Yang Law Offices
High-Asset Divorce Attorney in California
High-Net-Worth Divorce: Protecting Businesses, Equity, and Digital Assets
Complex Property Division Handled with Engineering Precision — English & 中文
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High-Asset Divorce in California: What to Expect and How We Help
A high-net-worth divorce is, at its core, a complex valuation and characterization problem with a family at the center of it. Business interests, executive compensation, real estate, retirement accounts, and digital assets each follow different rules, and small mistakes in how they are valued or traced can cost you a great deal. We bring an engineer’s precision and a business lawyer’s depth to make sure everything is found, valued correctly, and divided fairly under California law.
Business & Practice Valuation
Closely held companies and professional practices are often the largest asset in the marriage. We work with valuation experts on goodwill, apportion separate and community interests where a business grew during the marriage, and structure buyouts that keep the company intact.
RSUs, Stock Options & Equity Compensation
Vested and unvested equity is frequently mischaracterized or overlooked. We apply California’s time-rule formulas to divide RSUs and stock options based on when they were granted and vest, so future compensation is split accurately rather than by guesswork.
Tracing, Hidden Assets & Crypto Forensics
Separate property has to be traced through years of commingled accounts, and not every asset is disclosed. We reconstruct the paper trail, and when cryptocurrency or other digital assets are involved, we work with blockchain forensic specialists to follow the money others cannot.
A high-asset divorce is a complex valuation problem with a family at the center of it. My engineering training taught me to find what others miss, and that is exactly what protects my clients.
What makes us different.
Most family law attorneys are not equipped for the financial complexity of a high-net-worth divorce. Elizabeth Yang is. A UC Berkeley engineer and former NASA JPL scientist who also built a business and intellectual property practice, she reads a balance sheet, a cap table, and a blockchain ledger the way most attorneys read a pleading. That combination — engineering precision, real business and IP experience, and a modern grasp of digital assets — is why sophisticated clients and their advisors trust us with what matters most. We serve clients across California in English & 中文.
Call Now, I’m ListeningFrequently asked questions
What makes a divorce “high-asset” or “high-net-worth” in California?
It is less about a dollar threshold and more about complexity. Once a marriage involves a business, executive equity, multiple properties, significant investments, or digital assets, the division requires expert valuation and careful characterization. California is a community property state, so the goal is an accurate split of what the marriage built, which is harder than it sounds when the assets are complex.
How is a business or professional practice divided in a California divorce?
The business is valued, usually with a forensic or valuation expert, including its goodwill. If the business was started before marriage but grew during it, California uses apportionment methods (the Pereira and Van Camp approaches) to separate the community and separate property shares. In most cases one spouse keeps the business and buys out the other’s interest, rather than selling.
How are RSUs and stock options divided?
Equity compensation is divided using time-rule formulas that look at when the equity was granted and when it vests, to decide how much is community property. Options and RSUs granted for past work are treated differently from those meant to retain the employee going forward. Getting this characterization right is where a lot of value is won or lost.
What if I believe my spouse is hiding assets, including cryptocurrency?
California spouses owe each other a fiduciary duty of full disclosure under Family Code section 1101. A spouse who hides an asset can be ordered to pay the other 50% of its highest value, and if the concealment involved fraud, up to 100% of it.
How do I protect my separate property in a high-asset divorce?
Separate property (assets owned before marriage, or received by gift or inheritance) stays yours, but only if it can be traced and has not been so commingled that it lost its character. We reconstruct the history of accounts and property, apply reimbursement rules such as Family Code section 2640 and the Moore/Marsden analysis for community contributions to a separate home, and document everything the court needs to protect what is rightfully yours.
testimonials
Client Testimonials
Sarah C.
