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A great experience with a lawyer, and fairly cheap too. He will always give you all the options, talk you threw the options, and will tell you some odds. He explains any question and doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. The easiest time I had with a lawyer ever. Highly Highly recommend.
I hired Jeremy for my child custody case. He is incredibly knowledgeable but also speaks to you in a way that’s very direct and easy to understand. He was very thorough and always responded quickly. He showed up to trial extremely prepared and always did a good job of helping put my mind at ease. I would absolutely recommend him, and I’ll hire him again in a heartbeat if I ever need anything else.
Jeremy is absolutely amazing!!! Very professional and does a great job of explaining processes. He has done a great job handling all of our family needs!!! High recommend Feitelson Law Firm!!!
Divorce is never simple, but when you own a business, the stakes become significantly higher. Business owners facing divorce in Des Moines must navigate not only the emotional challenges of ending a marriage but also the complex financial implications that threaten their company’s future. Questions about business valuation, ownership rights, and operational continuity can feel overwhelming when added to custody concerns and property division.
Many business owners worry about losing control of the company they built, facing forced buyouts, or watching years of hard work get divided in ways that damage their business operations. Whether you started your business before marriage, grew it during your marriage, or run a company with your spouse, divorce creates unique legal and financial challenges that require careful handling. Without proper legal guidance, you risk undervaluing your business, exposing hidden assets to unfair division, or making agreements that compromise your company’s stability.
At Feitelson Law Firm, we understand what business owners face during divorce proceedings. We recognize that your business represents more than financial value, it embodies years of dedication, provides livelihoods for employees, and secures your family’s future. Our commitment to protecting business owners’ interests means we approach these cases with the strategic thinking and attention to detail that complex asset division demands.
Whether you own a small retail operation in Des Moines, run a professional practice, or manage a manufacturing company, you need an attorney who understands both Iowa family law and business valuation principles. Our business owner’s divorce attorney in Des Moines provides the advocacy and guidance necessary to protect your business while working toward a fair resolution that allows you to move forward with confidence.
Our firm understands that divorces involving business ownership require more than standard family law knowledge. These cases demand familiarity with business valuation methods, tax implications of asset division, and strategies for protecting operational continuity. We stay current with developments in Iowa family law and work with financial professionals when business valuation expertise is needed to ensure accurate assessment of business worth.
Beyond legal knowledge, we recognize the personal investment business owners have in their companies. You didn’t build your business to see it dismantled in divorce proceedings. We take time to understand your business operations, your role in the company, and your goals for maintaining business stability through the divorce process. This understanding allows us to develop strategies tailored to your unique circumstances.
Jeremy Feitelson has guided numerous clients through property division cases involving complex assets. Our approach balances assertive advocacy with practical problem-solving, always keeping your long-term interests in focus. In addition to direct case representation, Jeremy Feitelson serves as a licensed family law mediator in Iowa, providing additional tools for resolving disputes efficiently when appropriate.
Clients appreciate our straightforward communication style and our dedication to keeping them informed throughout their case. We explain legal options clearly, provide honest assessments of business valuation issues, and ensure you understand how Iowa’s equitable distribution laws apply to your business.
Business ownership adds layers of complexity to divorce that most people never anticipate. Unlike dividing bank accounts or real estate, business valuation involves subjective assessments, competing methodologies, and detailed financial analysis. Without qualified legal representation, business owners risk accepting unfair valuations, agreeing to terms that damage business operations, or failing to protect separate property interests.
An experienced attorney protects your interests by ensuring accurate business valuation, identifying which portions of your business qualify as marital versus separate property, and developing strategies that preserve business continuity. We work with forensic accountants and business valuation professionals when needed, coordinate tax planning to minimize financial impact, and negotiate terms that protect your ownership interests while meeting legal requirements for equitable distribution.
Business owners also face unique challenges around income determination for child support and spousal support calculations. Business income can fluctuate, personal and business expenses may overlap, and questions about compensation versus profit distribution require careful analysis. Having an attorney who understands business finances ensures support calculations reflect your true financial situation rather than inflated or inaccurate income assessments.
