texas attorney Archives - Tessmer Law Firm

Experts In A High Asset Divorce

Tessmer LF — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 16:29:07 +0000

What types of experts could be called in to help with a high-asset divorce?

A high-asset divorce can be among the most complex family law matters. It is important that knowledgeable and qualified experts are consulted to protect your assets, interests, and rights. Forensic accountants, professional appraisers, financial and wealth managers, tax consultants, pension valuation experts, and business evaluators are just some of the qualified professionals that your attorney could bring in to help with your case. Many of these experts will not only advise you on the next steps or ensure equitable distribution, but as an expert, their expertise will hold up in court. Below is a quick description of these qualified experts and the role they may play in your case.

Forensic Accountants

A forensic accountant will dive into the financials within your marriage, seeking information that can be used in court. Some of the information they may uncover includes income, tax returns, assets, bank statements, or credit card statements.

Professional Appraisers

A professional appraiser will conduct an assessment regarding the value of any marital estate, including real estate and personal property. This ensures the party receives their fair share in the divorce settlement, backed by expert evidence.

Financial and Wealth Managers

With all the changes divorce entails, especially financially, a wealth manager will give you advice on financial planning and investment management. Within financial planning, they will help you articulate a plan regarding your spending needs in the present or future. With investment management, they will help you articulate a long-term goal regarding your investments and how you can achieve that goal.

Tax Consultants

A tax consultant will advise and help manage tax issues in relation to your divorce, such as the division of assets.

Pension Valuation Experts

A pension value expert will evaluate and divide your pension (your retirement plan) in a just and equitable manner. These experts are impartial and will provide their expert opinion, with the goal of an unbiased and fair division.

Business Evaluators

If you or your ex, or soon-to-be ex, own a business or business interest, a business evaluator will determine the value and ensure equitable distribution of these assets.

If you have questions about a high asset divorce or any other legal matter, schedule a confidential consultation with one of our attorneys by clicking here or calling us at 210-368-9708.

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Tessmer Tips for New Business Startups

Tessmer LF — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Are you an entrepreneur with a dream?

If you are considering starting your own business, there are legalities to consider. For the next two weeks, we will discuss some of the points you may want to think about before you hang that “OPEN” sign.

Before you start your business, decide on an ownership structure. Ownership structures legally establish a company as an official business. Common structures, such as partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations provide business owners with legal protection. An appropriate business structure not only offers certain tax benefits, but it also provides business owners with personal protection against lawsuits or liability claims from clients or other parties.

The Attorneys at Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC will help you understand the various entity choices, prepare and file all of the documents necessary to comply with Texas law and properly set up your organization.

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Divorce Mediation in Texas

Tessmer LF — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 21:26:07 +0000

Divorce Mediation Is An Important Part Of The Divorce Process In Texas!

Divorce mediation involves a neutral party (the Mediator) working with a divorcing couple to help them reach an agreement on the issues in their case. The issues can be about child support, custody and visitation, dividing property, and spousal support. A Mediator is not a judge. He or she helps the couple reach a voluntary agreement.

Many Texas counties require that a divorcing couple attempt divorce mediation before going to a final hearing, Bexar County included.

Divorce mediation has its benefits. Some include:

It has a high success rate in resolving issues, especially when both parties are reasonable;
It puts the divorcing couple in control and gives them the flexibility to resolve their issues;
It improves communication between the divorcing spouses; and
Sometimes, you can’t come to an agreement on all issues. But, it helps if a judge sees that you did try to work out some things. This always works in your favor.

Divorce mediation can take up to a full day to come to an agreement. It rarely takes longer, but sometimes a couple will need more than one session with the Divorce Mediator. It all depends on the issues there are and how far apart the couple is on what they want and what they believe is fair.

At Tessmer Law Firm, we attend Mediation with our Clients to ensure that everything agreed upon is fair and in the best interests of our Client and their children.

There are specific Divorce Mediators approved by the Court that we use. The session is normally held in the Divorce Mediator’s office, but sometimes takes place at one of the Attorney’s offices. Once everyone is set up, the Divorce Mediator visits with each side and learns about their wishes and needs. The Divorce Mediator acts as a go-between, helping the divorcing spouses (with their Attorney’s input) reach a mutual compromise on the issues involved in their divorce.

Once everything is worked out, the Divorce Mediator puts it in writing.

We call this a Mediated Settlement Agreement. The divorcing spouses, the Attorneys, and the Divorce Mediator sign and date the Mediated Settlement Agreement. The Attorneys use the Mediated Settlement Agreement to draft the Final Decree of Divorce, which will be presented to the court for the Judge’s signature and filing. The couple can be divorced any time after the Mediated Settlement Agreement is completed. The Agreed Final Decree of Divorce will still need to be prepared and presented for the Judge’s signature.

Sometimes Divorce Mediation does not work. Sometimes the divorcing couple agrees to most, but not every issue. In this case, they go to court, where a Judge will make the final decision on anything the spouses cannot agree on. The less the Judge has to decide, the faster the process goes, and the happier the Judge is!

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