A complex child custody case
“ I had a very complicated custody case that many lawyers refused to take on. Elizabeth Yang was the only lawyer that took my call and listened to what my circumstances were. A judge granted full custody to the other party because of a practically default ruling where I had been absent for the majority of the hearings. The odds were stacked against me, but we won! My case was given to Ken, an intelligent and highly capable lawyer that respectfully court session after court session, won over the judge’s opinion. We were granted a mediator that will look into our case and decide what is best for my son and our family. This law firm is involved, dedicated, and professional. They understand the law but they also understand the personal side of how court affects someone mentally and emotionally. I am so thankful that every lawyer before them turned me down. I was forced to pick the firm that listened, cared, and won. Sarah C.
Russel R
Father’s rights and child custody
“ Wow I am so glad I came across this law firm on yelp. Best father rights law firm in California. James is the best child custody lawyer period. Says how it is. Super sharp and wise. For anyone who is accused of child abuse let him help you. Father’s have rights!!!! James you are an angel Russel R
Winnie W.
Guidance through divorce
“ What I love most about Elizabeth is her heart and her positivity. Let’s be real here, a divorce is not just a legal case, it feels like the rug is pulled from underneath you and I love that I feel loved and cared for by Elizabeth during the divorce process. She has published a lot of books, advocating this concept called “socially married” which really shows that she is not a lawyer who wants my money but wants to help me become the happiest and strongest person. I am really thankful to her guidance during my divorce . Winnie W.
Danthu P.
Legal advice and professional trust
“ I have known Elizabeth as a woman of trust and integrity in her profession. We met initially when she came to speak at my college back when I was still a college student and she has empowered me as a young woman to stand up for justice. When I needed her support legally and understanding as an educator for my young students who came from low socioeconomic backgrounds, she always call right away to understand my situation and give heloful advice for me so that I can feel assured of the tough decisions I had to make. Her office has been practicing business, family law and estate planning, in which I will continue to have her assistance in. She is also experienced in drafting patent validity opinion letters, requests for reexamination, intellectual property licensing agreements, and trademark consent agreements. In regard to family law, Elizabeth further has extensive experience dealing with family law issues involving child custody, child support, alimony , asset division, pre-nuptial agreements, and post-nuptial agreements. Danthu P.
Isabel G.
Family court and coparenting
“ This is an overdue review of the experience I had with Elizabeth Yang. Having a family court case is one of the most stressful things a family can experience. There was a lot of high conflict in mine with coparenting issues and a need for a suitable custodial arrangement. Child support and support for health insurance services were also a part of our case. Throw a special needs child in the middle and there is a lot to review, a lot of information to weed through, and important strategies and needs to consider. I always appreciated that Elizabeth and Elaine always made sure to include all my requests and complaints into smart and succinct dispositions/arguments for the court. Having a lot of experience with other attorneys, I can say that Elizabeth stayed focused on the facts of the case. She understood I needed help in advocating for our family needs and was on top of it. A lot of attorneys waste your time and money and you go in circles repeating the same information. I didn’t experience that here. In addition, I retained Elizabeth’s services while I was a graduate student. She has been beyond patient with my payment plan. She is an empathetic woman who is focused and wants to help you and is confident in court. I would definitely recommend her for your family court case if you find yourself in that unfortunate need. Isabel G.
Still not convinced?
When significant assets are on the line, the cost of the wrong attorney is not measured in fees, it is measured in what you walk away without. You do not have to decide today whether to hire us. You only have to decide to get a clear, confidential read on where you stand, what is at stake, and how it can be protected under California law. That conversation is the smartest first move you can make.
Contact Us
Call Now: (877) 492-6452 or send an inquiry.
Our locations.
Yang Law Offices lists these four Southern California locations.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Open Monterey Park in Google Maps 555 S Flower St., 51st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Open Los Angeles in Google Maps La Palma Center 2187, 6 Centerpointe Drive Suit 700
La Palma, CA 90623
Open La Palma in Google Maps 388 Cordova St., Unit 100C
Pasadena, CA 91101
Open Pasadena in Google Maps