When you own a business, divorce involves protecting an asset that likely represents your largest investment and primary income source. Iowa follows equitable distribution principles, meaning marital property gets divided fairly, though not necessarily equally, between spouses. Your business may be subject to division depending on when it was established, how it was funded, and whether marital assets or efforts contributed to its growth.
Business valuation becomes central to property division. Courts may consider multiple valuation methods, including asset-based approaches, income approaches, and market comparisons. Factors such as goodwill, intellectual property, client relationships, and growth potential all affect business value. Disputes often arise over whether to value the business as a going concern or based on liquidation value, how to account for owner compensation, and whether to include personal goodwill in the valuation.
Beyond valuation, business owners must address operational concerns. Will you buy out your spouse’s interest? Will the business be sold? Can the company continue operating during lengthy divorce proceedings? These questions have real consequences for employees, clients, and business stability. Strategic planning is essential to protect business operations while satisfying legal requirements.
Business owners also face discovery challenges as financial records, tax returns, and business documents become subject to review. Your spouse’s attorney may request extensive documentation about business operations, potentially exposing sensitive information. We work to protect confidential business information while complying with discovery obligations.
Business owners who had the foresight to establish a prenuptial agreement before marriage often experience significantly smoother divorce proceedings. A well-drafted prenuptial agreement can designate your business as separate property, establish valuation methods in advance, protect business assets from division, and eliminate disputes over business ownership.
When a valid prenuptial agreement exists, divorce becomes cleaner and more predictable. Both parties understand their rights regarding the business from the outset, reducing conflict and legal expenses. The business remains protected as separate property, allowing you to maintain full ownership and control without buyouts or forced sales.
However, prenuptial agreements must meet specific legal requirements to be enforceable in Iowa. They require full financial disclosure, voluntary agreement by both parties, and fair terms at the time of execution. Courts may set aside prenuptial agreements that were signed under duress, fail to disclose assets, or create unconscionable results. Our firm can review existing prenuptial agreements to assess enforceability or help you establish one if you’re remarrying after a divorce.
If you started your business during your marriage, Iowa law generally treats it as marital property subject to division. This doesn’t necessarily mean your spouse receives half ownership, but they likely have a claim to a portion of the business value. The court considers factors like each spouse’s contribution to the business, whether both spouses were involved in operations, the length of the marriage, and each spouse’s financial circumstances when determining fair division.
Even if you were the sole operator and your spouse never worked in the business, their support of the household may have enabled you to build the company. Courts recognize that homemaking contributions and childcare responsibilities can indirectly contribute to business success. However, this doesn’t mean you automatically lose half your business; equitable distribution considers many factors beyond direct business involvement.
Businesses started after marriage require careful documentation of growth, income, and changes in value over time. We help business owners demonstrate business value accurately, negotiate buyout terms that preserve business operations, and explore creative solutions like offsetting business value against other marital assets. Sometimes, keeping the business while your spouse receives other property creates the fairest outcome for both parties.
For businesses started before marriage but grown during the marriage, the analysis becomes more complex. The premarital value typically remains separate property, but appreciation during the marriage may be marital property if marital funds or efforts contributed to growth. Tracing separate and marital property components requires detailed financial analysis and expert testimony in many cases.
Business owner divorces follow Iowa’s standard divorce procedures, but with additional steps for business valuation and complex asset division. The process begins with filing a petition for dissolution of marriage in the appropriate Iowa court. Both parties must provide complete financial disclosure, including detailed business financial statements, tax returns, and documentation of business ownership interests.
Business valuation typically requires hiring professional appraisers who analyze financial records, assess market conditions, and prepare formal valuation reports. This process can take several months, depending on business complexity. Both parties may hire separate valuators, leading to competing valuations that require negotiation or court resolution.
Discovery in business owner divorces is extensive. Expect requests for business formation documents, operating agreements, financial statements, tax returns, bank records, and contracts. Your attorney protects sensitive business information while ensuring compliance with discovery obligations.
