Colorado Divorce Strategy Guide for Tech Professionals: Protecting RSUs, Stock Options, and High-Value Assets
By Matthew C. Clawson – “The Divorce Guy”
Who This Guide Is For
- Software engineers, product managers, data scientists, and tech executives with equity compensation packages
- Professionals working at major companies like Google, Amazon, Oracle, Salesforce, Lockheed Martin, or Colorado-based startups
- Anyone navigating a Colorado divorce while holding RSUs (Restricted Stock Units), PSUs (Performance Stock Units), stock options, or pre-IPO equity
Understanding Divorce for Colorado Tech Professionals
Colorado is an equitable distribution state — meaning marital property is divided fairly, not necessarily 50/50. For high-earning tech professionals, that often includes:
- Salary and cash bonuses
- RSUs, PSUs, and stock options
- 401(k)s and brokerage accounts
- Crypto and other digital assets
- Pre-IPO and start-up equity
If you don’t take strategic action, you could lose far more than necessary — both in asset division and spousal/child support obligations.
Key Divorce Issues for Tech Professionals in Colorado
1. Dividing Equity Compensation (RSUs, PSUs, Stock Options)
If granted during the marriage, unvested stock can be classified as marital property. Colorado courts often use the coverture (Hunt) formula to determine the marital portion. PSUs add complexity because they depend on future company performance.
Strategy Tips:
- Negotiate division only upon vesting to avoid speculative payouts.
- Use risk-sharing formulas to balance uncertainty.
- Trade equity for other assets (cash, real estate) to simplify division.
2. High-Income Support Exposure
Colorado’s spousal maintenance and child support guidelines use gross income, which includes:
- Salary
- Bonuses
- Vested RSUs
- Deferred compensation
Without careful planning, stock-based pay can be double-counted as both income and an asset.
Strategy Tips:
- Separate vested vs. unvested shares in your disclosures.
- Avoid overestimating future stock value (“phantom income”).
- Consider a vocational or forensic expert to evaluate earning potential.
3. Privacy and Intellectual Property Protection
Tech professionals may need to disclose confidential project details or intellectual property during divorce discovery. NDAs and company policies can complicate this.
Strategy Tips:
- Seek a protective order to safeguard sensitive documents.
- Limit disclosure scope to what’s legally required.
- Coordinate with in-house counsel or HR if necessary.
4. Retirement Plans and Cryptocurrency
Many tech professionals hold:
- 401(k)s with employer matching
- Roth IRAs and brokerage accounts
- Cryptocurrency in exchanges, cold wallets, or DeFi platforms
Strategy Tips:
- Trace premarital contributions and growth for separate property claims.
- Fully disclose all crypto holdings to avoid allegations of concealment.
5. Pre-IPO or Start-Up Equity
Founder shares, early-stage stock options, and start-up equity require extra care.
Strategy Tips:
- Review vesting schedules, term sheets, and cap tables.
- Account for uncertain valuations with floors, ceilings, or staged buyouts.
- Delay division until liquidity events (IPO, acquisition, or funding round).
Your Colorado High-Asset Divorce Team
To protect your career and assets, hire a Colorado divorce attorney who:
- Understands tech-sector compensation structures
- Coordinates with financial planners, CPAs, and valuation experts
- Is skilled in marital tracing and protective settlement drafting
Final Thoughts from Matthew C. Clawson
“The biggest mistake tech professionals make in divorce is waiting too long to plan. RSUs, bonuses, and even your coding IP can become leverage points if you don’t have the right legal strategy in place.”
With the right planning, divorce doesn’t have to destroy your career or your financial future.
Ready to Protect What You’ve Built?
Schedule a confidential strategy session today. Let’s protect your equity, your career, and your future.