Divorcing as a Dentist in Dedham, MA: Who Keeps the Dental Practice and What Happens Next?

Amelia built her dental practice in Dedham, MA, from the ground up. To make that happen, she poured years of her life, not to mention money, into making it a success. Now, as her divorce looms large, the fear of losing that practice is keeping her awake at night.

Being a dentist isn’t just a job to her. It’s her identity, her livelihood, and, one day, her legacy. Not surprisingly, she doesn’t want to see it compromised because of a divorce. More specifically, she’s concerned about how the practice will be divided, what rights she will have regarding asset division, alimony, and child custody, and whether the years she sacrificed, not to mention time away from her children, will mean anything once a judge gets involved.

As you can see, divorces involving dentists can be complicated. Whether you’re a dentist, married to one, or both you and your spouse work as dentists, there are special issues that come up because of the nature of the profession, plus those you may not have been anticipating. Along with the high cost of dental school and owning a business whose value is comprised of more than just a paycheck, talking to a Dedham family law attorney early on will thus be your best line of defense.

They can help you understand what to expect and answer questions as they apply specifically to your case. In the meantime, consider the following.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dentist Divorce in Dedham, MA

Here are the most frequently asked questions about dentist divorce in Dedham, MA. Always consult a family law attorney about your case.

Who keeps the dental practice in a divorce in Dedham, MA?

The question, “How is a dental practice divided in a divorce in Dedham, MA?” comes up a lot. In Massachusetts, all property acquired during the marriage is considered “marital property.” This includes assets owned jointly or individually, regardless of whether they were bought before or during the marriage.

Massachusetts isn’t a community property state, so assets are divided equitably, which means they are divided fairly, as determined during the divorce, following careful analysis and, eventually, agreement. But that may not mean they will be divided equally. Often, they are not.

If a couple can’t agree on how to split property, a judge will step in and evaluate the circumstances to make a final decision. When disputes exist as to which assets spouses will keep (spouses often have a preference), one asset is frequently exchanged for another during the negotiations. The marital home is a typical example of an asset one spouse will fight to keep and end up doing so in lieu of or after an offset against another asset, such as a retirement account.

In a dentist divorce where the dentist owns their practice, the largest or one of the most significant assets could be the dental practice itself. That’s because the practice itself is a business, with both tangible and intangible assets within it to consider.

How are dental practices valued during a dentist divorce in Dedham, MA?

Valuing a dental practice in a divorce for dentists requires considering numerous tangible elements: physical equipment (dental chairs, equipment, and supplies), and the building and land it sits on if the dentist owns those as well.

Intangible assets are just as important. These include accounts receivable, which is money owed to the practice, and goodwill. Goodwill is the practice’s value beyond physical assets and money owed. It’s the reason patients choose that specific practice.

The valuation may also include examination of the company’s financials and projecting income into the future.

Along with the practice’s value, factors like how long the couple was married and when the practice started will play a role in asset division. If the marriage lasted a short time, say a year or less, the practice is less likely to be split. Similarly, if the practice was opened after the couple separated financially or after divorce proceedings began, it may not be part of the marital property division.

Every case is unique. That’s why working with a Dedham, MA, divorce attorney who understands the nuances of dental practice valuation and asset division in a dentist divorce can help.

How is child custody decided for dentists in Dedham, MA?

Dentists often work long, demanding hours and may also need to travel for continuing education or dental conferences. These professional demands can make it more challenging to agree on a parenting plan that balances both work and family responsibilities.

When parents cannot agree on child custody or a parenting plan, a judge must decide what arrangement will serve the child’s best interests. In doing so, the judge will consider several factors:

• The child’s specific needs. Needs include any medical conditions, behavioral issues, or developmental disabilities, as well as how close each parent’s home is to extended family, schools, and medical providers.
• The child’s current and potential living arrangements. Judges want to see that each parent can provide a safe, stable environment.
• The parents’ criminal history. Parents with a record or history of violent crimes, domestic violence, or substance abuse generally won’t get significant time in a custody arrangement.
• The parents’ respective incomes. Income affects child support decisions, including which parent will pay for health insurance, extracurricular activities, and other child-related expenses.
• The parents’ work schedules: A highly demanding work schedule can affect a parent’s ability to care for the child day-to-day.
• The reasons underlying why each parent is seeking custody. Judges look at whether a parent is acting in accordance with the child’s best interests or using custody as a bargaining chip.
• Parenting philosophies and their plans for the future. The court looks at each parent’s child-rearing approach and their plans for running their households.
• The child’s preferences. Judges may consider what a mature child (around age 14) with the mental capacity of someone their age wants.

