You have poured your heart and soul into your business venture, and now you are getting a divorce. If you have concerns about losing all your hard work to your wife, you are not alone. A company is often one of the most valuable assets in a divorce. You do not want to see it all go away during the property division process.
Is it possible to protect your business in a divorce? Yes, it is. Here are some strategies for safeguarding your company while you dissolve your marriage.
1. Rely on a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
If you and your soon-to-be ex-wife have any marital agreements in place, there may be provisions that help you keep your business intact. Marital contracts can help you determine what parts of your business are separate property and marital property. According to Business.com, signing a marital agreement is an effective way to protect your business income during divorce.
2. Give yourself a competitive salary
Avoid reinvesting everything back into your company. If you do this, your wife may try to claim that she deserves more because your money did not go toward the household and she did not get any benefit. Instead, just pay yourself a reasonable amount.
3. Pay off your wife
If your wife remains entitled to ownership interest, you can pay her off by using these strategies:
- Giving her other marital assets, such as cash, real estate, stocks or retirement funds
- Selling the business and dividing the sales price
- Making a long-term payout via a property settlement note
Your wife may have more of a desire for other assets than the business, so explore your other options if you want to hold onto your company without sharing any of it.
Getting a divorce can have significant implications for your business. Try these strategies to keep your business unharmed in your marriage dissolution.
