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Crystal Collins Spencer, the founder of Crystal Collins Spencer Attorney at Law, has over 38 years of courtroom experience in Florida and throughout the United States. She is very dedicated to her clients and has proven to be an aggressive and respected attorney.
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Pensacola, FL 32502
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The Role of a Forensic Accountant in a High Net-Worth Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawWhen considerable assets are involved in a Florida divorce, unraveling them can become a significant challenge. If one or both spouses have a high net worth, there may be structures that protect these assets. In these cases, it may be wise to hire someone who can investigate finances, whether for tax purposes, the ease of […]
The Impact of Divorce on Executive Compensation Packages and Stock Options
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawMarriage to a high earner in Florida may sound like life will be smooth sailing in the years ahead. That is not the case if the marriage ends in divorce. The higher a divorcing couple’s net worth in Florida, the more complicated their divorce. The divisions may not cover just assets such as a home, […]
Minimizing Reputational Damage During High-Net-Worth Divorces
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA Florida high-net-worth divorce can become incredibly complicated. The couple’s many assets must be identified and valued. These may include property, businesses, homes, cars, art, and antiques. This assumes all the assets are disclosed, which is not necessarily the case every time. A couple can work together to negotiate their dissolution, or the proceeding can […]
High Net Worth Divorces: Understanding the Intricacies of Valuing Private Equity Holdings
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawOver recent years, some high-net-worth individuals have emerged from the middle class by playing the market and investing in real estate. However, a typical eight percent return may not suffice for some with loftier financial aspirations. Private equity increases the risk but may also result in higher yields on your invested money. Also increasing is […]
Navigating the Complexities of Divorce and Pensions
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawYou may believe that in a Florida divorce, what is yours, with your name on it, is not subject to division. But this is not necessarily the case. Under Florida law, a pension, 401k, IRA, or profit-sharing plan you contributed during your marriage is subject to division. Simply put, it is a marital asset. Florida […]
Unpacking the Complexities of Trust Funds in High-Net-Worth Divorces
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawHigh-asset divorces are more complicated than divorces for couples of modest means, especially if trust funds are involved. A trust fund defines the formal relationship between the grantor, trustee (a third party), and beneficiary. An individual with assets transfers them into a trust, which defines who will manage the property if they cannot do so. […]
Protecting Intellectual Property Rights During a High Asset Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA high-asset divorce can bring particular complications to the settlement table. Both parties will understandably want to retain what they consider their individual property, but a marital settlement in Florida will divide assets equitably. While intellectual property (IP) often cannot be divided, its future profits are a consideration for a divorcing couple. To retain your […]
Divorce and the Impact on Luxury Assets: Yachts, Jets, and Beyond
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawLike 40 other states, Florida views divorce through the lens of “equitable distribution.” Equitable distribution requires both spouses in a divorce to be transparent about their assets before they are divided in a divorce. The process can become particularly complicated for high-net-worth individuals who have amassed a great deal in their lifetime, whether it be […]
Navigating the Transfer of Real Estate During a High Asset Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA Florida divorce is one of the most stressful events you can endure. Many individuals would like to stay put in the family home, especially if children are involved, and one of the most frequent questions from divorcing couples is whether they can keep the home. The answer is it depends. Florida is an “equitable […]
Divorce and Philanthropy: How to Handle Shared Charitable Endeavors
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawYou and your spouse have decided to go your separate ways. For most couples, that means dividing assets and making decisions about the children and custody issues. Some couples grow their wealth while married and are committed to charitable endeavors. The Family Wealth Report estimates in 2020, charitable giving amounted to $471 billion. The majority […]
Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality During a High-Net-Worth Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawAvoiding a lengthy court battle is the best way to keep personal matters private and confidential when a marriage ends. Preplanning can circumvent the potential for unwanted disclosure and stress on both parties. This can be accomplished by the spouses agreeing (before marriage) to a prenuptial agreement (prenup) that outlines how property and finances will […]
Mitigating the Risks of Business Depreciation During High Asset Divorces
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawDivorces can be complicated, and that is especially true if there are high assets involved. While both spouses must be transparent about all of their assets, it’s also crucial that they are valued accurately. Failure to do so can result in an uneven and even unfair distribution of assets. In Florida, equitable distribution of marital […]
Dealing with the Tax Consequences of a High Asset Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawAre you facing a divorce? Expect all aspects of your life to change. This is particularly true if you are part of a high-asset couple. Florida law states that fair and equitable is how assets are divided. With a high-asset couple, the division and tax implications can be more complicated by the valuation of a […]
New Florida Law Says 50/50 Sharing is Best for Children
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA new Florida law could have far-reaching implications for divorcing couples with children. Effective July 1, 2023, the new law signed by Governor DeSantis helps “unwed fathers” gain rights over a child they previously did not necessarily have as the parents were unmarried. In that case, even if his name was on the birth certificate, […]
New Florida Law Ends Permanent Alimony
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawWhile marriage has changed over the years, so have presumptions about alimony. Permanent alimony was previously allotted when a marriage dissolved after a long partnership, traditionally when the man left a woman who had been a housewife and mother and not earned an income outside of the home. Many couples still prefer that arrangement, […]