Settlement negotiations focus on how to address business interests fairly. Options include one spouse buying out the other’s interest, selling the business and dividing proceeds, or continuing joint ownership post-divorce. Each option has tax implications and practical considerations that require careful evaluation.
If a settlement isn’t reached, the case proceeds to trial, where a judge determines the business value and the appropriate division. Trial preparation requires expert witnesses, detailed financial evidence, and compelling legal arguments about valuation methods and equitable distribution principles.
When your business is at stake, you need an attorney who understands both family law and business principles. At Feitelson Law Firm, we bring 20 years of experience to complex divorce cases involving business ownership. Our approach combines thorough preparation with strategic advocacy, always focusing on practical solutions that protect your business interests.
We work closely with financial professionals to ensure accurate business valuation, coordinate with tax advisors to minimize economic impact, and develop creative solutions that preserve business operations while achieving fair outcomes. Our familiarity with the Des Moines legal community and local courts provides valuable insight into how judges approach business valuation disputes.
Clients value our straightforward communication and commitment to keeping them informed throughout their case. We understand the stress of managing a business while navigating divorce proceedings, and we work efficiently to minimize disruption to your business operations. Our goal is not just to resolve your divorce but to position you for continued business success afterward.
Don’t risk your business’s future by handling a complex divorce without qualified legal representation. The earlier you involve a business owner’s divorce lawyer in Des Moines, the better positioned you’ll be to protect your company and your financial stability.
Contact Feitelson Law Firm today at 515-267-1265 to schedule your consultation. We’ll provide honest answers about business valuation issues, clear guidance on protecting your interests, and dedicated legal support throughout your divorce. Your business matters; let us help you protect it.
Business valuation in divorce cases typically involves hiring a professional appraiser or forensic accountant who specializes in business valuation. These professionals use various methodologies depending on your business type, including asset-based approaches that calculate the value of business assets minus liabilities, income approaches that project future earnings and apply appropriate multipliers, and market approaches that compare your business to similar businesses that have been sold. The valuator examines financial statements, tax returns, client contracts, equipment, intellectual property, and goodwill to determine fair market value. In contentious cases, each spouse may hire their own valuator, which can lead to significantly different valuations. When valuations differ substantially, judges must decide which methodology and conclusions are most credible. Factors like personal goodwill versus enterprise goodwill can also affect valuation. Personal goodwill tied to your individual reputation may not be divisible, while enterprise goodwill belonging to the business itself is typically marital property. Given these complexities, having an attorney who understands business valuation principles is essential. We work with qualified valuation professionals and challenge questionable appraisals to ensure your business is valued fairly and accurately.
A business started before marriage is generally considered separate property in Iowa, but this doesn’t mean it’s completely protected from division. The premarital value of your business typically remains yours, but any appreciation or growth during the marriage may be subject to division as marital property. Courts look at whether marital funds were used to grow the business, whether your spouse contributed labor or expertise to business operations, and whether marital efforts (like your time and energy during the marriage) increased business value. For example, if your business was worth $100,000 when you married and grew to $500,000 during a ten-year marriage, the $400,000 increase might be considered marital property subject to division. The analysis becomes even more complex when business and personal finances are commingled, marital funds are invested in the business, or your spouse sacrifices career opportunities to support your business growth. Protecting your premarital business interest requires detailed documentation tracing separate property, expert testimony about business growth factors, and strong legal arguments distinguishing separate appreciation from marital contributions.
While it’s possible for a court to order a business sale, judges generally prefer alternatives that preserve business operations and livelihoods. Forced sales are typically a last resort when no other equitable division method exists. More commonly, courts use buyout arrangements where you purchase your spouse’s interest in the business over time, offsetting arrangements where you keep the business while your spouse receives other marital assets of equivalent value, or structured settlements where you pay your spouse their share through periodic payments rather than a lump sum. The court’s decision depends on factors like whether the business can continue operating if sold, whether you have sufficient liquid assets or income to buy out your spouse’s interest, whether your spouse has legitimate claims to business ownership, and what’s most equitable given all marital assets and debts. If you’re concerned about protecting your business from forced sale, early consultation with a lawyer experienced in property division is critical. We can help you explore creative solutions that protect your business while achieving fair division of marital property.
