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Divorce Considerations for Physicians or Their Spouses

Divorce, with its financial and emotional turbulence, can be a difficult undertaking for any person. Adding the complexity of owning a medical practice, or an interest in a medical practice, creates an additional layer of concern for a licensed physician or other medical professional.

In Texas, a non-practitioner often cannot own a practice. This means spouse of a doctor would not be able to be awarded the medical practice even if there were a logical and non-confrontational way of doing that. What typically happens is the non-physician spouse is compensated for their community portion of the medical practice. What that community portion value equates to in money to be paid to the non-physician spouse depends on a variety of factors.

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How Is a Medical Practice Valued?

One of the most important parts of handling a medical practice in a divorce is determining its value. This can be a complex process as each practice is unique and each field of medicine and geographic market are different. A business valuation must look at the actual assets (property/medical equipment), review intangibles such as contingent fees, outstanding money owed, trademarks/copyrights, and look at the debts of the business.

Typically a qualified accountant or business valuation expert will come in, review the practice and estimate the value the purpose of the divorce. If the parties do not agree to the value then the parties may each use their own business valuation expert.

Attorney Ramos was recently successful at a trial with dueling valuation experts. The non-physician spouse and their expert asserted the value of a medical practice to be at $500,000.00 while the Ramos Law Group and its expert asserted it was closer to $60,000.00. After a lengthy jury trial, the jury sided with our firm and found the practice to be worth $60,000.00. This resulted in our client paying less to their spouse and ended up being a great deal and a fair outcome.

What Is Goodwill?

A factor to be considered when calculating a business valuation is the goodwill of the business. This is based on intangible factors such as business reputation and referrals. Goodwill often does not have any value without the physician or group of physicians it stems from. Goodwill is entirely fact specific so a licensed Texas family law attorney will be able to review the facts of your case and let you know how much value your specific goodwill has.

Is There a Buy/Sell Agreement in Place?

Very few medical practices these days are solely owned. Many medical professionals are in group practice and a common feature in a group practice is a buy/sell clause. This provision will give the other physician-owners the right to buy any shares or membership interests a divorcing owner would otherwise grant their ex-spouse. This could have implications on the overall divorce settlement, so if you are a physician in a group practice that has such an agreement it is important to consult with a divorce attorney who can analyze this and provide feedback on how it may affect your divorce.

The Ramos Law Group Standard

The Ramos Law Group has experience in zealously advocating for its medical professional clientele. In one specific instance, Attorney Mary Ramos was able to successfully present evidence in a jury trial as to the value of a doctor’s practice. The other side projected a much higher value (which would result in their client obtaining more money) but the Ramos Law Group was able to obtain a judgment for the physician client that was correct and fair. The attorneys at the Ramos Law Group have a wide-breadth of experience and attention to detail that result in our medical professional clients consistently getting good property divisions at court.

Our Client Testimonials

Superb Law Firm

The decision to end my 25-year marriage was not an easy one, but hiring the Ramos Law Group was. From the initial consultation to the execution of the Divorce Decree everyone at the firm displayed the utmost professionalism and I was treated as if I was their only client. My attorney Lindsey, always provided precise legal guidance, was usually one step ahead of the opposing counsel, and had a superb understanding of how things would play out in the court room. Additionally, whenever my case needed a little extra horsepower, Mary provided that "surge" to keep things on track.

Worth Every Penny

"Ms. Ramos and her entire staff worked with professionalism and compassion to guide me through the most difficult time of my life and to an outcome that was best for my family and myself. Ramos Law is incredible and I highly, highly recommend their services."

Custody case won

"I was recommended to see Mary Ramos for my on coming custody case,it was the best thing I could've done honestly.The Ramos law group was quick with emailed responses and telephone calls,informative with ANY questions I had and they also took action with what they thought would work,which it did,I had money troubles and they were still willing to help they sent me with a younger lawyer Lindsey Lewis to help save some money and she was the best!She knew what she was doing and Mary was still on my case to make sure things went smoothly and to catch any details Lindsey and I might have missed.All in all I am a very satisfied client and if I ever needed a family lawyer again I would come back.My case was won as I received primary for my daughter which is exactly what I asked for.If you're willing to listen to what they have to say and follow their guidance they're definitely worth hiring.I thought I wanted sole custody for my daughter and they explained that wasn't in the best interest for her and honestly they were right,they speak to you on a professional level and also a real level of how things are actually going to work and what could happen if you take a certain action.They definitely care about their clients and make their own bond with you,you're not just money in their pockets you turn into family. "

Divorce Attorney

"I received excellent advice and representation from Ms. Lindsey Lewis. She kept me updated at every step of the process, and I never felt as if my case was set aside. I would hire The Ramos Law Group in the future. "

Highly recommend

"I started my divorce with a lawyer who was not very responsive. My divorce case was complicated and needed more laborious scrutiny. Since the case was not moving forward I had to switch lawyers. Made the switch to Ramos Law group. Since the very first day Mary and her team have been very efficient and meticulous. Since the case was complicated the team had to go through myriads of pages in discovery. I was pleased with the legal team that helped us handle the paperwork in a very timely manner. All my questions were answered very promptly. The relay of information was easy with their software system. We finally had a law firm that we could trust. My divorce was finalized and I only have Mary and her team to thank for going through a difficult divorce. I would highly recommend the Ramos law group for their help and support for getting my life back on track. "

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