If I started a sole proprietorship in 1980, was married in 1982, and
sole proprietorship, with same name and business purpose, was
converted to a subchapter-S corporation in 1987, then how does
Maryland law treat it for divorce purposes?  Business is owned over
90% by me.  Is business not martial property to share because it
started before the marriage?  If shared, what are typical outcomes for
divorce and a small closely held business - estimated revenues 1-2
million and profits 10%?

Dear knowledge007,

I think that your last question ("If shared, what are typical outcomes for
divorce and a small closely held business - estimated revenues 1-2
million and profits 10%?")is unanswerable. Business valuation depends
upon a wide range of factors, and requires examination of the
business's financial records. Practices in divorce include having each
party separately appraise the business and then having the parties,
judge, the experts, or a third appraiser try to come up with a
reasonable value based upon the two appraisals; or having the parties
mutually agree upon an appraiser, and stipulate to accepting the value
the appraiser places on the business. The latter approach is much
cheaper, but is also riskier.