Protecting what you’ve built.
When a business, real estate, and years of work are on the table, a divorce becomes a financial case. John Sherman represents Florida business owners, professionals, and families through complex, high-asset divorces across all of Florida.
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A High-Asset Divorce Is a Financial Case as Much as a Family One
Any divorce is hard. When real wealth is involved, the margin for error disappears. Your business, investment accounts, real estate, and retirement plans can all end up on the table, and one overlooked detail can follow you for decades.
Getting this right takes more than a family law attorney. It takes someone who understands valuation, tax exposure, and the line between marital and non-marital property under Florida law — and who knows when to bring in a forensic accountant.
A decade of trial experience behind every case.
Family law isn't paperwork, it's strategy. John P. Sherman has spent nearly a decade inside Florida's courtrooms, handling hundreds of depositions and complex contested matters across divorce, child custody, and timesharing issues. That courtroom experience shapes every case our firm takes from the first consultation to the final order.
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Trial-Tested Strategy
Nearly a decade of depositions, hearings, and contested family law trials gives our firm an edge most practices can't match. We know how opposing counsel builds their case, how judges in Florida's family courts think, and we plan around it from day one.
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Attorney-Led at Every Stage
John sets the strategy and stays involved throughout your case. Our team works under his direct guidance, so nothing falls through the cracks and no detail gets overlooked.
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Honest Case Assessments
No sugar-coating. Before you spend a dollar, we outline the real strengths and risks of your case so you can make informed decisions about your future.
Complex Estates Require a Different Approach
High-asset divorces raise issues most cases never touch. Work we handle regularly, grouped by focus:
Assets & Property
Protecting what you own, tracing what is yours, and uncovering what may be hidden.
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Business & professional practice valuation
What a company, partnership interest, or practice is actually worth, including goodwill.
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Equitable distribution of complex assets
Investment accounts, stock options, RSUs, and closely held business interests under Florida law.
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Marital vs. non-marital property
Tracing inheritances, gifts, and pre-marriage assets so separate property stays separate.
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Hidden or undervalued assets
Forensic accounting to uncover unreported income, transfers, and undisclosed accounts.
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Real estate & investment portfolios
Primary homes, vacation properties, and rental portfolios.
Income & Support
Making sure support reflects real income — today and in the future.
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Retirement & deferred compensation
401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, executive compensation, and QDRO preparation.
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Alimony under Florida's 2023 reform
Applying the current durational alimony rules and income caps to your position.
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Child support for high earners
Navigating Florida's child support guidelines when income exceeds the statutory cap.
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Executive & entrepreneur income analysis
Separating salary, distributions, bonuses, and retained earnings for accurate support calculations.
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Support modifications & enforcement
Adjusting or enforcing alimony and support orders when income or circumstances change substantially.
Family & Agreements
Keeping family arrangements, custody, and agreements aligned with your goals.
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Prenuptial & postnuptial agreements
Enforcing, challenging, or interpreting marital agreements.
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Custody & parenting plans
Time-sharing built around demanding professional schedules.
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Interstate relocation
Relocation, travel, and jurisdictional questions affecting children across state lines.
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Children's trusts & future inheritances
Protecting gifts, trusts, and expected inheritances so they benefit the children as intended.
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Private settlement structures
Negotiated resolutions that keep personal and financial details out of public record.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation
Private conversation. No obligation.
The rules that shape every high-asset case
Equitable distribution: not always 50/50
Florida divides marital assets and debts equitably, which means fairly, not automatically in half. Courts start from an equal split and adjust based on each spouse's contributions, the length of the marriage, and each party's circumstances. High-asset cases are won or lost on identifying and correctly valuing every marital asset.
Marital vs. non-marital property
Assets acquired during the marriage are generally marital. Property owned before the marriage, or received individually by gift or inheritance, is typically non-marital — but that protection is lost when assets get commingled. Documentation and tracing decide these fights.
