High-Asset Separation · Family & Commercial
A short video on how high-asset splits really work — and where your share is hiding.
Tell us about your situation and lock in your free, confidential strategy session.
Real matters, real outcomes
Married 27 years, she'd given up her career for a business everyone said had nothing to do with her. The day she left, they cancelled her card and sacked her. We turned what she'd watched happen into evidence that he controlled the whole thing.
Eight-figure payout · family home kept mortgage-freeHe drew half a million from their home loan without asking, poured it into a business, then watched it fail. That loss would normally split across the whole pool — but because we understood how the business was set up, we pushed the debt back onto his side of the ledger.
Instead of −$500k, she walked away with $3.5MShe was sure there was nothing to claim — the business sat inside a family trust his parents set up, so on paper he owned none of it. But the trust had paid him an income for years and he ran it day to day. That's de facto control, and the Court can reach straight past the trust.
Her share of the assets she was told were off-limitsWhy we’re set up differently
Most people arrive having been told for years that the business and trusts have nothing to do with them — usually because it was set up to look that way. You need someone who can read those structures and pull them apart.
Protects your position, your children and your entitlements through the separation itself.
Reads the companies and trusts, finds the control, and pulls the hidden assets back into the pool.
Meet the leaders
Partner — Family Law
Maria has spent more than thirteen years working exclusively in family and relationship law. Her focus is high-net-worth separations with complicated finances behind them — the ones where money is spread across multiple companies and trusts, where property has to be divided both inside and outside Australia, and where children are caught up in custody disputes here and overseas.
Partner — Commercial Law
Having 15 years experience in the industry and with an accounting background, Vivian leads the commercial side of Hammond Nguyen Turnbull. She reads the companies, trusts and business structures that often sit behind a high-asset separation, asks the right questions and works out how to bring those assets back into the pool. Her job is to make sure nothing that should be counted gets left off the table.
Google 5.0★★★★★ Reviews
“I cannot speak highly enough of Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal and their incredible team, especially Maria, Vivian, Martin and Razeeha. What stands out most is their strategic approach — but when it comes time to fight within the framework of the law, they do it exceptionally well. I highly recommend Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal!”
“Hammond Nguyen Turnbull 10/10 experience. Especially Martin, who took on my family law matter and was extremely attentive to every detail whilst also being prompt and informing me directly on any updates. I would recommend Martin without any hesitation.”
“From the moment I spoke with Jack Dunn, I knew he was the kind of person who would go above and beyond for me. He guided me through every step, explained everything clearly, and I felt like I had someone truly in my corner. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal for my property purchase and couldn’t be happier. A special thanks to Rachel Siew, who was incredibly attentive, professional and thorough. Rachel and Andrew went above and beyond to ensure everything was handled with care.”
“I can’t thank Jabbour Haddad enough for the support he provided to my elderly mother during a very challenging time. He took the time to explain her rights in a way she could understand, without rushing or overwhelming her. That kind of thoughtfulness made a huge difference.”
“I want to sincerely thank the team at Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal for their incredible support and representation. They carried themselves with calm professionalism and weren’t afraid to speak up for my needs. Their guidance, warmth and clear communication gave me the emotional support and clarity I needed.”
“We would like to thank the team at Hammond Nguyen Turnbull for all their hard work and dedication on the recent sale of our property and the purchase of our new rural property. We would especially like to thank Andrew Pacini, who was always professional and prompt giving us guidance throughout.”
“I recently required legal assistance in relation to a speeding fine and was represented by Jack Dunn of Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal. Jack was clear, calm and highly articulate, and ultimately my three-month licence suspension was successfully overturned. I would not hesitate to recommend them.”
“Razeeha, Vivian and the team were fantastic in helping us with our matter. We couldn’t have done it without them. Would highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Razeeha for anyone needing help with work-related legal matters. She was professional, knowledgeable and very supportive throughout the process. Her clear advice and dedication made a stressful situation much easier to manage.”
“I cannot speak highly enough of Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal and their incredible team, especially Maria, Vivian, Martin and Razeeha. What stands out most is their strategic approach — but when it comes time to fight within the framework of the law, they do it exceptionally well. I highly recommend Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal!”
“Hammond Nguyen Turnbull 10/10 experience. Especially Martin, who took on my family law matter and was extremely attentive to every detail whilst also being prompt and informing me directly on any updates. I would recommend Martin without any hesitation.”
“From the moment I spoke with Jack Dunn, I knew he was the kind of person who would go above and beyond for me. He guided me through every step, explained everything clearly, and I felt like I had someone truly in my corner. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal for my property purchase and couldn’t be happier. A special thanks to Rachel Siew, who was incredibly attentive, professional and thorough. Rachel and Andrew went above and beyond to ensure everything was handled with care.”
“I can’t thank Jabbour Haddad enough for the support he provided to my elderly mother during a very challenging time. He took the time to explain her rights in a way she could understand, without rushing or overwhelming her. That kind of thoughtfulness made a huge difference.”
“I want to sincerely thank the team at Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal for their incredible support and representation. They carried themselves with calm professionalism and weren’t afraid to speak up for my needs. Their guidance, warmth and clear communication gave me the emotional support and clarity I needed.”
“We would like to thank the team at Hammond Nguyen Turnbull for all their hard work and dedication on the recent sale of our property and the purchase of our new rural property. We would especially like to thank Andrew Pacini, who was always professional and prompt giving us guidance throughout.”
“I recently required legal assistance in relation to a speeding fine and was represented by Jack Dunn of Hammond Nguyen Turnbull Legal. Jack was clear, calm and highly articulate, and ultimately my three-month licence suspension was successfully overturned. I would not hesitate to recommend them.”
“Razeeha, Vivian and the team were fantastic in helping us with our matter. We couldn’t have done it without them. Would highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Razeeha for anyone needing help with work-related legal matters. She was professional, knowledgeable and very supportive throughout the process. Her clear advice and dedication made a stressful situation much easier to manage.”
Straight from the phone
Real texts, emails and DMs from clients — names redacted for privacy.
Before you book
The first hour is free and completely confidential.
Usually far less than people fear. Getting the strategy right at the start is what stops a matter dragging on for years — and the right strategy costs a lot less than pushing the wrong one.
You often don't have to. We can seek an interim distribution or spousal maintenance from the other side, or use a litigation funder that only gets repaid at the end.
If he has de facto control, the Court can reach past the trust and pull those assets into the pool. Assessing that is exactly what the session is for.
An experienced lawyer at the firm.
One free, confidential hour with an experienced solicitor. No obligation.
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