Attorney
If the first thing you think of when you hear the words “big four” is accounting, you’ve come to the right divorce attorney. Bob Matteucci is a former business owner with an MBA as well as a law degree, so mentioning the “big four” around him still gets him thinking about KPMG and pwc.
But in the divorce arena, the big four means something a bit different. The four big issues that a New Mexico couple must address before finalizing their divorce are:
- The division of assets,
- Spousal support or alimony,
- Child custody, and
- Child support
A family court judge will not finalize a divorce unless all of these topics have been dealt with. At Matteucci Family Law, our team can help you customize a divorce settlement that addresses all of these issues while also looking to your post-divorce life and ensuring your are prepared for what comes next.
Division of Assets
Dividing up assets and debts is often one of the most challenging parts of getting divorced. While some people assume this is because you might disagree about who gets what, the reality is more complicated. No matter how amicable the split, it is always difficult to pull together an accounting of your entire life, then figure out how to divide it in half.
That 50/50 split, which is required under New Mexico’s community property law, is especially tricky if you own a business or other high-value, non-liquid assets that are impossible to split in two without destroying their utility or value. Because he has a head for business, Attorney Matteucci is often called to asset in these complex cases.
He knows now to put on the brakes and negotiate a split that everyone can agree to when the only other option being discussed is selling everything off and dividing the proceeds.
Spousal Support
One tactic Bob uses to help couples divide the value of illiquid assets is upping the amount of spousal support offered to the partner that is not walking away with ownership of the business, or a beloved piece of real estate, or some other impossible to divide asset.
Often called alimony, spousal support is money that is paid by one former partner to another to help equalize the division of assets or help the recipient maintain his or her quality of life post-divorce. It is not something that is awarded in every New Mexico divorce, but every former couple must consider whether it should be.
Child Custody
Negotiating a child custody agreement is almost always the most difficult part of any divorce. It is often the point where the reality of divorce sinks in, and you start thinking about what you and your family’s post-divorce future is actually going to look like.
New Mexico state law presumes that it is best for children to spend time with both parents, and prefers when parents share decision making authority. If left up to the courts, they often take this to mean that parenting time (aka physical custody) and parenting responsibility (aka legal custody) should be split 50/50.
However, splitting a child’s time equally between two households is often unrealistic. Bob can help you take a closer look at what your child’s day-to-day life is currently like, and determine what is in their best interests going forward.
Child Support
In New Mexico, child support is calculated by inputting information about you, your former partner, and your child (or children) into a worksheet, and seeing what number it spits out. Attorney Bob Matteucci can guide you through this process to ensure the math is done properly, and your children get the support they need to thrive.
Serving Families with Dignity & Compassion
Just like the Big Four accounting firms shape the financial world, the “big four” issues of divorce—assets, spousal support, child custody, and child support—will shape your divorce settlement. At Matteucci Family Law, we understand that navigating these issues requires both legal knowledge and financial savvy, especially in complex cases involving businesses and high-value assets. If you’re facing divorce in Albuquerque, you need a team that can balance the numbers and the nuances of family law. Contact Bob today to ensure your future is built on a strong foundation.