High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer in Manhattan

New York County Supreme Court, sitting at 60 Centre Street in Manhattan, hears matrimonial actions involving some of the most high-value marital estates in the state, from closely held businesses to multiple real estate holdings and deferred compensation. When substantial assets are part of a Manhattan divorce, characterizing property as marital or separate, valuing hard-to-price interests, and accounting for tax consequences become central to the outcome. New York’s equitable distribution statute, DRL §236(B)(5), directs the court to divide marital property fairly rather than automatically in half, weighing factors that include the difficulty of valuing certain assets or business interests, the liquid or non-liquid character of the marital and separate property, and the tax consequences to each party. Matrimonial actions in New York also require both spouses to complete sworn net worth statements under DRL §236(B), a disclosure obligation that carries particular weight when a marital estate includes business interests, investment portfolios, or property held across multiple locations. Once a summons is filed or served, DRL §236(B)(2)(b) puts self-executing automatic orders in place that restrain both spouses from transferring property, retirement accounts, or insurance coverage, or from incurring unreasonable debt, without written consent or a court order, until the divorce judgment is entered. For a Manhattan resident with a high net worth marital estate, understanding how these statutory provisions apply to a specific set of assets is a useful first step. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients in New York County matrimonial matters and can be reached at (888) 437-7747.

What a High Net Worth Divorce Means in Manhattan

A high net worth divorce in Manhattan is not defined by a fixed dollar threshold under New York law. Rather, it describes a matrimonial action where the marital estate includes assets that are unusually difficult to identify, characterize, or value: closely held businesses, professional practices, executive compensation packages, investment portfolios, art or collectibles, and real estate held in New York and elsewhere. Under DRL §236(B)(1), marital property includes what either spouse acquires during the marriage, while separate property, such as assets owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance from someone other than the spouse, generally remains with its owner. Once property is classified, DRL §236(B)(5) directs the court to distribute the marital portion equitably, considering a list of statutory factors rather than dividing every asset in half.

Three of those factors carry particular weight in a high net worth case. Factor (10) addresses the difficulty of valuing certain assets, such as a closely held business or a professional practice, where reasonable experts can reach different conclusions about fair value. Factor (8) considers whether marital and separate property is liquid or non-liquid, which matters when one spouse holds mostly retirement accounts or business equity while the other holds cash or marketable securities. Factor (11) accounts for the tax consequences of a proposed distribution to each party, since transferring one type of asset can carry a different after-tax value than transferring another of seemingly equal face value.

New York also requires compulsory financial disclosure in every matrimonial action under DRL §236(B), meaning both spouses must file sworn net worth statements. In a high net worth case, this disclosure obligation intersects with the need to identify and value business interests, deferred compensation, and other assets that do not appear on a simple bank statement. The automatic orders that take effect under DRL §236(B)(2)(b) upon filing or service of the summons are also more consequential when a marital estate is large and diversified, since they restrain either spouse from disposing of property, retirement accounts, or insurance coverage, or from incurring unreasonable debt, while the case is pending in New York County Supreme Court.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle High Net Worth Divorce Cases

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work with Manhattan clients to identify the full scope of a marital estate before assets can be classified or valued. In a high net worth matter, that process typically begins with organizing financial records, business interests, and compensation structures to satisfy the sworn net worth statement requirement under DRL §236(B), then evaluating which assets are marital and which may qualify as separate property under DRL §236(B)(1).

Because factor (10) of DRL §236(B)(5) recognizes that certain assets, such as closely held businesses or professional practices, are inherently difficult to value, the firm’s approach includes working alongside financial professionals retained by the client to develop a valuation position that can withstand scrutiny in New York County Supreme Court. The firm also considers factor (8), the liquid or non-liquid character of the marital estate, when discussing how a proposed division might be structured, and factor (11), the tax consequences of a given distribution, when comparing the practical value of different settlement structures to a client.

Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor and the Owner and Founder of the firm, brings a background in accounting and information systems to the review of high-value financial records in matrimonial matters. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys also advise clients on the automatic orders that take effect under DRL §236(B)(2)(b) once a summons is filed or served, including what those restraints do and do not permit while a high net worth case is pending. The firm does not guarantee a particular valuation outcome or division of assets, since equitable distribution in New York depends on the facts of each marital estate and the discretion of the court. Clients with a demanding Manhattan marital estate can request a consultation to discuss how these statutory provisions may apply to their circumstances.

About the Attorney

Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of the firm and a former prosecutor. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris studied at George Mason University, where he built a background in accounting and information systems, a foundation he has applied to demanding financial and technology-related cases throughout his career, including matrimonial matters involving business valuations and layered compensation structures.

The firm was founded in 1997 and has represented clients in matrimonial and family law matters since that time. In addition to Mr. Sris, the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contribute experience across a range of family law matters, including high net worth divorce, equitable distribution, and related financial disclosure issues. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys approach each matrimonial case individually, since no two marital estates present the same combination of assets, income sources, or valuation questions.

The firm does not offer free consultations. Clients in Manhattan and throughout New York County who want to discuss a high net worth divorce can request a consultation to review the facts of their case and how New York’s equitable distribution framework may apply. The firm’s principal office is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and appointments are available by scheduling in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New York divide marital property equally in a divorce?

No. New York follows equitable distribution under DRL §236(B)(5), which directs the court to divide marital property fairly based on the circumstances of the case rather than splitting every asset in half. The court considers statutory factors, including the difficulty of valuing certain assets, the liquid or non-liquid character of the property, and the tax consequences to each party. Separate property, such as assets owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance from someone other than the spouse, generally remains with the spouse who owns it. In a high net worth case, how these factors apply to specific assets can significantly affect the outcome.

What counts as a high net worth divorce in Manhattan?

New York law does not set a specific dollar amount that defines a high net worth divorce. The term generally describes a matrimonial action where the marital estate includes assets that are difficult to identify or value, such as closely held businesses, executive compensation, investment portfolios, or real estate in multiple locations. These cases often require more extensive financial disclosure and, in many instances, input from financial professionals retained by the parties to address valuation questions that a straightforward marital estate would not present.

What are the automatic orders in a New York divorce?

Under DRL §236(B)(2)(b), automatic orders take effect once a matrimonial summons is filed or served, without either spouse needing to request them separately. These orders restrain both spouses from transferring or disposing of marital property, retirement accounts, or insurance coverage, and from incurring unreasonable debt, without the other spouse’s written consent or a court order. The restraints remain in place until the divorce judgment is entered, and they apply automatically in every matrimonial action filed in New York, including those pending in New York County Supreme Court.

Do both spouses have to disclose their finances in a New York divorce?

Yes. DRL §236(B) requires both spouses in a New York matrimonial action to complete and exchange sworn net worth statements. This compulsory financial disclosure applies regardless of the size of the marital estate, but it becomes more involved in a high net worth case, where business interests, deferred compensation, and other high-value holdings must be identified and documented as part of the disclosure process before the court can properly address equitable distribution of the marital property under DRL §236(B)(5).

How does the court value a business in a Manhattan divorce?

New York law recognizes that certain assets, including closely held businesses and professional practices, are difficult to value with precision, which DRL §236(B)(5) lists among the factors a court considers in dividing marital property. Parties in a high net worth divorce often rely on financial professionals to help address these valuation questions as part of the case. Because valuation approaches vary based on the type of business and the available financial records, clients with business interests in a Manhattan divorce may want to discuss their specific situation before assuming how a particular asset might be treated.

Related Pages

• Equitable Distribution Lawyer Manhattan
• Marital Property Division Lawyer Manhattan
• Business Valuation Divorce Lawyer Manhattan
• Alimony Lawyer Manhattan
• Contested Divorce Lawyer Manhattan

This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

Attorney Advertising. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.