From straightforward separations to complex, high-asset cases, with an attorney who knows how to find hidden money.
Whether you are splitting up after a short marriage or ending a decades-long partnership, the decisions made early shape everything that follows. Brigantine Law represents North Shore clients through every type of divorce, from straightforward uncontested separations to complex high-asset matters involving business interests and financial concealment.
We approach every case with one goal: the best achievable outcome for you, pursued through the most efficient and least damaging process available. The sooner you understand your options, the more control you have over what comes next. Whether your divorce is contested or settled, we bring the full depth of our experience to every phase, from initial petition through final decree.
High-asset divorce: Founder and Managing Director Clinton Dalton spent years with the U.S. Department of Defense tracing hidden financial assets. That forensic expertise transfers directly to complex divorce, where financial concealment is common and having an attorney who knows how to find it makes a decisive difference.
A clear path through the court process, so you always know what comes next.
We learn your situation and goals, explain your options, and set a strategy built around the outcome that matters most to you.
We prepare and file the complaint (or respond to one your spouse has filed) in the Essex Probate and Family Court, opening your case.
When support, custody, or use of the home needs to be settled right away, we request temporary orders to protect you while the case proceeds.
Both sides exchange financial information. Where assets may be hidden, we use formal discovery and forensic analysis to uncover the full picture.
Most issues, and often the entire case, resolve through negotiation once the facts are clear. We push for a fair settlement wherever one is possible.
If a fair agreement is not reachable, we are fully prepared to try your case. The divorce becomes final after the statutory waiting period.
We represent clients across the full range of divorce and related matters, in and out of the courtroom.
When money has been moved out of sight, our DoD-trained, asset-tracing background helps level the field. Few Massachusetts family attorneys bring it.
Talk to UsFree resources to help you prepare and understand your options.
See how Massachusetts courts may approach dividing your marital property.
CalculatorEstimate potential spousal support under current Massachusetts guidelines.
QuizSpot the warning signs that a spouse may be concealing money or property.
ArticleWhat "equitable division" really means, and what it means for your case.
ArticleHow concealed money is uncovered, and what to do if you suspect it.
ArticleRealistic timelines for contested and uncontested divorce in Massachusetts.
A contested divorce typically takes a year or more, depending on the issues in dispute and the court's schedule. Many cases settle before trial once the facts are clear. By Massachusetts law there is also a statutory waiting period before any divorce becomes final.
In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on all terms and file a joint petition, which is faster and less expensive. A contested divorce is one where the spouses cannot agree on one or more issues, such as property, support, or custody, and the court process resolves the disputes.
Hiding assets in a divorce is illegal, and it is often discoverable. Attorney Clinton Dalton spent years with the U.S. Department of Defense tracing concealed funds, and that forensic experience transfers directly to high-asset divorce. We use formal discovery and financial analysis to find what has been hidden.
Most divorces settle before trial. We prepare every case as if it could go to trial, which strengthens your position in negotiation, but we always pursue the most efficient and least damaging path to a fair outcome.
Tell us a little about your situation and we'll reach out within one business day. No obligation, no pressure. Just a conversation with someone who can help.