2/1099, pay histories and bonus letters
Brokerage, bank, crypto, and retirement statements (near separation and current)
Equity award summaries: option/RSU/PSU grant and vest schedules, plan documents
Business financials: P&L, balance sheet, payroll, fixed assets, and reasonable-comp analysis
Real estate: deeds, mortgages/HELOC, taxes, insurance, rent rolls, and appraisals/CMAs
Trust instruments and distribution histories
Any evidence of marital waste or unusual transfers

Visit Our Greensboro Office

Culbertson & Associates
315 Spring Garden St Ste #300, Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 272-4299
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

FAQs

What counts as a high net worth divorce?

Cases with complex assets—business interests, stock compensation, multiple properties, trusts, or large portfolios—where valuation, taxes, and confidentiality matter.

How are stock options and RSUs divided?

Using a time-based formula that allocates the marital portion by grant and vest dates against the separation date. Payouts follow employer plan rules with taxes handled at vest.

Will I have to sell my business?

Not usually. Courts often prefer a buyout structure with security and clear payment terms if one spouse keeps the company.

Can we keep financials private?

We use targeted discovery, redactions, protective orders, and secure exchange to limit exposure while meeting court requirements.

How do trusts and inheritances factor in?

They are often separate property, but tracing, commingling, and distributions can create issues. We review instruments and records to define the true interest.

What is marital waste?

Spending or transfers for non-marital purposes that reduce the estate. Courts can fix it with findings and a distributive award.

Do we use experts?

When helpful: valuation analysts, appraisers, forensic accountants, and QDRO consultants—focused engagement to keep costs proportional.

Can we settle without trial?

Often, yes. Early document exchange and mediation resolve many high-asset cases with consent orders the clerk can enter.

Why Greensboro clients choose Culbertson & Associates

20+ years in complex, high-asset family matters
Regular calendars in Guilford County District Court
Practical valuation workups and clean, tax-aware orders (with QDRO coordination)
Confidentiality protocols that protect sensitive data
Settlement first where sensible; focused trial work when required