Denver, CO family law attorney Kristi Wells explains what is considered a high net-worth divorce case in Colorado. She explains that it really depends on the case. High-net-worth divorces might involve assets exceeding $10 million, but there is a distinction between a high-net-worth divorce and a complex divorce. For example, a $20 million divorce might be straightforward if the assets are primarily inherited wealth, governed by a premarital agreement, and uncontested by either party. In that scenario, despite the high dollar amount, the divorce could be relatively simple.

Conversely, a $5 million divorce might not be considered high asset, but complexity arises when one party earns $800,000 annually and owns a closely held business. Determining the business’s value, accounting for its income and future prospects, adds layers of complexity—especially if there are few other assets involved.

Her goal in these cases is to achieve an equitable resolution rather than dismantle the marital estate entirely, allowing businesses to continue operating while ensuring fair settlements. In Colorado, many of the high-asset cases she handles fall between $20 million and $70 million, though she has worked on cases both higher and lower in value that present their own unique complexities.