Alimony after the 2023 reform
Florida eliminated permanent alimony on July 1, 2023 (SB 1416). Courts can now award four types of support: temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative (capped at five years), and durational. Durational alimony is tied to the length of the marriage, and the amount generally cannot exceed the recipient's reasonable need or 35% of the difference between the spouses' net incomes, whichever is less. For high earners, how your finances are presented has never mattered more.
Business valuation
When a spouse owns a business, the court must decide what it's worth and how much of it is marital. That usually means valuation experts and a close look at goodwill, cash flow, and non-marital contributions.
This is general information about Florida law, not legal advice. Every case is different — talk to an attorney about yours.
Strategy, Discretion, and the Right Experts
Financial precision
Your divorce gets treated as the financial matter it is. When the case calls for it, John brings in forensic accountants, business valuators, and tax professionals so every asset is identified, valued, and accounted for.
Discretion by default
High-asset cases attract attention. We keep yours private, minimizing public exposure and disruption to your business and your family.
Straight answers
You'll know your options, what they cost, and where your case is likely headed. We resolve through negotiation when possible and litigate when your interests require it.
Talk Through Your Situation Privately
A clear read on where you stand under Florida law.
What Clients Say About John
“I can’t say enough about how incredible my attorney John Sherman was during one of the most difficult times in my life. Going through my divorce was overwhelming, emotional and exhausting but John was always there for me.
John was compassionate, patient and completely dedicated to my case. He always took time to explain every step of my case, he made sure I was always aware of my options. He kept me safe and protected. I never felt like just a client with John because of his ability to balance professionalism with his genuine empathy to me.
His expertise and attention to detail gave me confidence in very tough moments. I am so thankful for all his hard work in my case and I am very happy with my settlement and outcome.
I wholeheartedly recommend the law office of John P. Sherman.”
Stephanie Hagan
2 months ago · Verified Google review
“I can’t say enough good things about John! He was an absolute rock star handling my case. From our very first chat, he was so warm and approachable, like talking to a friend who just gets it. He walked me through everything in a way that was super clear, just straight-up honesty. He always kept in touch, checking in and keeping me posted without me ever having to chase him down. John made a rough situation feel so much lighter, and I’m so grateful for him. If you’re looking for a fantastic attorney, John’s the one to call! Thank you, John!!!”
Olga Shperun
a year ago · Verified Google review
Frequently asked questions
How is a business divided in a Florida divorce?
The court determines what the business is worth and how much of it is marital. That usually requires a forensic valuation. In most cases one spouse keeps the business and the other's share is offset with other assets — a forced sale is the exception, not the rule.
Will I have to split my business 50/50?
Not necessarily. Florida uses equitable distribution, and business interests are routinely offset against other marital assets so the owner keeps operational control.
Is Florida a 50/50 divorce state?
No. Florida divides marital property equitably — fairly, which often means equally but doesn't have to. Courts weigh multiple statutory factors.
How is alimony calculated after Florida's 2023 reform?
Permanent alimony is gone. Support is now temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational, with duration tied to the length of the marriage and amounts generally capped at the recipient's reasonable need or 35% of the net income difference, whichever is less.
What if my spouse is hiding assets?
It happens more than people think. Forensic accountants can trace unreported income, suspicious transfers, and undisclosed accounts through discovery and financial analysis.
Will my prenuptial agreement hold up?
If it was properly executed, usually yes. We review, enforce, and challenge prenuptial and postnuptial agreements under Florida law.
How long does a high-net-worth divorce take?
It depends on how complex the estate is and how cooperative both sides are. Disputed valuations and hidden-asset fights take longer. Strategic negotiation resolves many of these cases without trial.
Is my consultation confidential?
Yes. Completely private, no obligation.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation
Discreet, no obligation, protected by attorney-client privilege from the first conversation.
Thank you.
We’ve received your inquiry and will get back to you today. Everything you share stays strictly confidential.