Because every family is unique, the custody outcome can vary greatly among families. A family law attorney familiar with dentist divorces in Dedham, MA, can help you understand and prepare for this process.

Do I have to pay alimony if I’m a dentist getting divorced in Dedham, MA?

Alimony often becomes an issue when one spouse earned significantly more during the marriage. At its core, spousal support is designed to allow the lower-earning spouse to maintain the standard of living the couple established while they were married.

Couples can agree on alimony without involving the court. But if they can’t agree, a judge will look at:

• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse’s age and health
• The income, employment, and employability of both spouses
• The income from wages, bonuses, investments, stocks, or stock options
• How spouses contributed financially and non-financially to the marriage
• Whether either spouse experienced lost economic opportunities due to the marriage
• Each spouse’s ability to maintain their standard of living after divorce

In Massachusetts, it doesn’t matter who files for divorce; both spouses may be entitled to alimony.  What matters is if the payer can afford it and the receiving spouse can show need. Couples may negotiate alimony payments to be paid in lump sums, equal periodic payments, or to decrease over time until the alimony period is over.

What happens to student loans in divorce in Dedham, MA?

Given the high cost of dental school and the associated prevalence of student loan debt for dentists, the question of who is responsible for student loans often becomes a contentious issue in dentist divorces.

In Massachusetts, student loan debt is usually considered marital debt. But courts look closely at when and why the debt was incurred. For example, did the debt benefit the marriage or only one spouse? Was it used to pay for living expenses while in school? Did the couple prioritize paying one spouse’s debt from marital income? Did the education lead to increased income that benefited the marriage?

Usually, the spouse who assumed student loan debt will remain responsible for it. However, a Dedham, MA, family court may adjust how other assets and debts are divided to account for this.

Summary of FAQs About Dentist Divorce in Dedham, MA

Here’s a recap of frequently asked questions about dentist divorce, dental practice division, and related issues in Dedham, MA.

Who keeps the dental practice in a divorce?

Massachusetts divides marital property based on fairness, not a 50/50 split. If a dentist’s practice was built or grew during the marriage, it will likely be designated to be part of the marital estate. That doesn’t mean the practice gets sold or split down the middle. One spouse might keep the business while the other gets other assets in return. A judge will weigh each spouse’s contributions and decide what makes sense if you can’t agree on your own.

How is a dental practice valued during divorce?

Valuing a dental practice includes both hard numbers (like equipment and receivables) and less tangible elements, like profit, projections, and goodwill. Goodwill represents the reputation and loyalty that is built over time. When the practice was started and how long the marriage lasted may also play a part. It’s a detailed process that can benefit from professional input from a family law attorney in Dedham, MA.

What happens with child custody if one parent is a dentist?

In Dedham, MA, courts will focus on the child’s best interests in a divorce. That means looking at each parent’s availability, the stability of each parent’s household, as well as their income, parenting style, and work schedule. Dentists tend to have demanding hours, so the goal will be to build a parenting plan that reflects that realistically. Judges also consider factors like proximity to schools, family, and even the child’s preferences if they’re old enough and have the mental capacity to weigh in.

Will I have to pay alimony as a dentist?

Possibly. Alimony awards depend on the income gap between spouses, how long the marriage was, and each person’s ability to maintain a similar standard of living after the divorce. If one spouse put their career on hold while the other built their dental practice, that will be taken into account. The court can order temporary or long-term payments, but couples can agree on their own to an arrangement.

Who pays for student loans in a dentist divorce?

That will depend on when the loans were taken out and how the money was used. If the debt supported the household or raised the family’s income, the court may count it as a shared obligation. But most of the time, the person who borrowed the money will be responsible for paying it back, especially if it only benefited their career.

How can I find a family law attorney in Dedham, MA, who understands dentist divorces?

Divorces involving dentists raise many questions about business valuation, student debt, child custody, spousal support, and more. Handling these issues properly can protect the life you and your spouse have built and help you move forward with a tactical plan in place.

At Farias Family Law, our empathetic team of Dedham, MA, family law attorneys understands these challenges. We recognize how much is at stake and how contentious negotiations can get when a dental practice is involved.

Whether you are thinking about divorce or are ready to move forward, we can help you understand the process, your rights, and what you can expect during the divorce process and afterward. Contact our Dedham, MA, office to talk with someone about your situation.