Divorce Pitfalls for Small Business Owners

The prospect of getting a divorce can be daunting, and even more so if you own a small business. When a marriage ends and both parties own a business, it can be complicated to navigate the legal and financial aspects of a divorce. What are are the top considerations for small business owners facing divorce?  
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Whether you are considering filing for divorce, or your spouse has already initiated the divorce process, there’s important considerations when a small business is part of the equation.

If you're a business owner and one or both of you are seeking a divorce, there are some particular points of concern that you need to keep in mind. First and foremost is the value of the business itself. The court may order an appraisal of the business to determine what the fair market value is. This is so each party can receive an equitable share in the assets. If one of you was the sole owner of the business prior to marriage, the court may decide that ownership of the business isn’t subject to division but the increased value of the business is.

Another point to consider is how much of your time and resources the divorce process will take up. Divorce can impact how much time and attention you can put into your business, as well as how smoothly operations run while the divorce is underway. It’s important to make sure that both parties understand their respective roles in the business during the divorce proceedings. If one or both spouses are also employed by the business, those roles need to be specified in order to ensure that everyone remains in compliance with any court orders that may be issued.

If you are considering filing for divorce and are a small business owner, it’s important to seek professional counsel on how best to protect your rights and interests in the process.