Residents of South Florida are no doubt familiar with the high-profile celebrity marriages that appear frequently in the news. But their high-asset divorces seem to generate as much, if not more, publicity. The couples in such cases often have significant income earned from entertainment, athletics, and sponsorship deals. The money may have been placed in various investment vehicles or properties. Some couples even become entrepreneurs and start their own business, adding to their wealth but potentially complicating things in the event of a divorce.

You do not have to be in the media spotlight or walk the red carpet, however, to have your divorce involve complex property division. Divorcing couples with significant assets will have to have their property examined to determine a host of issues, including its value, whether it is part of the marital estate, and how it will be divided.

Kobe Bryant's divorce from his wife of 10 years highlights the potential difficulties that high-asset divorces can present. Bryant is worth an estimated $150 million, which includes trusts and ownership of multiple pieces of real property. Recently, Bryant has transferred ownership of 3 properties to his wife. The combined value of the properties is estimated at $18.8 million. But the houses are only one part of a larger divorce settlement.

Reports indicate that the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement, which means that Bryant's wife stands to get $75 million in the divorce, plus support payments for herself and the couple's children. Bryant and his wife appear to be settling their divorce out of court, avoiding the expense of taking the divorce to trial. But even in such cases, the assistance of experienced divorce counsel is essential to ensure an orderly and equitable division of the couple's many assets.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Kobe Bryant divorce: Three homes to Vanessa probably just a start," Michael Reicher, Jan. 23, 2012.