blog home Divorce How to Choose the Right High Net Worth Divorce Attorney in Chicago

How to Choose the Right High Net Worth Divorce Attorney in Chicago

By Nottage and Ward on October 2, 2025

There’s no getting away from the fact that high net worth divorces are complicated. And when your financial future is at stake, choosing the right Chicago divorce attorney is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we have decades of experience guiding high-income individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals through Illinois high asset divorce cases. Our legal team understands the nuances involved in dividing multi-million-dollar estates and preserving client confidentiality during this difficult transition.

Why High Net Worth Divorce Is Different

It’s important to understand what makes a high net worth divorce different. Divorces involving substantial assets are governed by the same legal principles as any other divorce, but the stakes are exponentially higher.

Key challenges in high asset divorces include:

• Identifying and valuing businesses or professional practices
• Tracing commingled assets or inherited wealth
• Untangling complex trust and estate planning instruments
• Dividing executive compensation packages (stock options, RSUs, bonuses)
• Addressing tax implications of property division
• Preserving confidentiality in litigation
• Evaluating real estate holdings, private investments, and retirement accounts

These challenges require more than a general family law attorney. They demand a divorce lawyer who regularly handles high-value portfolios and knows how to work with forensic accountants, tax advisors, and valuation experts.

What to Look for in a Chicago High Net Worth Divorce Attorney

Proven Experience with Complex Asset Division

An experienced marital property attorney should be able to demonstrate a strong background in dividing:

• Closely held businesses
• Real estate portfolios
• Private equity or hedge fund investments
• Art, antiques, or luxury collections
• Executive compensation and deferred income
• International accounts and assets

Ask potential attorneys about how they’ve handled cases similar to yours, without asking for confidential details. Their answers should reflect familiarity with sophisticated financial structures.

Fluency in Illinois Property Division Laws

Illinois follows the rule of equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided fairly, but not necessarily 50/50.

Non-marital property (acquired before marriage, through inheritance, or as a gift to one spouse) is generally not divided unless it has been commingled.

A top-tier asset division lawyer should be able to clearly explain:

• What qualifies as marital vs. non-marital property under Illinois law
• How commingling, transmutation, or title issues may affect property classification
• How courts view contributions of homemakers or spouses who supported business growth
• The role of prenuptial or postnuptial agreements

A Deep Understanding of Business Valuation and Asset Tracing

If you or your spouse owns a business or professional practice, it will probably need to be valued during divorce. This process is technical, subjective, and often contested.

Look for a Chicago high net worth divorce lawyer who:

• Works regularly with forensic accountants and certified valuation experts
• Understands common valuation methods (market, income, and asset-based approaches)
• Can spot income manipulation or undervaluation attempts
• Knows how to challenge or defend business valuations in court

Your attorney should be skilled at tracing assets, especially in cases involving offshore accounts, trusts, or hidden investments.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, our skilled Chicago Divorce attorneys work with trusted financial investigators and experts to ensure all relevant property is disclosed and evaluated properly.

Understanding of Executive Compensation Structures

Dividing executive pay and benefits requires an understanding of corporate compensation structures. These often include:

• Restricted stock units (RSUs)
• Stock options (vested and unvested)
• Performance bonuses
• Deferred compensation plans
• Golden parachutes and severance agreements

A qualified divorce lawyer will know how to assess the value of these benefits, handle tax consequences, and negotiate fair divisions, even when compensation is subject to vesting schedules or market fluctuations.

Strategic Approach to Confidentiality and Reputation

Privacy is a top concern for high net worth individuals. Your attorney should appreciate the need to keep sensitive financial and personal information out of the public eye.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we often resolve high-value cases through mediation, arbitration, or negotiated settlement, all of which are more private than litigation. When court filings are necessary, we explore every available method to seal records and minimize exposure.

Your attorney should also be adept at managing conflict in a way that protects your reputation and avoids unnecessary public battles.

Tax Knowledge and Financial Planning Insight

A divorce settlement isn’t just about what you receive. It’s about what you get to keep after taxes. Make sure your attorney works with tax professionals to evaluate:

• Capital gains and basis issues in real estate and investment transfers
• Taxable vs. non-taxable spousal support
• Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement plan division
• IRS rules on stock and deferred compensation transfers

Strong Litigation and Negotiation Skills

While many high asset divorces settle out of court, you’ll want to find an attorney who is ready to go to trial if needed. Look for someone who:

• Has trial experience in Illinois divorce courts
• Knows local judges’ approaches to property division and spousal support
• Has a strategic mindset and strong courtroom presence
• Can leverage settlement opportunities without compromising strength

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Chicago Divorce Attorney

To ensure you’re hiring the right lawyer for your high-value case, consider asking:

• How many high net worth divorce cases have you handled in the past year?
• What’s your approach to protecting sensitive financial information?
• Have you worked with business owners, executives, or professional clients before?
• Do you regularly collaborate with forensic accountants or valuation experts?
• Can you explain how Illinois law applies to my unique situation?

Why Choose Nottage and Ward, LLP?

It’s essential to choose someone who appreciates the value of what you’ve built and knows how to protect it. The legal team at Nottage and Ward, LLP has the knowledge, experience, and discretion you need to move forward with strength and clarity.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we’ve spent over three decades guiding clients in the Chicago area through high-stakes divorces. Our firm exclusively handles family law, with a particular focus on high-asset clients, including professionals, business owners, and their spouses.

Our strengths include:

• Proven experience in asset division, executive compensation, and business valuation
• Skilled negotiation and discreet resolution of sensitive matters
• Strong understanding of Illinois family law and Cook County court procedures
• Client-centered service that respects your goals, privacy, and dignity

Speak With an Experienced High Net Worth Divorce Attorney in Chicago

If you’re facing a high net worth divorce, you don’t have to do it alone! Contact our legal team at Nottage and Ward, LLP to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights, protect your interests, and find a clear path forward.

Call (312) 332-2915 to contact us and learn more today.