What is Considered a Complex Divorce & How to Prepare? 2025

It’s understandable to feel betrayed, confused, and overwhelmed during a divorce, particularly a complex one. You may have a considerable amount at stake, and you may not know the right way to go about protecting it. It’s important to understand what is considered a complex divorce & how to prepare for it. The last thing you want is for your divorce to end with your spouse walking away with everything. An experienced complex divorce lawyer can help you.

Getting divorced can be one of the most difficult situations of your life. Depending on how your marriage ended, your current relationship with your ex-partner, and how much is at stake for you, this could end up being the most challenging hurdle of your life. It’s vital that you reach out to an experienced divorce lawyer who can help you navigate your complex divorce in a way that doesn’t result in a total loss for you. The right lawyer can make all the difference in your case.

What Is Considered a Complex Divorce?

A divorce becomes complex when it involves high-value assets or a spouse with a high net worth. In this divorce, you may be at risk of losing a substantial amount of your assets, business interests, real estate properties, investments, and even stock options. It depends entirely on what is considered community property and whether it was accumulated during the marriage. Complex divorces can be contested or uncontested. They follow the same path as a regular divorce.

According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the divorce rate in California is quite low, at around 9%. However, that doesn’t mean that divorces rarely happen in California. Complex divorces happen all the time, and it’s vital that you take the proper steps to protect yourself if you find yourself dealing with one.

Additionally, you may want to consider reaching out to a local divorce support group, such as DivorceCare. They can help you work through your emotions.

How to Prepare for a Complex Divorce

If you find yourself fighting a complex divorce, there are many different things you can do to try and prepare for it. A complex divorce can become overwhelming very quickly, and it’s vital that you reach out to experienced legal help before things get out of hand for you. Here are some important steps you can take to prepare for a complex divorce:

• Prenuptial agreement: One of the most effective ways to protect yourself in a complex divorce is to have an established prenuptial agreement ready to go. A prenup must be written up prior to the marriage and with both partners’ consent.A prenup outlines the terms of a potential divorce and ensures that your assets are protected if your partner violates certain conditions in the document. Getting a prenup can be difficult if your partner refuses.
• Seek out a lawyer: Your very first move in a complex divorce should be consulting with an experienced divorce lawyer who can help you put together a comprehensive plan. Your lawyer can guide you through the divorce process, help you fight through setbacks as they arise, and give you a brief but strong understanding of the legal process as it applies to you.
• Financial planning: Learning that you are going to get divorced can be eye-opening when it comes to your finances. It may force you to evaluate your assets and appraise your valuables. You may want to consider establishing a budget and making a solid inventory of your separate and community property. Reach out to a financial advisor and assess your total debt. Consider establishing separate bank accounts going forward.

Navigating a complex divorce requires skilled legal guidance and a deep understanding of California family law. Attorney Rod Firoozye, a Certified Family Law Specialist brings over 30 years of experience to every case, offering strategic counsel and a proven track record in handling high-asset divorces, intricate property divisions, and challenging custody disputes. Don’t face a complex divorce alone — contact the Law Offices of Rod Firoozye today to schedule a confidential consultation and put experience on your side.

FAQs

Q: What Makes a Divorce Complicated?

A: There are so many unique factors that make a divorce complicated. Everybody’s divorce is different. Everyone has a different breaking point for their relationship. Divorces are often emotionally devastating, financially draining, unpredictable, and challenging. If there are children involved, things can get even harder to figure out. Divorces trigger stress, mental health issues, and more. Divorces are almost always complicated for a variety of reasons.

Q: Is California a No-Fault Divorce State?

A: Yes, California is a no-fault divorce state. You are not legally obligated to prove your spouse did something wrong in order to file for divorce. If you feel like your marriage has run its course and you no longer love or trust your partner, feel free to file for divorce and initiate the process. Even if your spouse doesn’t want a divorce, there’s nothing they can do to stop it if you want one.

Q: What Assets Cannot Be Touched in a California Divorce?

A: In a California divorce, separate property cannot be touched. Separate property is any property owned by one partner before they got married. Separate property also includes any gifts or inheritances clearly intended for one spouse, even if those gifts or inheritances were granted during the marriage. The only property that will be split equally in a divorce is community property, which is accumulated by both partners during the marriage.

Q: Who Loses Most in a Divorce in California?

A: There is no way to determine which partner will lose the most in a California divorce. Every divorce case is different. Each couple’s journey that led them to divorce is going to be different, too. Depending on certain provable facts, such as one partner using joint funds to pay for an affair or one partner being abusive, the court may grant more favorable terms to the spouse who has been victimized. However, this is never a guarantee.

Reach Out to a Complex Divorce Lawyer Today

Understanding the differences between a regular divorce and a complex divorce can help you be ready to handle your own case if you end up getting divorced. Knowing how to prepare for such a situation can be greatly beneficial if you need it. The right lawyer can help you determine the right course of action for your divorce.

At the Law Offices of Rod Firoozye, we can provide you with the resources you need to preserve your assets in a complex divorce. Contact us to speak to a valued member of our legal team who can help you.