High-Asset Divorce Attorney in Queens

13 Years of Complex Divorce Experience. Local Court Relationships. Selective by Design.

High-asset divorce is a different category of legal work. When a marital estate includes business interests, investment real estate, retirement accounts, stock options, or professional licenses, the stakes extend well beyond the marriage itself. How assets are classified, valued, and divided can shape a client’s financial position for decades. At Markfeld Law, founding partner Natalie Markfeld brings over 13 years of complex family law experience to these cases, along with established relationships throughout the Queens County court system and the focused commitment that comes from a firm that takes cases it believes in.

We serve high-asset divorce clients throughout Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.

If you’re facing a high-asset divorce in Queens, early legal involvement matters. Call us at (718) 569-8618 to schedule a consultation.

How New York’s Equitable Distribution Rules Apply to Complex Estates

New York follows equitable distribution, meaning the court divides marital property fairly rather than equally. Judges weigh more than a dozen statutory factors: the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, contributions to marital assets, and projected financial circumstances going forward, among others. In a high-asset case, these factors interact in ways that require careful analysis and preparation.

Property acquired before the marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, is generally treated as separate property and isn’t subject to division. But commingled funds or marital contributions to otherwise separate property can blur that line. Tracing and classifying assets correctly is often one of the most consequential tasks in the case.

Assets that frequently require expert valuation include:

• Closely held businesses and professional practices
• Stock options and deferred compensation
• Investment real estate
• Pension and retirement accounts
• Enhanced earning capacity arising from professional licenses and degrees

Marital debt is also subject to equitable distribution. A spouse can be exposed to liability for debt the other accumulated during the marriage, making a thorough debt assessment as important as asset identification. Asset dissipation, where one spouse spends down or conceals marital assets in anticipation of divorce, is a recognized concern in high-asset cases and can be addressed through discovery and court intervention.

Spousal Maintenance in High-Income Divorces

New York’s maintenance statute uses a formula tied to both spouses’ incomes and the length of the marriage. Under current New York law, the income cap for the paying spouse is $241,000 for 2026. Income above that threshold is addressed through judicial discretion rather than the formula, which means negotiations in high-earning marriages often involve detailed financial modeling and can become one of the most contested elements of a settlement.

Tax treatment adds another layer of complexity. Under current federal law, post-divorce maintenance is no longer deductible for agreements executed after December 31, 2018, though New York State and City tax treatment may differ. That distinction can affect how parties structure settlement terms. Spousal maintenance duration is guided by advisory schedules tied to the length of the marriage, but courts retain discretion based on factors including a spouse’s health, earning capacity, and the standard of living established during the marriage.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements in a High-Asset Divorce

A valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can control how property is divided and may override New York’s equitable distribution rules entirely. But agreements can be challenged on grounds including lack of full financial disclosure, duress, or unconscionability. Reviewing the enforceability of an existing agreement before litigation begins is a critical early step. An agreement that can’t withstand scrutiny may expose assets a client believed were protected.

We handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements as a dedicated practice area, both in the drafting context and when an existing agreement becomes contested in divorce proceedings. Postnuptial agreements entered during the marriage can address significant changes in financial circumstances, including a business acquisition, an inheritance, or a major shift in income and can reduce conflict if the marriage later dissolves.

Local Court Knowledge & a Selective Caseload

Contested divorce proceedings in Queens County are handled at the Queens County Supreme Court in Jamaica. Natalie Markfeld knows the judges and attorneys who work there, and they know her. That familiarity is a practical asset in complex proceedings, not just a credential. It can affect how cases are managed, how negotiations are framed, and how efficiently matters move through the court.

High-asset divorce cases frequently involve forensic accountants, business valuation professionals, real estate appraisers, and other financial experts whose findings can significantly affect the outcome of asset division. We work alongside these professionals and build their analysis into our litigation and negotiation strategy. Where both parties are prepared to negotiate in good faith, alternative dispute resolution methods can preserve more of the marital estate than prolonged litigation. When the case requires a courtroom, we’re ready for it.

About Natalie Markfeld

Ms. Markfeld founded Markfeld Law in 2020 after serving as managing partner of the Family Law department at Daniella Levi & Associates, PC, for eight years, a department she built from the ground up in 2012. She has handled complex divorce and family matters throughout New York State and has been selected to the New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022. No more than 2.5% of attorneys in the state receive that recognition in any given year. While in law school at Washington University School of Law, she served as an Associate Editor on the Journal of Law and Policy. She is fluent in Hebrew.

Clients describe Ms. Markfeld as “widely respected as an aggressive and highly competent family law attorney” who “thinks outside the box.” In high-asset divorce cases, that combination matters.

Schedule a Consultation

In a high-asset divorce, decisions made early in the case, including how to classify assets and whether to pursue forensic review, carry lasting financial consequences. The sooner experienced counsel is involved, the more options may remain available. We offer consultations for clients facing complex divorce matters in Queens and throughout the New York City area, and we return calls promptly.

Contact Markfeld Law at (718) 569-8618 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your consultation.