North Carolina High-Net-Worth Divorce Lawyer

Q: How are businesses valued in a North Carolina divorce?

Experts use income, market, or asset approaches. Normalized compensation, discounts (when appropriate), and debt/cash-flow are considered to reach a supportable value.

Q: What if separate property increased during the marriage?

Passive market growth may remain separate; active appreciation tied to marital efforts can be marital. Facts and expert analysis matter.

Q: How are retirement plans divided?

Qualified plans use QDROs; pensions often use coverture approaches; non-qualified plans follow their governing documents with tailored order language.

Q: Will alimony account for bonuses and variable income?

Yes. Courts consider reliable income evidence, bonus history, and practical mechanisms for variable compensation so payments track reality.

Protect complex wealth with clean, enforceable orders. We handle high-asset equitable distribution, business valuation, executive compensation (RSUs, stock options, bonuses), trusts & separate-property tracing, and tax-aware settlements—focused on privacy, speed, and outcomes North Carolina courts and institutions will follow.

Call 336-272-4299

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Your North Carolina High-Net-Worth Divorce Lawyer

Krispen Culbertson, North Carolina family lawyer with 20+ years handling high-asset equitable distribution, business valuations, RSUs/PSUs & stock options, deferred compensation, trust/estate interfaces, and privacy-focused settlements. Weekly District Court calendars and negotiated resolutions statewide.

Memberships: North Carolina State Bar; local family law sections. Courts: District Court calendars statewide with regular hearings in Greensboro/High Point.

Start by situation

Value a business or professional practice

Divide RSUs, stock options, & bonuses

Trace separate property & manage commingling

Handle real estate, vacation homes, & rentals

Divide retirement (QDRO) & deferred comp

High-income alimony strategy

Protect privacy: protective orders & NDAs

Structure a tax-aware settlement

Fast answers

Marital vs. separate: source of funds, dates, and tracing control classification. Active vs. passive appreciation can change what’s divisible.

Business valuation: income, market, and asset approaches; discounts and compensation normalization are case-specific.

Executive comp: grants, vesting, and performance conditions matter. Orders must match plan rules so HR will implement them.

Privacy tools: protective orders, sealed exhibits, and limited access keep sensitive data out of broad circulation.

Business & professional practice valuation

We coordinate with neutral or party experts to select the right valuation approach (income, market, or asset). We address owner compensation normalization, working capital, discounts (where appropriate), and order language banks and plan administrators will honor.

Executive compensation: RSUs, stock options, bonuses

We map grants, vesting schedules, performance metrics, and clawbacks. Orders track plan rules for RSUs/PSUs, non-qualified stock options, carried awards, and bonus timing to avoid implementation problems with HR and transfer agents.

Separate property, trusts, & commingling

We trace separate funds through accounts, address commingling, and distinguish active vs. passive appreciation. Trust and estate interfaces are handled with focused discovery and protective orders to limit disclosure.

Real estate, vacation homes, & rentals

Appraisals, ownership structures, debt, and cash-flow drive outcomes. We design buyouts, sales, or staggered transfers that title companies and lenders can implement cleanly.

Retirement division & deferred compensation

We prepare orders courts and plan administrators will accept: QDROs for qualified plans, proper terms for pensions (including coverture), and practical division methods for NQDC and deferred bonus arrangements.

High-income alimony

We present evidence on income, need, and ability to pay, with attention to taxes, bonuses, and variable comp. Terms balance duration, security, and enforcement so payroll and institutions can follow the order.

Privacy & litigation management

We use protective orders, sealed filings, and limited access to reduce exposure. Discovery is targeted; mediation is prioritized to shorten timelines and control narrative.

Tax-aware settlements

Transfers and divisions may have tax effects depending on assets and timing. We coordinate with CPAs to structure cash vs. equity, installments, and buyouts that align with your tax planning goals.

Documents & proof checklist

5+ years of personal & business tax returns; K-1s, W-2s, 1099s
Brokerage, retirement, equity plan statements; grant & vesting schedules
Business financials (P&L, balance sheet, general ledger summaries)
Real estate deeds, notes, amortization, leases, and appraisals
Trust documents, estate planning instruments (as applicable)
Account statements showing source-of-funds and tracing

Your first 72 hours with our team

1) Asset map & risk scan
Identify businesses, equity, real estate, and privacy needs.

2) Tracing & classification
Separate vs. marital; active vs. passive appreciation.

3) Expert path
Valuation, appraisal, and equity-plan review with protective orders.

4) Temporary terms
Stabilize cash flow, access to accounts, and disclosure timelines.

5) Settlement frame
Tax-aware options, buyouts, QDRO outline, and HR-ready language.

FAQs

How are businesses valued in a North Carolina divorce?

Experts use income, market, or asset approaches. We address normalized compensation, discounts (when appropriate), and debt/cash-flow to reach a supportable value.

Are RSUs and stock options divided even if they aren’t vested?

Often the marital portion is addressed with formulas tied to grant and vesting dates and plan rules, with HR-compliant order language.

What if separate property increased in value during the marriage?

Passive market growth may remain separate; active appreciation tied to marital efforts can be marital—facts and expert analysis matter.

Can we keep details private?

Yes—protective orders, sealed exhibits, and limited access are common in high-asset matters, with targeted discovery and mediation first.

How are retirement plans divided?

Qualified plans use QDROs; pensions often use coverture approaches; non-qualified plans follow their governing documents with tailored order language.