John Lawler (Petitioner) Versus Carol Lawler (Respondent) Forensic Accountants’ Positions and Ruling by the Court Presented by Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA In the previous newsletter, I discussed the stipulations agreed upon by the parties for this trial, as well as a brief mention of the positions the forensic accountants would need…
Ron’s Corner In issue 68 of Forensic Accounting Today, I briefly discussed a case involving reasonable compensation in which I prevailed. This was a complex case involving the purchase of several accounting practices by Petitioner both before and after the couple’s date of separation. I have decided to devote this and at least one following…
By Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA Industry-Specific Databases The specific databases I have subscribed to for several years are surveys of attorneys, physicians, and accountants. Although some accountants may not obtain these surveys due to their cost, I subscribe because each provides a wealth of information that enables me to more accurately…
By Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA I always inform judges, attorneys and clients that business valuation is not an exact science. Two of those areas that require some subjectivity when valuing a business are the determination of reason- able compensation and the risk associated with the business. The means by which to…
If you inherited property, money, stocks or other assets either before your marriage or during it, the inheritance, whether cash, real estate, family heirloom, or anything at all, is your separate property. If you kept the asset separate, for example, put the inherited money in a separate bank account belonging only to you, it remains your…
When a divorcing couple owns a family business, it complicates the parties’ financial settlement. Generally, the business will be awarded to one of the spouses and how it is valued and divided depends on the type of business that is involved. When One Spouse is a Licensed Professional and Owner of the Business When one…
Background Greg and Jodie Mohler were married on September 12, 1998, and separated on July 2, 2011. Petitioner (Jodie) filed a Petition of Dissolution on January 25, 2012. Greg filed his response on April 9, 2012. Their trial did not take place until November 15, 2017. Jodie’s Proposed Statement of Decision identified several disputes. Among…
Presented by Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA Yes, California is a no-fault state. However, no fault relates only to grounds for the termination of a marriage. Financial fault, on the other hand, has no limits. It can lie in the past, present or future. In fact, it seems that as time passes…
Presented by Ron J. Anfuso, CPA, ABV, CFF, CDFA, FABFA Yes, California is a no-fault state. However, no fault relates only to grounds for the termination of a marriage. Financial fault, on the other hand, has no limits. It can lie in the past, present or future. In fact, it seems that as time passes…
In the State of California, retirement benefits are considered a form of employment compensation. Thus, the community estate owns the pension rights that pertain to employment during the marriage. This holds true regardless whether the pension benefits have vested or matured. The division of pension benefits between the separate and community estates must be “reasonable…