Employment in a family business doesn’t automatically create ownership rights, but it does complicate divorce proceedings. If your spouse was merely an employee receiving regular wages, they typically don’t have ownership claims beyond their share of marital property generally. However, if your spouse was actively involved in building or managing the business without formal compensation, courts may consider their contributions when dividing marital assets. The analysis considers whether your spouse was a co-founder or equal partner regardless of formal titles, whether they worked in the business without market-rate compensation, whether their efforts significantly increased business value, and whether they sacrificed other career opportunities to support the business. Iowa courts recognize that contributions to a family business, even without ownership titles, may create equitable claims to business value. Additionally, if your spouse continues working in the business post-divorce, questions arise about ongoing compensation, business decision-making authority, and how to separate business relationships from personal dissolution. These situations benefit from careful legal planning and, when possible, mediation to address both business and personal concerns. Our firm helps business owners navigate these sensitive situations while protecting business operations and family relationships where possible.
Business income creates unique challenges for support calculations because it’s often variable, discretionary expenses may blur personal and business spending, and owners can manipulate income through various accounting decisions. Courts look beyond simple salary or draw amounts to determine true income available for support. They examine business tax returns to identify personal expenses run through the business, evaluate whether business reinvestment is necessary or discretionary, assess distributions, bonuses, and perks that constitute income, and consider whether your compensation is reasonable for your role or artificially low. If you’re a business owner paying support, courts ensure calculations reflect actual income capacity rather than manipulated figures. If you’re receiving support from a business owner spouse, we work to uncover hidden income and ensure child support and spousal support calculations reflect true financial resources. Business income analysis often requires forensic accountants who can trace cash flow, identify inconsistencies, and present clear pictures of available income. Both business owner payors and recipients need attorneys who understand business finances to ensure fair support determinations.
Yes, this is a legitimate concern in Iowa divorce cases. Courts recognize that indirect contributions to a business can be just as valuable as direct involvement. Your spouse may argue they supported the household financially while you built the business, provided childcare that allowed you to focus on business growth, sacrificed their own career advancement for your business success, or provided emotional support and advice that contributed to your success. These arguments carry weight in Iowa’s equitable distribution system. The court considers the length of the marriage and timing of business growth, each spouse’s contributions to the marriage overall, opportunities your spouse gave up to support your business endeavors, and the standard of living your business success provided during marriage. This doesn’t mean your spouse automatically gets half your business, but it may affect how marital property is divided overall. Courts might award your spouse a larger share of other marital assets to offset your business interest, or order you to buy out a calculated percentage of business value representing marital contributions. Strong documentation of business development, clear records separating business and marital finances, and compelling legal arguments about contribution and value are essential. Our firm helps business owners present complete pictures of business development while acknowledging legitimate spousal contributions appropriately.
Business debts and liabilities require the same careful analysis as business assets. In Iowa, marital debts are divided equitably just like marital assets. If business debts were incurred during the marriage for legitimate business purposes, they’re typically considered marital obligations subject to division. However, complications arise when determining whether business debts are truly business-related or personal in nature, whether debt was incurred to benefit the marital estate or just one spouse’s interests, who will be responsible for debt repayment post-divorce, and how business debt affects overall property division calculations. If you’re keeping the business, you’ll likely be responsible for business debts going forward, but your spouse may need to share responsibility for debts incurred during marriage. Personal guarantees on business loans create additional concerns, even if your spouse isn’t assigned business debt in divorce, creditors may still pursue them if they co-signed loans. We work to protect clients from unfair debt allocation and ensure business liabilities are addressed clearly in divorce settlements. If business debts exceed business value, this creates negative equity that factors into overall property division. Don’t overlook debt issues when negotiating divorce settlements, they can be just as important as asset division. Contact us at 515-267-1265 to ensure business debts are handled properly in your divorce.
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