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What does the most expensive divorce in history mean for you?

On Behalf of | Jan 9, 2019 | Uncategorized |

Jeff Bezos and his wife of 25 years have recently announced they are getting divorced. Jeff is the founder of Amazon, which he started after he was married. This means that any wealth generated from this company over the course of the marriage could be eligible for division between the spouses. As you can imagine, this is a significant amount of money — $137 billion, to be exact.

If you are facing the prospect of a divorce in Missouri, chances are that you do not have billions of dollars at stake, but there are still some helpful takeaways from the most expensive divorce in history that may benefit you in the future. This is the case, no matter how wealthy you are or the value of your marital assets. 

Factors to consider for property division

Like many others, you may be wondering what will happen to the Bezos’ wealth upon the finalization of their divorce. Many believe that Mrs. Bezos will not seek half of the $137 billion, and it is possible they could reach a fair agreement out of court. There may be many reasons for this, and some helpful things for any person to consider when dividing marital property include the following:

  • Assets are not always liquid, and it may be beneficial to look at factors such as the projected future value of certain assets before agreeing to a settlement.
  • What marital assets are worth now may not be the case in the future, and it could compromise one party’s ability to maintain his or her lifestyle.
  • There could be significant tax consequences for either selling or retaining certain assets. It is important to think about taxes when working through a property division settlement.

Ending a marriage is a complex process, especially when there are significant assets or wealth at stake. During this time, it may be helpful for you to keep your eyes on what will truly be best in the future, not just your temporary emotions. 

Long-term stability and security

When your goal is your long-term stability and security, not just gratifying your immediate feelings, you will be more likely to make smart decisions that are good for your future. A complete evaluation of your case can help you understand specific options available to you and how you can protect your interests. There is a lot at stake in a divorce, but you do not have to walk through it alone.

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St. Louis County Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
LEX | The Missouri Bar