David Centeno, Esq. | NY Divorce Lawyer for High-Net-Worth Individuals | Smart Divorce™ Solutions Without the Drama.
Divorce is always disruptive. But for high-performing professionals, entrepreneurs and executives, it can be downright catastrophic—both personally and professionally—if handled the wrong way.
The biggest mistake I see lawyers and their clients make? Treating divorce like a battle instead of a business problem to be solved.
At my firm, I work with clients who are time-poor, reputation-conscious and focused on outcomes. They’re not interested in emotional warfare. They want control, privacy and a swift resolution. That’s why, for many professionals, court-free divorce strategies—like mediation, uncontested divorce and collaborative law—can help avoid the fallout of traditional litigation.
Here’s why—and how to help clients navigate these smarter options.
The Real Cost To Clients Of ‘Going To War’
Litigated divorce is slow, expensive and adversarial by design. Clients spend months—or years—embroiled in discovery, depositions and hearings. Legal fees may climb into six figures. Emotional bandwidth is drained. And worst of all, personal and financial matters become public record.
For founders or C-suite executives, that exposure can shake investor confidence, disrupt company performance and delay major deals. I’ve seen exits fall apart, valuations dip and leadership trust erode—all because a personal conflict spilled into the courtroom.
Once you’re in litigation, you and your client have already lost a degree of control. Their future is handed to a judge with limited time, minimal context and little understanding of their family, finances or goals.
A Strategic Divorce Approach
Uncontested divorce, mediation and collaborative law aren’t just softer—in many cases, they’re strategically superior for high-functioning individuals who value discretion and efficiency. Here’s a quick breakdown:
• Uncontested Divorce: Ideal for couples who can agree on terms privately. It’s fast, more affordable and completely avoids court. Think logistics, not litigation.
• Mediation: A neutral third party facilitates agreement on key issues like support, custody and asset division. It encourages problem-solving, not posturing, and often leads to more customized, durable outcomes.
• Collaborative Divorce: A structured team-based approach where both parties commit to resolving things outside of court. Attorneys, financial experts and mental health professionals work together to support resolution, not escalation.
These approaches align with how successful people already operate: They manage risk, think long-term and avoid unnecessary conflict that drains time, money and focus.
Why This Matters For High Performers And Their Lawyers
When you’re working with high achievers, you’re not just protecting their bank accounts—you’re protecting their brands.
Executives and entrepreneurs know their personal lives can’t be easily separated from their public role. A messy or prolonged divorce can affect leadership perception, disrupt teams and leak into the media narrative. Even internal morale can take a hit when leadership appears distracted or unstable.
It’s helpful to explain to clients that a court-free divorce process can protect more than peace of mind—it can help protect the integrity of what they’ve built.
It’s also good business. I’ve seen clients resolve divorces for a tenth of what litigation would’ve cost—in a fraction of the time. That saved time and capital is often reinvested back into their companies, portfolios or personal growth.
Court-Free Isn’t Caving In
For lawyers who want to offer these options, it can be helpful to explain that avoiding court isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It takes maturity and confidence to walk away from conflict and toward resolution.
The clients I serve didn’t become successful by fighting every battle. They got there by picking the right ones. Divorce doesn’t have to be any different.
Help clients understand that a strategic, peaceful divorce doesn’t mean giving up on financial fairness or parental rights. It means making smart, intentional choices—rather than letting lawyers or judges decide for them.
The Attorney As Strategic Advisor
When working with founders, investors and executives, attorneys need to step into the role of strategic advisor, not just legal technician. That means understanding the client’s goals across multiple dimensions: legal, financial, reputational and operational.
Ask deeper questions:
• Are there any upcoming liquidity events, acquisitions or sensitive business negotiations?
• Could public filings or courtroom appearances affect investor or partner confidence?
• How important is privacy or speed to the client?
• Is the other party cooperative or likely to escalate?
These questions reveal whether court-free strategies—such as mediation or collaborative law—are viable. And if they are, the window to use them is often early, before emotions or procedural inertia lock you and your client into litigation.
That said, litigation may be necessary in cases involving coercion, hidden assets, domestic violence or noncooperation. In those situations, a hybrid model may still be possible—litigating only what must be decided in court while resolving everything else privately.
Real-World Impact: A Founder’s Divorce
One founder came to me before his divorce had even formally begun. He was preparing for a major liquidity event, and he knew a messy divorce could tank the deal.
No attorneys had been retained yet. But the writing was on the wall—and he wanted to avoid court at all costs.
We immediately structured a confidential court-free process. We looped in his financial and business advisors to align divorce negotiations with the timing of the transaction. Key issues like parenting, support and asset division were resolved without public filings or exposure.
The deal closed. The divorce was finalized quietly. No headlines, no operational disruption and no reputational damage were necessary.
A Smarter Way Forward
Divorce will always be a life transition—but it doesn’t have to be a crisis. For high-achieving professionals, divorce isn’t just about ending a relationship; it’s about protecting their focus, their company, their reputation and their legacy.
The smartest clients know this. They’re not trying to “win” a court case—they’re trying to move forward strategically, with their values and priorities intact.
And the smartest lawyers? They help them do just that.
The information provided here is not legal advice and does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on any specific matter. For legal advice, you should consult with an attorney concerning your specific situation.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here
