Attorney
If the first thing you think of when someone suggests you hire a special master to help resolve your divorce is golf, I’ve got some disappointing news. Special masters have nothing to do with the Masters… even though Attorney Bob Matteucci thinks he would look good in a green jacket.
Instead, a special master is someone with a particular set of skills — who often happens to be an attorney — that is hired to assist the parties in a civil lawsuit as they attempt to come to an agreement, or investigate an issue the judge would like more information on before he or she makes a ruling.
The Special Master Attorney: Your Trusted Caddy for Navigating Complex Divorces
Although Rule 1-053 of New Mexico’s Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts, which outlines how our state courts can use special masters, describes them as a referee, auditor, or examiner, you can also think of them as a caddy.
They know the course or case, they understand what is at stake, and they get compensated for their services, but they aren’t the ones teeing off. Instead, their role is to advise and guide the player or parties to the final hole.
For example, Bob is often called in by attorneys handling a case where there is a piece of real estate that is jointly owned by both parties. The parties are in such a bitter dispute they cannot agree on a sales price, timeline for the sale, or even pick a realtor they both like. Bob, as the special master, comes in and handles the sale as a neutral third party with no interest other than selling the property for the best price possible in the amount of time he is given.
Attorney Bob Matteucci Can Help You Stay on Course
Real estate disputes aren’t the only disputes that can be resolved with the assistance of a special master. Bob is routinely asked to serve as a special master in New Mexico divorce cases where the couple has a joint interest in valuable or complex assets like:
- Businesses — Whether a business needs to be divided, sold, wound down, or kept operating, Bob can take the steps necessary to move things forward.
- Business Assets — If particular business assets are causing strife, Bob can step in and oversee the disposition of inventory, receivables, and equipment.
- Other High-Value Assets — From stock portfolios to retirement accounts, and vehicles, art, jewelry, firearms, and antiques, Bob can provide detailed analysis and division strategies that protect the value of these unique assets.
Attorney Matteucci is uniquely qualified to serve as a special master in these cases thanks to his years of family law experience and background as a small business owner. Before earning his J.D. with a concentration in Business Law from the University of New Mexico, Bob graduated from Tulane University with an MBA and was the owner of a profitable shoe store that generated over $5,500,000 in annual sales.
He knows how to dig into complex financial documents and estimate the value of illiquid and indivisible assets. He can also suggest ways to apportion the value of these assets in a manner that does not diminish their utility. Having gone through the divorce process himself, he is ready to help the parties in high-net-worth divorces navigate the financial and emotional minefield they are facing.
Serving Families with Dignity & Compassion
In golf, missing a shot or choosing the wrong club can cost you the game. Similarly, mishandling aspects of your divorce can have long-term consequences. Working with a special master ensures that you don’t veer off course by providing focused solutions tailored to your unique situation.
Attorney Bob Matteucci is ready to leverage his legal skills and business experience to keep you out of the rough if your divorce depends on resolving a dispute over valuable or unique assets. Please contact him today to learn more and to schedule a confidential consultation.