Westport Family Lawyer

Family-based legal disputes can affect your child(ren) and your family’s financial structure, including the equitable distribution of your family’s assets and liabilities, as well as the payment of alimony and child support. High asset divorce cases could involve complex financial issues, such as business interests, trust interests and distributions, or deferred compensation. Other financial considerations could involve private investments and other investment accounts and real estate holdings. It is essential to have the guidance of a Westport family lawyer who understands how Connecticut Courts will evaluate both parenting and financial issues.

At Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC, we represent clients in complex family matters requiring precision and disciplined preparation. A qualified attorney from our team will help you identify the issues that will define your case, secure the financial information needed for analysis, and develop a strategy for settlement discussions, Mediation, or Trial.

Divorce, Child Support, and Custody

A family lawyer from our Westport team will address all matters associated with a divorce, including child support and custody, typically simultaneously. Connecticut law authorizes the Court to enter Orders concerning the dissolution of your marriage, including legal and physical custody, post-majority educational support , and child support, as well as other children’s expenses. Connecticut Courts look to the best interests of the child(ren) to determine an appropriate arrangement for legal and physical custody of a child(ren).

For high-asset and high-earning clients, child support issues usually require more than a review of base salary, as income structures in these cases could be complex. Bonuses, partnership distributions, and restricted equity, and deferred compensation are also considered. These components can materially affect child support and the payment of children’s expenses in your case. The law also authorizes the Court to enter Orders concerning health insurance and related support obligations for a minor child(ren). In these cases, the quality of the financial record and analysis often matters as much as the legal argument.

Spousal Support and Property Division

Our Westport attorneys are experienced in handling family law matters involving substantial wealth and approach alimony and property division with financial precision. Connecticut does not use a formula to determine the equitable distribution of a family’s assets and liabilities. Instead, the Court may assign to either spouse all or any part of the estate of the other after considering statutory factors such as the length of the marriage and the causes for the dissolution of marriage. Other statutory factors considered by the Court are:

• Age, health, and needs
• Occupation and vocational skills
• Income and employability
• The ability to acquire assets in the future
• Estate and liabilities
• The acquisition, preservation, and appreciation of assets

Additionally, the Court will also determine alimony pursuant to a factor-based analysis as listed in Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-82.

The equitable distribution of a family’s assets and liabilities is especially significant when the marital estate includes closely held businesses, private investment interests, deferred compensation, trust interests and inherited or premarital assets. The Court considers all property owned by either spouse individually, as well as jointly-held assets. Equitable distribution means a fair distribution. It does not automatically guarantee an equal of every asset. In many of these cases, tracing, valuation, and formal discovery will impact the outcome.

Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements and Strategic Planning

Our family and matrimonial law attorneys in Westport also evaluate how a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement could  impact the matter. Connecticut’s Statutes and case law address the form, content, and enforcement of these agreements. This may influence the treatment of property division and alimony exposure, particularly if one or both parties entered the marriage with substantial income and/or personal, business, or family wealth.

Even where an agreement exists, your current and historical financial situation could still be considered, including factors such as asset movement during the marriage or significant changes in the value of assets. Strategic review of both your prenuptial or postnuptial agreement and your family’s financial circumstances is essential in a high-net worth case.

Contact Our Experienced Family Law Firm in Westport Today

A comprehensive legal strategy is vital when you are addressing a divorce matter, including the care and custody of minor child(ren) alimony, child support, and the equitable distribution of your assets and liabilities.  An experienced Westport family lawyer at our firm can help you manage these together with keen insight into how Connecticut Courts handle these cases. Contact Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC today to discuss your case and develop a strategy built on careful financial analysis and effective advocacy.