The Challenge:
Executive with $3.2M in RSUs (mix of vested and unvested). Spouse’s attorney argued entire value should be divided immediately. Would have cost client $1.6M.

Mary’s Strategy:
– Sophisticated time-rule analysis showing portions attributable to post-divorce work
– Tax analysis of different division scenarios
– Structured division protecting client’s incentive compensation tied to future performance
– Negotiated alternative offsetting assets

The Outcome
Court adopted Mary’s analysis. Client retained RSUs vesting based on his post-divorce performance (approximately $900,000 in value). Spouse received equivalent value through other marital assets plus partial RSU allocation. Tax-efficient structure saved additional $150,000 in taxes.

Client Quote
“Mary understood my RSU structure better than our HR department. She structured a division that was fair while protecting compensation tied to my future work. Most attorneys would have just split everything 50/50 and cost me nearly $1M.”