Reliable High-Asset Divorce Attorney in Hidden Hills, CA
In Hidden Hills, white three-rail fences, corrals, and barns set the scene behind the gates, and bridle trails run through the community. The finances behind these properties can be just as layered. A Hidden Hills high-asset divorce lawyer can help you identify, value, and divide what you and your spouse own.
Kramer & Zitser, LLP, a boutique family law firm in Century City, was founded in 2025 by Brian J. Kramer and Diana P. Zitser. Each is a Certified Family Law Specialist, and together they bring decades of experience to complex divorces. We welcome confidential consultations from Hidden Hills spouses who want to understand their position before taking a first step.
Divorce in Hidden Hills Often Means Estate-Scale Property
Hidden Hills became its own city in 1961 and has about 648 home sites in just under 2 square miles. In California, property is anything you can buy or sell, or that has value, which here can include horses, barns, and corrals alongside the house.
Our attorneys handle holdings such as:
- Real estate. Residences, land, and property held in trusts.
- Businesses. Companies and startups that call for forensic accounting valuations.
- Entertainment income. Royalties and licensing rights in film, television, music, and publishing.
- Investments. Private equity interests and stock options.
- International assets. Offshore accounts and holdings abroad.
How a High-Asset Divorce Case Differs
The high-asset divorce laws people ask about are simply California’s community property rules applied to larger estates. In general, what either spouse earned during the marriage is split equally, and separate property stays with its owner. The difference is the work: each asset must be classified, traced to its source, and valued.
Property Issues to Watch in a High-Asset Case
These issues often need early attention in a high-asset divorce:
- Retirement plans. Contributions made during the marriage are community property, and contributions made before the marriage or after separation are separate.
- Date of separation. It marks when new earnings become separate property, and it can be harder to pin down than the wedding date.
- Hidden debts. Debts taken on during the marriage usually belong to both spouses, even when only one name is on them, and one spouse may carry debt the other doesn’t know about.
How We Handle a High-Asset Divorce Case
Valuation can decide a high-asset divorce case, and Diana P. Zitser’s practice covers business valuations, forensic accounting, royalties, intellectual property, and cryptocurrency.
Complexity grows when property crosses borders. Brian J. Kramer has served as an expert witness on California family law in domestic and international matters, which is relevant when a spouse holds offshore accounts or assets abroad.
Whenever possible, we aim to resolve matters out of court and out of the public eye, and we are prepared to litigate when a case has to be contested.
Hire a High-Asset Divorce Lawyer Before You Sign Anything
You should hire a high-asset divorce lawyer before you file, respond, or sign a property agreement. California property issues can be complicated, especially when anything of high value is involved. It’s wise to talk to a lawyer first. A Hidden Hills high-asset divorce attorney from our team can review your records and explain your options.
Hidden Hills High-Asset Divorce FAQs
How do I protect my savings during a divorce?
To protect your savings during a divorce, know that standard restraining orders bar both spouses from hiding, transferring, or disposing of property once a case is filed, except in the usual course of business or for necessities of life. Keep statements showing money earned before the marriage or after separation, which is generally separate property.
I want to leave my partner, but I can’t afford it. What should I do?
If you want to leave your partner but can’t afford it, you can ask the court for help once you file. A judge can order your spouse to pay money toward your lawyer when one of you has more access to money, and you can request temporary spousal support. A lawyer can tell you which request fits.
What is the biggest mistake during a divorce?
The biggest mistake during a divorce is often an incomplete financial disclosure. California requires both spouses to share complete financial information, and a spouse who hides assets or leaves them off the forms risks losing some of their property or paying the other spouse’s attorney’s fees.
If my wife inherits a house in California, am I entitled to half of it?
If your wife inherits a house in California, you are generally not entitled to half of it, because property acquired by inheritance is separate property under Family Code § 770. If community earnings later pay down a loan on the house, the equity built that way can become community property.
Does living in a gated community like Hidden Hills change how my home is divided?
Living in a gated community like Hidden Hills doesn’t change how your home is divided in California. A home bought with money earned during the marriage is community property, and it is generally divided equally. Hidden Hills is governed by both the city and the Hidden Hills Community Association, so collect your deed, mortgage statements, and association records.
What if we lived outside California for part of our marriage?
If you lived outside California for part of your marriage and you both later moved here, what you earned and the debts you took on during that time are called quasi-community property. California treats it like community property, so it is divided like other marital property. A lawyer can help sort out which of your assets fall into this category.
Can my spouse and I agree to divide our property differently than a judge would?
You and your spouse can agree to divide your property differently than a judge would, if you both think the division is fair. A judge then approves your agreement. If you can’t agree, a judge will decide at a hearing or trial, and community property is generally divided equally.
Schedule a Consultation With a Hidden Hills High-Asset Divorce Attorney
We meet clients at our Century City office, 1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, and we start with a confidential conversation. Contact our team to talk through your goals and what is at stake.
