Divorce is difficult for any family, but when significant assets are involved, the process tends to get more complicated. It’s worth saying plainly: being part of a wealthy household in Michigan doesn’t mean different divorce laws apply. The same statutes and case law govern every divorce in the state. What changes in a high net worth divorce isn’t the law itself; it’s the complexity of what has to be identified, valued, and divided.
Business interests, multiple accounts, real estate holdings, and sometimes assets that one spouse doesn’t even know exist can all come into play. This guide covers what to expect if you’re heading into a high-net-worth divorce in Michigan.
Why High Net Worth Divorces Are More Complicated
The added complexity in a high net worth divorce almost always traces back to business ownership and the accounts tied to it. When one spouse owns or has an interest in a business, business accounts often need to be examined as part of the divorce, and untangling business assets from personal or marital assets can take real time and effort.
It’s also common for one spouse to have limited visibility into the couple’s full financial picture. Clients sometimes acknowledge that while they know the household has significant wealth, they genuinely don’t know where all of it is held. When that happens, the discovery process becomes the tool for finding out.
That said, discovery in a high-net-worth case shouldn’t turn into an unfocused fishing expedition. The better approach is to build discovery requests around what the client already knows or suspects, and to keep those requests as specific and efficient as possible rather than demanding everything under the sun. A targeted approach tends to get better results and keeps the case moving.
The Role of Forensic Accountants
Forensic accountants often play an important role in Michigan high-net-worth divorces, particularly when a business is part of the marital estate. Their job is to value the divorce-related assets accurately, which becomes especially important when one spouse owns a professional business, such as a dental practice or another closely held company.
In some cases, a spouse engaged in the business may use business accounts to move or hide marital funds, whether intentionally or as a byproduct of how the business is run. Over time, this can make it genuinely difficult to tell marital funds apart from legitimate business funds. The other spouse, understandably, will often argue that funds sitting in the business account are still marital property subject to division.
This is where a forensic accountant’s work becomes valuable. Their role is essentially to follow the money (tracing where funds came from and where they ultimately went) so the court has a clear picture of what’s truly marital property.
Valuing Real Estate in a High Net Worth Divorce
Real estate is another area that often requires extra attention in a high-net-worth divorce. Before a marital home or other property can be divided, it has to be valued, and that’s not always as straightforward as it sounds. It’s fairly common for two spouses to have completely different opinions about what a property is actually worth.
When that happens, the parties may need to agree on a shared appraiser, or each side may bring in their own. If they can’t reach an agreement, the disagreement can turn into a contested hearing, with each side presenting evidence (often through appraisers or forensic accountants) and the judge ultimately deciding on a value. Because of this, high-net-worth real estate cases often benefit from bringing in professional guidance early, rather than waiting until a dispute is already underway.
A Common Question in High Net Worth Divorces
One question that comes up often is whether a spouse who wasn’t involved in running the family business has any claim to it. In most cases, yes, business interests acquired or grown during the marriage are generally treated as part of the marital estate, which is exactly why valuation and forensic accounting work matter so much. The non-owner spouse doesn’t need to have been involved in day-to-day operations to have a legitimate interest in how that asset is divided.
Steps to Protect Your Interests Early On
The earlier you start organizing your financial picture, the smoother a high-net-worth divorce tends to go. Gathering account statements, business records, tax returns, and documentation of major assets before formal discovery begins can save significant time and reduce the chance of surprises later in the case.
It’s also worth thinking carefully about which professionals your case actually needs. Not every high net worth divorce requires the same level of forensic accounting or appraisal work; the right level of involvement depends on how complex the assets are and how much visibility you already have into the marital estate. An attorney who has handled these cases before can help you scope that out early rather than over- or under-investing in outside experts.
Finally, try to separate the emotional weight of the divorce from decisions about business assets and investments. High net worth cases often move slower than average, in part because valuations and discovery take time. Patience with that process, paired with clear communication with your legal team, tends to produce better long-term outcomes than rushing toward a quick settlement.
Working With the Right Team
A high net worth divorce in Michigan tends to move faster and more smoothly when the right professionals are involved from the start: an attorney who understands how to structure discovery efficiently, along with forensic accountants and appraisers when the case calls for it.
If you’re facing a high-net-worth divorce in Michigan, Boroja, Bernier & Associates can help you think through asset division, discovery, and valuation issues so you can move toward a resolution that protects your interests.
