Certified Matrimonial Attorney Sylvia S. Costantino Warns of Costly Divorce Errors

RED BANK, N.J. — July 17, 2026 — A divorce in New Jersey is rarely simple, but for spouses with significant wealth, one wrong move can cost far more than legal fees — it can mean losing a business, overpaying in taxes, or walking away with a fraction of what they're entitled to. Sylvia S. Costantino, a Certified Matrimonial Attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Sylvia S. Costantino Esq., LLC in Red Bank, New Jersey, is highlighting the financial mistakes she sees most often among wealthy spouses navigating divorce — and how the right legal strategy can prevent them.

With nearly two decades devoted exclusively to New Jersey family law, the Law Offices of Sylvia S. Costantino Esq., LLC has represented business owners, executives, physicians, and multi-property families throughout Monmouth County and the surrounding region. As one of a select group of attorneys in New Jersey to hold the Certified Matrimonial Attorney designation from the New Jersey Supreme Court, Sylvia S. Costantino brings a level of financial sophistication to divorce cases that general practice attorneys often cannot match.

Why High Net Worth Divorces Demand a Different Approach

Divorce for a couple with a modest income and a shared checking account looks nothing like divorce for a couple with a closely held business, multiple properties, deferred compensation, or an eight-figure investment portfolio. New Jersey follows equitable distribution, meaning marital assets are divided fairly — not automatically split 50/50 — and "fair" becomes far more complicated when there are business valuations, tax consequences, and hidden or hard-to-value assets involved.

"The stakes are simply higher," Sylvia S. Costantino said. "A missed valuation, an overlooked tax consequence, or a rushed settlement can cost a spouse hundreds of thousands of dollars — sometimes millions — over the course of their life. My job is to make sure that never happens to my clients."

Because of this complexity, Sylvia S. Costantino says wealthy spouses need a high asset divorce lawyer who understands not just family law, but forensic accounting, business valuation, and long-term financial planning.

The Five Financial Mistakes Wealthy Spouses Make Most Often in Divorce

Drawing on nearly twenty years of case experience, Sylvia S. Costantino outlined the recurring errors that put high value settlements at risk.

1. Underestimating the Value of a Business Interest

Business owners frequently assume their company's value is whatever it says on paper — or worse, whatever their spouse's attorney claims it is worth. Without an independent forensic valuation, spouses risk either overpaying to keep a business or accepting a buyout that undervalues years of work and future earning potential. A skilled divorce attorney works alongside forensic accountants to determine true value, factoring in goodwill, cash flow, and future growth potential.

2. Overlooking the Tax Consequences of Asset Division

Not all assets are created equal once taxes are factored in. A $500,000 retirement account and a $500,000 brokerage account are not worth the same amount after taxes and penalties are applied. Spouses who divide assets without modeling the after-tax impact often end up with a settlement that looks fair on paper but leaves them financially worse off than their former spouse.

3. Failing to Fully Disclose or Uncover Hidden Assets

In high asset marriages, wealth is rarely limited to a joint bank account. Offshore accounts, undervalued real estate, deferred stock options, cryptocurrency, and business accounts are all common places where assets can be hidden or simply mismanaged during a divorce. Spouses who don't insist on full financial discovery — including subpoenas, depositions, and forensic tracing — risk permanently losing access to assets they are legally entitled to.

4. Rushing to Settle to "Get It Over With"

Divorce is emotionally exhausting, and many spouses want nothing more than to sign the paperwork and move on. But a rushed settlement, especially one involving complex compensation structures like stock options, restricted stock units, or deferred bonuses, can leave significant money on the table. Patience — paired with the right legal and financial guidance — almost always produces a better long-term outcome.

5. Ignoring Long-Term Financial Planning

A settlement that looks generous today can fall apart over the next decade if it doesn't account for retirement timelines, healthcare costs, cost-of-living increases, or changes in alimony obligations. Wealthy spouses need a high asset divorce attorney who thinks beyond the divorce decree and helps structure a settlement that protects their financial future, not just their financial present.

Why the Certified Matrimonial Attorney Designation Matters

New Jersey's Certified Matrimonial Attorney credential, awarded by the New Jersey Supreme Court, is held by a small percentage of the state's family law attorneys. Certification requires years of dedicated family law practice, extensive trial and negotiation experience, and passing a rigorous peer and board review process.

"When a client hires a Certified Matrimonial Attorney, they're hiring someone who has been vetted at the highest level by the New Jersey Supreme Court," Sylvia S. Costantino explained. "It's not a marketing title — it reflects years of experience handling exactly these kinds of complex, high value divorce cases."

For clients evaluating divorce attorneys for a high asset divorce, Sylvia S. Costantino encourages them to ask directly whether a prospective divorce attorney holds this certification, and how many complex, high asset divorce cases they have personally handled.

