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The Essential Guide for Business Owners: Keeping Personal and Business Assets Separate During Divorce

Writer's picture: Attorney Shannon DavisAttorney Shannon Davis

Why It's Important for Business Owners to Protect the Corporate Veil During Divorce

Divorce is a challenging and emotionally charged process, but for business owners, the stakes are even higher. The dissolution of a marriage can threaten the stability and future of a business if proper steps aren't taken to protect the corporate veil. The corporate veil is the legal distinction between the business entity and its owners, shielding personal assets from business liabilities and vice versa. During a divorce, preserving this separation is crucial for several reasons, including alimony, asset division, and child support.

Alimony and Spousal Support

Alimony, or spousal support, is a common issue in divorce proceedings. Courts may award alimony to ensure that the lower-earning spouse can maintain a similar standard of living post-divorce. For business owners, this can be particularly problematic if the business is not adequately protected. If the corporate veil is pierced, the court may consider the business’s income and assets as personal income, potentially increasing the alimony payments significantly.

Asset Division

One of the most contentious aspects of divorce is the division of marital assets. For business owners, the business itself can be one of the most valuable assets. Protecting the corporate veil ensures that the business is viewed as a separate entity, which can safeguard it from being considered a marital asset subject to division. If the corporate veil is not maintained, the business could be at risk of being split or sold, which can be devastating for the owner and detrimental to the business’s future.

Child Support

Child support calculations are typically based on the income of the parents. If the corporate veil is not preserved, the court may look beyond the owner’s salary and delve into the business’s finances, potentially inflating the perceived income and resulting in higher child support obligations. By maintaining a clear distinction between personal and business finances, business owners can ensure a fair assessment of income for child support purposes.

How to Protect the Corporate Veil

Maintaining the corporate veil requires diligent and proactive measures. Here are some steps business owners can take to protect their business during a divorce:

  1. Separate Finances: Keep personal and business finances strictly separate. Use different bank accounts, credit cards, and financial records for personal and business transactions.

  2. Proper Documentation: Ensure all business transactions are properly documented and that the business adheres to corporate formalities, such as holding regular board meetings and maintaining meeting minutes.

  3. Fair Compensation: Pay yourself a fair salary rather than using business funds for personal expenses. This helps establish clear financial boundaries between the business and personal finances.

  4. Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements: Consider drafting a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that explicitly defines how the business will be treated in the event of a divorce.

  5. Consult Legal Professionals: Work with attorneys and financial advisors who specialize in business and family law to develop a strategy that protects your business interests.

Conclusion

Protecting the corporate veil during a divorce is essential for business owners to ensure the continued success and stability of their enterprise. By taking proactive measures to maintain the separation between personal and business finances, owners can safeguard their business from the financial ramifications of alimony, asset division, and child support. Investing time and resources in protecting the corporate veil not only secures the future of the business but also provides peace of mind during a tumultuous time.

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