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How to Plan Financially for a Divorce When You’re in the Spotlight

By Nottage and Ward on May 7, 2025

For professionals with high public visibility, such as executives, doctors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and entertainers, divorce isn’t just a personal and financial matter. It can also be a risk to your reputation. Every disclosure, negotiation, and court appearance carries the potential to affect your net worth, business interests, and personal brand.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we understand that divorce for high-profile individuals involves more than just dividing assets. That’s why when it comes to financial planning, it’s essential to have the right strategy.

The High Stakes of Divorce in the Public Eye

Individuals with public-facing roles face the added burden of visibility. Public court records, media attention, and even internal company scrutiny can amplify the impact of a divorce. What’s more, contentious divorces can strain partnerships, undermine leadership credibility, and cause lasting reputational damage.

Planning early—before you or your spouse files—is critical. With the right legal team and a sound financial disclosure strategy, you can stay ahead of potential pitfalls and shield your assets, privacy, and professional standing.

Step 1: Assemble a Discreet, Capable Legal Team

Privacy should be your legal team’s first concern. At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we’ve spent over 35 years helping Chicago’s top professionals navigate family law discreetly and efficiently. We understand that clients in the spotlight require special consideration regarding media exposure, business reputation, and sensitive financial details.

We also focus on aligning divorce strategy with long-term financial goals. For executives and professionals with complex income structures, this means evaluating:

• Deferred compensation plans
• Stock options or RSUs
• Business interests or partnerships
• Intellectual property and branding assets
• Multiple income streams

A standard divorce approach won’t do. You need strategic insight that’s grounded in both family law and high-net-worth asset protection.

Step 2: Audit Your Financial Footprint Thoroughly

The backbone of any successful high-asset divorce case is a complete financial inventory. Before any filings are made, gather documentation for:

• Bank, investment, and retirement accounts
• Real estate holdings
• Business valuations
• Tax returns and W-2s/1099s
• Executive compensation agreements
• Loan and debt obligations

If your spouse has handled most of the finances during the marriage, now is the time to get informed. Divorce laws in Illinois require full financial disclosure, and any attempt to obscure assets, intentionally or not, can backfire.

High-income individuals should also anticipate forensic accounting if either party suspects hidden income or underreported assets. Our team frequently collaborates with financial experts to verify valuation and uncover any irregularities.

Step 3: Choose Privacy-Focused Divorce Processes

Litigation invites public scrutiny, and high-conflict court battles can make headlines, damaging both parties. To avoid these issues, many high-profile clients opt for:

• Collaborative divorce lets both parties commit to resolving disputes outside of court.
• Mediation encourages compromise and keeps sensitive details off the public record.
• Confidential settlement agreements can help avoid contentious public trials.

If courtroom litigation becomes unavoidable, Nottage and Ward, LLP, works diligently to file motions that limit exposure and seal records when appropriate.

Step 4: Early Brand and Reputation Protection

Your personal and professional brand are valuable assets, particularly in high-visibility career divorce situations. You may be an author, physician, CEO, or influencer. Regardless, the public associates your name with value.

Here’s how to safeguard that:

• Review publicity clauses in any business contracts or employment agreements
• Protect trademarks or IP linked to your identity
• Prepare press statements (if needed) with the help of legal and PR advisors
• Ensure confidentiality clauses are included in any divorce settlements

Where appropriate, non-disparagement clauses and mutual confidentiality agreements can preserve both reputations and reduce the risk of damaging post-divorce disclosures.

Step 5: Plan for Ongoing Financial Impact

Unlike traditional divorces, those of executives and professionals with irregular income require future-focused planning. Be prepared to:

• Structure spousal maintenance in ways that reflect fluctuating income or bonus schedules
• Create estate plans that reflect new obligations
• Evaluate tax consequences of asset transfers or stock option division

We regularly advise clients on how to optimize asset division while minimizing tax liabilities and how to structure settlements that preserve liquidity and long-term financial stability.

Step 6: Anticipate Co-Parenting in the Public Eye

If children are involved, parenting plans must protect their well-being and privacy. This can include:

• Ensuring education, healthcare, and religious decisions are clearly defined
• Structuring parenting time around demanding schedules
• Shielding children from media exposure
• Coordinating child-related decisions in ways that avoid public disputes

We help our clients create parenting agreements that work for both the child and the public-facing parent, so that parent-child relationships can remain strong even under scrutiny.

What Sets Nottage and Ward, LLP, Apart

Located in the heart of Chicago, Nottage and Ward, LLP, is widely respected for our intelligent, balanced approach to high-net-worth family law. Our attorneys are skilled in both negotiation and litigation, and we approach every case with:

• Confidentiality: Protecting client privacy is a top priority.
• Precision: Every detail matters, especially when substantial assets or public reputations are involved.
• Strategy: We tailor every case plan to the specific goals and risk profile of the client.

Our team brings strength and sensibility to complex, high-stakes divorces. We are trusted legal counsel and strategic advisors to professionals whose success depends on keeping their personal lives off the front page.

Plan Proactively to Protect What You’ve Built

If you’re a high-earning executive, professional, or public figure facing divorce, you need more than just legal representation. You need a strategy to protect your wealth, brand, and future.

Call Nottage and Ward, LLP today at (312) 332-2915 to schedule a confidential consultation and learn more about how our Chicago divorce attorneys can help you navigate divorce with strength and sensitivity.