ALBANY, N.Y. — August 28, 2026 — WhitsonLaw, PLLC has published its 2026 New York Complex-Asset Divorce Planning Checklist, an educational resource addressing financial records and legal questions that may arise when a marital estate includes business interests, executive compensation, real estate, trusts, inherited property, retirement benefits, investments, or substantial debt.
The checklist is available through the WhitsonLaw website. Journalists may request a media copy, supporting sources, or an interview with managing attorney Debra A. Whitson.
Checklist Focus
The publication organizes planning considerations into five areas:
- Identifying assets, liabilities, income sources, and ownership records
- Evaluating whether property may be marital, separate, or commingled
- Reviewing valuation methods, liquidity, debt, and future income
- Identifying potential tax and retirement-plan issues
- Coordinating legal, accounting, valuation, and financial analysis while considering privacy
It also lists records that may help establish a financial baseline, including tax returns, account statements, compensation agreements, business and trust documents, property records, retirement-plan information, loan documents, and marital agreements.
“An account balance or valuation does not necessarily show when an asset can generate cash, what obligations accompany it, or which tax issues may need review,” Whitson said. “The checklist is designed to help readers identify those questions early and organize the records needed for professional analysis.”
Primary Legal Sources
New York applies equitable distribution when allocating marital property. New York Domestic Relations Law Section 236 identifies factors courts may consider; it does not require an automatic equal division in every matter.
Classification and valuation questions may require added analysis when separate and marital funds have been combined, compensation becomes available over time, a closely held company lacks a ready market, or real estate is subject to financing obligations.
Retirement benefits can involve plan-specific requirements and federal tax rules. The checklist therefore directs readers to Internal Revenue Service guidance on retirement plans and divorce in addition to the New York statute.
The publication does not present survey findings, report statewide filing trends, predict legal outcomes, or replace advice based on individual circumstances.
About WhitsonLaw, PLLC
WhitsonLaw is a New York matrimonial and family-law firm serving clients in person and virtually. The firm handles divorce, child custody, child support, family offense matters, mediation, collaborative divorce, adoption, separation agreements, grandparents’ rights, and prenuptial agreements.
Media Contact
For the checklist, source links, interviews, or on-record commentary:
WhitsonLaw, PLLC
Email: info@whitsonlawfirm.com
Phone: (518) 412-4111 or (518) 652-1504
Website: whitsonlawfirm.com
Attorney Advertising. This release and the checklist provide general information only. They do not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Finance Zeus journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.