From the Book: Divorce Amicably
This is a chapter summary from Chapter 6 of Divorce Amicably, a guide to navigating separation with dignity and cooperation.
Chapter 51 Author: Dan Branch
Dan joined IAG as a Partner in January 2014. He has over twenty years of financial advisory and business valuation experience, specifically in consulting projects related to litigation support, financial forensics, financial reporting, tax reporting, and transactional support.
His experience includes forensic accounting/business valuation work for complex litigation and other corporate matters. He has experience in a wide range of industries, including medical/dental services, construction, manufacturing, business services, restaurants, and beverage bottling/distribution, to name a few.
Chapter 51's Expert Guide to Business Valuation in Divorce
The fear of financial unknowns paralyzes many divorcing couples, leading to poor decisions based on assumptions rather than facts. In this practical chapter, family law attorney and Guardian ad Litem Traci A. Weiss reveals how creating a comprehensive Marital Balance Sheet transforms the terrifying unknown into manageable known quantities, enabling informed decisions about asset and debt division. She demonstrates why voluntary financial transparency saves thousands in legal fees compared to forced discovery, while actually reducing suspicion and conflict between spouses.
Weiss provides a step-by-step guide for gathering essential financial information—from downloading 12 months of statements to organizing electronic folders—that ensures nothing gets overlooked or hidden. She addresses critical timing issues often missed: why November 1st valuations become meaningless by December 1st mediation, and how mismatched valuation dates between spouses create negotiation disasters. Most importantly, this chapter shows how a properly constructed Marital Balance Sheet becomes the foundation for fair division, preventing the "I didn't know about that account" surprises that derail settlements.
Four Critical Business Valuation Concepts from Chapter 51
Who Needs Chapter 51's Business Valuation Education
This chapter is essential for any divorcing couple with ownership in a privately held business, professional practice, or startup equity. It's crucial reading for those tempted to guess at business values or use informal estimates, and anyone whose spouse claims the business "isn't worth anything" or is "all personal goodwill."
Perfect for business owners who don't understand valuation but need to ensure fair division, non-owner spouses who suspect undervaluation but lack expertise to challenge it, and couples seeking amicable resolution who want neutral, credible valuations. Whether your business is a small retail shop or a multi-million dollar enterprise, Branch's framework ensures you understand what you're dividing and why.
Get your copy of "Divorce Amicably" today and learn how proper business valuation protects both parties from costly mistakes—because guessing at business values or accepting informal estimates can cost hundreds of thousands in misallocated assets.
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