Any divorce in Florida can be complicated, but wealthy people have added considerations to make. A person’s tax liability often comes into play in a high-asset divorce. Both married and divorced wealthy people often decide to share their fortune with those in need, which can offset their tax burden besides being a good thing to do. Mackenzie Bezos, the ex-wife of Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, recently took a pledge to donate at least half of her fortune from her divorce to charity.
Jeff and Mackenzie Bezos finalized their divorce earlier this year, and she walked away with assets totaling over $35 billion. She is currently one of the wealthiest women in the world. She decided to take The Giving Pledge, which means she promises to donate more than half of her assets over the course of her life, or after her passing.
The Giving Pledge was started by billionaires Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett back in 2010. There is no legal recourse if those who sign it fail to honor their commitment, and benefactors can choose where their assets go. Over 200 people have signed the pledge.
Jeff Bezos publicly praised his ex-wife for her philanthropic efforts, though he has not committed to take the pledge himself. Mackenzie reports that she will carefully consider where she donates her assets. She has previously donated to charities that fund cancer and Alzheimer’s research and founded an anti-bullying nonprofit a few years ago.
No matter what a person of means decides to do with his or her assets after a divorce, it is easy to see how important it is that the agreement is fair. A high-asset divorce can be contentious, but an experienced family law attorney can help a person keep his or her priorities front and center, rather than giving over to emotion. If the person decides to better other lives here in Florida once the divorce is finalized, it is important that he or she is awarded a fair share.