Divorce is always a major transition—but for business owners, it brings additional complexity. Your business isn’t just another asset; it’s a living, breathing part of your financial picture, and it needs to be handled with care during a split.
Here are the top five things every business owner should know when navigating divorce:
1. Your Business Will Likely Be Valued, Whether You Want It to Be or Not
If your business was started or grew during the marriage, it may be considered a marital asset. That means it could be subject to valuation and division. It’s important to get ahead of this process with a professional valuation that reflects the full picture.
2. Cash Flow Matters as Much as Equity
Divorce settlements don’t just impact your net worth—they can affect day-to-day liquidity. Support payments or asset division could limit your ability to pay employees, invest in growth, or secure financing. Planning ahead helps protect your business operations.
3. There Are Creative Options for Retaining Ownership
Many business owners fear they’ll have to sell or divide ownership to settle a divorce. But there are ways to keep your business intact, such as structured buyouts, asset swaps, and payment plans, which are just a few tools we help clients explore.
4. Personal Guarantees Can Create Hidden Risk
If you’ve personally guaranteed business loans, your financial obligations don’t necessarily end with the divorce. We help you assess where those risks live and how to insulate your business from fallout.
5. Plan for the Future, Not Just the Settlement
What happens after the divorce matters just as much. Whether it’s adjusting your compensation, restructuring the business, or planning for succession, we help business owners think long-term—not just about how to split, but how to rebuild.
Eric Ashburn, CFP®, CEPA®, CDFA®, CeFT®
Partner & Private Wealth Advisor
Argent Bridge 2 Divorce (AB2D) provides divorce financial planning services. AB2D does NOT provide legal advice. All information provided is financial in nature and should NOT be construed or relied upon as legal advice. Individuals seeking legal advice should solicit the counsel of competent legal professionals knowledgeable about the divorce laws in their own geographical areas. Divorce financial planning is a fee-only process that does not involve investment advice, securities, or insurance transactions. Argent Bridge Advisors offers investment advice, securities management, and insurance services through a separate engagement.
