Illinois High Profile Divorce Lawyer

Attorneys for Divorce Cases Involving Celebrities and Public Figures in DuPage, Kane, Will, and Cook County

Ending a marriage through divorce can be a complex and emotional process. In many cases, matters such as property division or child custody can become very contentious, and high conflict divorce cases may involve a variety of disputes that can be difficult to resolve. However, the divorce process can become even more complicated in high-profile cases where one or both spouses are celebrities, public figures, or business people who are well-known in their community. In these situations, spouses will want to work with a discreet divorce lawyer who can help them address financial concerns properly, resolve their disputes privately, and keep their personal affairs out of the public eye.

At McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, P.C., our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined family law experience, and we have represented clients in a wide variety of divorce cases, ranging from amicable, uncontested divorces to high-conflict and high-profile cases involving complex financial assets. We will work with you to determine the best way to proceed during your divorce, and we will do everything we can to keep the details of your case private.

Financial Issues in a High Profile Divorce

In high profile divorce cases, spouses will need to address a magnitude of financial issues when dividing marital property, determining whether spousal maintenance will be awarded, and calculating child support obligations. These issues may include:

• High wage earners or those with complicated compensation packages - Celebrities or public figures often earn income from multiple sources, and this income can fluctuate from year to year depending on the projects they are involved in or the shelf life of their industry. During divorce, all sources of income should be considered, including endorsements, royalties, residuals, deferred compensation, and money earned as an investor or partial owner of a business. While the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/504 and 750 ILCS 5/505) provides guidelines for how spousal support or child support are calculated based on spouses' incomes, these guidelines may not apply in cases where a spouse earns an extremely high income, and matters may need to be handled on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the decisions made are fair for the spouses and their children. It is also important that a skilled attorney identifies and addresses the tax implications of property division and support.
• Large net worth estates - In addition to the types of marital property that must be divided between spouses in a typical divorce case, a high profile divorce may involve other complex assets. Public figures may own intellectual property rights such as copyrights or the right to produce films, books, or shows based on their previous works, and these assets can generate significant income for years to come. Executives or owners of high-profile businesses may not only need to address ownership of business interests and different forms of executive compensation structures, but they may need to determine how to divide unique retirement plans or pensions.

Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality

Many public figures will want to keep the details of their divorce as private as possible. To avoid public scrutiny of their personal lives and the decisions made when ending their marriage, celebrities will typically want to avoid divorce litigation. By handling matters privately through negotiation between the spouses and their attorneys, couples can avoid having their personal lives be laid out in a pleading that becomes public record or discussed in a public courtroom. Mediation or collaborative law is one option for dispute resolution; however, a skilled litigator can also use effective negotiation to resolve disputes privately and confidentially. Attorney-client privilege will ensure that communications between the spouses and their attorneys are kept completely confidential, and if the assistance of financial advisors or other experts is needed during the divorce process, confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements can be used to ensure that private information is not released to the public.

In many cases, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements and other methods of wealth protection can help public figures avoid complications and disputes during their divorce. By making decisions about how financial matters will be handled well before divorce becomes likely, spouses can be prepared to end their marriage quickly and effectively without being bogged down by contentious disputes that could spill over into a public forum. 

Contact Our Naperville Divorce Attorneys

In high-profile cases, McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, P.C. can help you navigate the divorce process while working to protect your rights, your financial interests, and your reputation. We will ensure that all financial matters are handled discreetly, and we will help you reach decisions that will allow you and your family to move forward toward the next chapter. Contact our office today at 630-407-1200 to arrange a free initial consultation. We provide legal representation in divorce cases in DuPage County, Cook County, Will County, Kane County, and Kendall County, including Wheaton, Carol Stream, Winfield, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Warrenville, and Naperville.