Clarksville Business Owner Divorce Attorney
Last updated on June 19, 2025
In many marriages, one spouse naturally assumes control over the financing and budgeting for the household. This can be especially true for individuals who are self-employed or run a family-owned business. The danger, however, is that should the couple divorce, the other spouse may not be fully aware of the true financial situation of the family or the business.
The Law Office of Steven C. Girsky represents business owners or their spouses throughout Tennessee and Kentucky who are facing complex division problems in divorce. Attorney Steven C. Girsky has more than 25 years of experience handling these issues. He will work with you and qualified experts to ensure the full disclosure and equitable division of complex or significant assets, including your business.
Dividing A Business In A Divorce
You must take special care when valuing and dividing your business interests in a divorce. Some assets are relatively easy to divide during a divorce. Bank accounts, for example, can be equitably split between divorcing spouses. Homes can be appraised or sold, as can tangible items like cars, real estate, collectibles and stock accounts.
Some properties, however, are more difficult to accurately value and apportion as part of a dissolution. Interest in a privately held business is a prime example of this. The Law Office of Steven C. Girsky has extensive experience with the process of dividing the value of a business during divorce.
Closely held or family businesses are inherently difficult to accurately and properly value. Business interests are not simply limited to profits and past income. A wide range of criteria go into determining the worth of a business. It can be more difficult still when one party wants the business to fold and the other wants it to continue.
Valuating A Business Before A Divorce
So, how do you determine what a small business is worth? The first step is a proper and thorough business valuation by a financial expert. Even this can be difficult, especially when people combine personal and business assets or take out debts in the name of the business. An otherwise successful business, even one that regularly turns a profit, can suffer a substantial loss in value if it is highly indebted to others or notoriously mismanaged.
Valuation of small businesses is sometimes done by finding comparable goods or services provided by other companies, and seeing how much those companies are worth on the open market. This method is certainly the easiest, but it isn’t always possible, particularly with niche businesses.
Determining What Value Of A Business Each Spouse Is Entitled To
Once a business has been properly valued, the time has come to determine what role it will play in the creation of the overall divorce property settlement. This step in the process often raises many questions. For example:
- If the spouses started the business jointly, will one buy out the other’s interest in the company to keep it going?
- Will the company be sold to someone outside the family?
- If so, will the profits be split equally or according to the relative contribution each made financially to the business?
- Could one party receive the total value of the business in exchange for giving the other party a larger share of other marital assets, such as the family home, vacation property or collectibles?
Financial experts and experienced family law attorneys may be the only ones who can answer these complicated questions. The Law Office of Steven C. Girsky often represents business owners or their spouses throughout the divorce and asset division process.
How Our Small Business Owner Divorce Attorneys Protect Your Assets
Divorce can be tough for small business owners. Your business is something you have worked hard to build, and you want to keep it safe. At The Law Office of Steven C. Girsky, we take clear steps to protect your money and your company during a divorce. Here’s how we help:
- Reviewing finances thoroughly: We thoroughly examine all business income, debts and hidden assets to ensure we overlook nothing.
- Valuing your business accurately: We collaborate with forensic accountants and valuation experts to determine a fair, defensible business worth.
- Classifying funds clearly: We analyze mixed personal and business finances to distinguish the marital property from your separate assets.
- Crafting smart settlements: We design proposals that balance fair asset division with minimal disruption to your business operations.
- Securing your business’s future: We negotiate structured buyouts or property offsets to maintain your company’s long-term strength.
- Preventing asset loss: We request court orders to stop anyone from hiding or wasting business assets during the divorce.
Your business is your life’s work, and we understand its value. At The Law Office of Steven C. Girsky, we study your business closely to safeguard it during divorce. Our team listens attentively, plans strategically and fights for solutions that protect your company and future. With us, you gain partners dedicated to your success.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Divorce For Business Owners Lawyer Today
The Law Office of Steven C. Girsky maintains weekly business hours but also provides off-site, evening and weekend appointments when necessary to professionals throughout Tennessee and Kentucky. The firm accepts all major credit cards and offers payment plans when necessary. Contact attorney Steven C. Girsky today or call 931-266-4689 to schedule a free initial consultation.