How it works

de Blonk Smith Young help clients of family law firms get their fair share of the asset pool. Our commercial focus, together with independent and objective advice, provides your clients with a good understanding of the financial and taxation implications, which are critical to the success of all property settlements.

What we do

• Interpret expert valuation reports
• Analyse financial statements and income tax returns
• Explain complex structures in simple terms
• Determine the taxation implications
• Develop strategies to settle the property pool
• Evaluate settlement offers
• Business and entity valuations
• Structure assets post settlement in the most appropriate manner

Our success stories

Saving tax, increasing the property pool

“John’s taxation advice increased the property pool by $500,000”

The husband and wife were involved in negotiations to divide the asset pool following the sale of the family business on a 40/60 basis. We were instructed by the wife’s solicitor to provide taxation advice with respect to the distribution of cash from the family company to finalise the property settlement. We were able to structure the cash distribution in a tax effective manner, which increased the amount of cash available by approximately $500,000. The wife was very happy to learn that she would receive an additional $300,000.

A good understanding of the property pool in the early stages can save time and money

“John saved our client time and money”

The husband had an interest in a large business involving a complex structure of companies and trusts. The wife’s solicitor instructed us as a Shadow Expert. We conducted a detailed review of the entities and explained the husband’s business interests to the wife in a concise and simple manner. The wife had a good understanding of the property pool in the early stages of negotiations and was able to settle the matter in fair and equitable manner without the costs and time of going to mediation.

Getting a defensible valuation can help settle the property pool

“John’s valuation of the business helped with negotiations”

Acting for the husband, we valued his interest in a professional firm adopting Value to Owner as the standard of value. Our valuation report was provided to the wife and her solicitor. The wife initially thought that the business had a much higher value, which was making negotiations difficult. Using our valuation report, the husband was able to demonstrate that the value was reasonable and was able to successfully negotiate the property settlement at mediation, avoiding a possible trial.