Executive Compensation And Divorce
Valuing and dividing executive compensation in a divorce requires someone who understands how these plans actually work — not just that they exist. Anne Schmidt does. Before private practice, she designed both qualified and nonqualified retirement plans at an Am Law 100 firm. She has seen the back end of these compensation structures, which means she knows exactly where the value sits and what it takes to divide it fairly.
Anne serves clients and consulting attorneys across the country on executive compensation matters incident to divorce, with particular depth in complex plan design and federal regulatory compliance.
What Falls Under Executive Compensation
Standard divorce formulas don’t capture the complexity of executive pay. Anne regularly handles:
- Stock options (both qualified and nonqualified)
- Restricted stock units (RSUs)
- Deferred compensation plans
- Incentive compensation
- Equity awards and profit interests
- Nonqualified retirement accounts
Each carries different tax implications, vesting schedules, and forfeiture risks. Getting the division wrong isn’t always immediately obvious — sometimes the error surfaces years later when assets vest or are distributed.
Technical Training Few Family Lawyers Have
Anne’s LL.M. in Employee Benefits gives her technical training that very few family lawyers have. Her time at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration means she understands how these plans are regulated from a compliance standpoint. And her Am Law 100 experience means she has actually worked on the design side — she knows what the plan documents say and why.
She consults with attorneys across the country as a primary resource on QILDROs, complex pension matters, and executive compensation division.
How Anne Charges For This Work
Executive compensation matters don’t fit a flat-fee model — the complexity varies too much. Anne uses hourly consulting and custom fee structures. She’ll give you a clear picture of scope and estimated cost before you commit.
Questions About Executive Compensation In Your Divorce?
Call 847-926-7679 or send an email. Whether you’re an individual navigating a complex divorce or an attorney who needs a specialist, Anne can provide a clear analysis of what you’re dealing with and what it will take to resolve it correctly.