Attorney
Even if you have never watched the movie Taken, you are probably familiar with Liam Neeson’s quote about having “a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.” It’s a great scene in the movie, but its meme-ification has made it a cultural touchstone.
Everyone from fry cooks to investment bankers have used the meme to opine on the “very particular set of skills” their work has given them. And it’s about time someone did it for special masters. It’s a job that takes a very particular set of skills. And it happens to be a set of skills that Attorney Bob Matteucci has in spades.
What Does a Special Master Do?
A special master is a neutral third party appointed by the court to resolve or report on a specific issue in a pending lawsuit. Whether it’s untangling complex financial transactions, selling a piece of property, or figuring out the value of unique assets, the special master comes in ready to assess the situation and push the case toward a resolution.
A Very Particular Set of Skills
The special master typically has a set of skills or certain knowledge that the parties’ attorneys or the judge overseeing the case believes will be helpful to tap into.
Familiarity with Family Law and Finance
New Mexico is a community property state, which means that the value of every marital asset must be split up 50/50 when a couple divorces. This is easier said than done when the assets involved are businesses, real estate holdings, illiquid investments, and unique items that are difficult to put a value on — let alone split in half.
A special master can step into this case as a neutral third party and value, sell off, manage, or divide up these assets on behalf of the parties or at the request of the court. It takes a particular set of skills to get this done in compliance with our state’s divorce laws while maximizing the value of the assets at hand.
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.
Tactical Problem-Solving
Much like a covert operative, a special master is a skilled problem-solver, often brought in to defuse conflicts that seem impossible to resolve. They have the ability to assess complex situations, do work that benefits opposing parties, and develop solutions that keep the divorce process moving forward.
Unwavering Objectivity
Rule 1-053 of New Mexico’s Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts describes a special master as a referee, auditor, or examiner. This highlights the neutral role a special master plays. They must maintain complete impartiality and objectivity throughout the divorce process since their mission is to ensure the case is resolved as quickly and fairly as possible.
Sharp Communication and Coordination
A special master must have excellent communication skills and be able to coordinate with attorneys, judges, and the divorcing parties. Their role involves making sure everyone is on the same page, providing clear guidance, and ensuring that the case moves forward smoothly. At the end of the day, the decisions a special master makes, or the report they make to the court, is accepted at face value unless one party can prove it is clearly erroneous.
Serving Families with Dignity & Compassion
Like Liam Neeson’s character in Taken, a special master is someone with a very particular set of skills: deep experience with the subject at hand, tactical problem-solving abilities, unwavering objectivity, and the ability to communicate clearly with everyone involved. When the stakes are high, hiring a special master ensures that no matter how complex or contentious the process becomes, you’ll have someone who can cut through the noise and deliver the best possible outcome.
Attorney Bob Matteucci is not an ex-CIA operative, but he has developed a particular set of skills that make him a highly sought out, and well-respected special master in New Mexico divorce cases. Please contact him today to learn more and to schedule a confidential consultation.