What Sets a High Asset Divorce Attorney Apart

According to Sylvia S. Costantino, the difference between a general family law attorney and a true high asset divorce attorney comes down to three things: financial fluency, negotiation strategy, and litigation readiness.

Financial Fluency

A divorce attorney handling a high asset divorce needs to be comfortable reading tax returns, K-1s, business balance sheets, and investment statements — not simply outsourcing that work and hoping for the best. Sylvia S. Costantino works closely with forensic accountants and financial experts to build a complete picture of marital assets before any settlement discussion begins.

Negotiation Strategy

Not every high asset divorce needs to go to trial. In fact, many are resolved more efficiently and with better outcomes through skilled negotiation, mediation, or collaborative divorce. But that requires a divorce attorney who understands what leverage exists and how to use it — something only possible with a full financial picture in hand.

Litigation Readiness

When negotiation isn't enough, wealthy spouses need a divorce attorney who is fully prepared to litigate and has a track record of doing so successfully. Sylvia S. Costantino's clients know that while she pursues fair resolutions whenever possible, she is fully prepared to take a case to court when a spouse is uncooperative or a settlement offer doesn't reflect what her client is entitled to.

Divorce Lawyer Serving Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties

Based in Red Bank, the Law Offices of Sylvia Costantino, Esq., LLC has built its reputation representing families throughout Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties. As a longtime Monmouth County divorce attorney, Sylvia S. Costantino has developed a deep understanding of the local courts and financial professionals who play a role in high asset divorce cases throughout the region — an advantage that out-of-area or general practice firms simply cannot offer.

Clients searching for a Monmouth County divorce lawyer who understands both the legal and financial complexity of a high net worth divorce consistently cite Sylvia S. Costantino's preparation, responsiveness, and courtroom credibility as reasons they chose her firm — and why they refer her to their friends and colleagues facing similar family law circumstances.

Family Lawyer Protecting Assets Before Divorce Ever Begins

Sylvia S. Costantino also emphasizes that protecting wealth doesn't have to start during divorce — it can start well before marriage, or even during it. A properly drafted prenuptial agreement can prevent many of the disputes that make high asset divorces so contentious, by clearly defining separate versus marital property from the outset. For couples who are already married, postnuptial agreements can offer similar protection.

Additionally, understanding how New Jersey's equitable distribution laws apply to specific assets, from businesses to real estate to retirement accounts, allows spouses to make informed decisions long before a divorce filing is ever considered.

Frequently Asked Questions About High Asset Divorce in New Jersey

What qualifies as a "high asset" divorce in New Jersey?

There is no fixed dollar threshold, but divorces are generally considered high asset when they involve significant net worth, business ownership, multiple properties, complex investment portfolios, executive compensation, or assets that require professional valuation.

Is New Jersey a 50/50 divorce state?

No. New Jersey follows equitable distribution, meaning marital assets are divided fairly based on a range of factors — not automatically split evenly. This makes experienced legal guidance from a divorce lawyer essential in high asset divorce cases.

What is a Certified Matrimonial Attorney?

A Certified Matrimonial Attorney is an official legal designation awarded by a state supreme court or state bar to lawyers who demonstrate exceptional expertise, extensive trial experience, and ethical integrity in divorce and family law. Only a small number of attorneys in New Jersey hold this credential.

How is a business valued during a divorce?

Business valuation typically involves a forensic accountant or valuation expert who examines cash flow, assets, liabilities, goodwill, and future earning potential to determine a fair market value that can withstand scrutiny in negotiation or court.

Can hidden assets be uncovered during a divorce in Monmouth County, New Jersey?

Yes. Through formal financial discovery, subpoenas, depositions, and forensic accounting, an experienced Monmouth County divorce attorney can identify assets that a spouse may have attempted to conceal or undervalue.

About the Law Offices of Sylvia S. Costantino Esq., LLC

The Law Offices of Sylvia Costantino Esq., LLC is a Red Bank, New Jersey-based family law firm dedicated exclusively to divorce and family law matters throughout Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties. Led by Certified Matrimonial Attorney Sylvia S. Costantino, the firm has spent nearly twenty years representing families through divorce, child custody, alimony, equitable distribution, and high net worth divorce matters, earning recognition from Super Lawyers and a reputation for combining compassionate guidance with aggressive advocacy. Contact the Law Offices of Sylvia Costantino Esq., LLC for a strategic consultation with an experienced family lawyer.

Media Contact:

Law Offices of Sylvia Costantino, Esq., LLC
58 Rector Place
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 741-2600
URL: Monmouth County Divorce Attorneys: https://www.njfamilylawdivorce.com

Contact Information:

Law Offices of Sylvia S. Costantino

58 Rector Place
Red Bank, NJ 07701
United States

Sylvia Costantino
(732) 328-6972
https://njfamilylawdivorce.com/