For couples with high-value assets, a divorce can cause these assets to be split unequally, meaning expert legal advice and representation is vital for protecting your best interests and achieving the best possible result.Our experienced High Net Worth Divorce specialists have decades of experience and worktogether with our Wealth Management team to adviseyou.
What a High Net-Worth Divorce Can Include
Lump Sum Payments
There may need to be a lump sum capital payment, either to equalise assets, provide for capital needs such as housing or achieve a clean break.
Spousal Maintenance
Ongoing payments to support your ex-spouse, especially if there’s a significant difference in income or earning capacity. This can be for a fixed term or longer, depending on the situation. In high net worth cases, it may be possible to capitalise maintenance.
Property or Investment Transfer or Sale
You may be required to transfer or sell property, including family homes, holiday homes, or investments. There are often tax consequences associated with disposal of these assets
Pension Sharing
Courts can divide pension assets, even if they’re not yet accessible. For high earners, this can be significant.
Financial provision for Children
In high net worth cases, arrangements for children often fall outside of standard child maintenance provisions and can include the need for school fees and university funding or extra curricular activities.
Ringfenced or non-matrimonial assets
In high net worth cases, it is often the case that the source of wealth is important. Wealth may have been accrued through family connections such as inheritance or trust arrangements or through exceptional contribution by one party.
Inheritance planning
When there is significant wealth at stake, careful inheritance planning before and after divorce is important.
Our High Net Worth Divorce Services:
Negotiating financial settlements
Our solicitors have decades of combined experience negotiating financial settlements for high net-worth individuals. This includes business assets, on- and off-shore investments, property portfolios and pensions.
Protecting your assets
Our experts ensure any financial settlement or agreement is representative of your best interests and protects your assets, including property, savings and land.
Asset valuation and uncovering potentially hidden assets
Our Specialist Family solicitors will consult with you and complete a comprehensive asset valuation to understand the full value of your property and savings while uncovering any unknown assets to ensure everything is covered in a future settlement.
Considering tax liabilities and if appropriate referring to trusted tax advisers
Our expert high net worth divorce lawyers can advise you on the often substantial tax implications of dividing high-value assets, such as Capital Gains Taz and Inheritance Tax, and make efforts to mitigate their impact for improved long-term stability.
Assistance with post-divorce planning, such as wills and inheritance
Our Inheritance team are available to provide advice and guidance on updating your Will following a divorce to safeguard your assets for your family, ensuring you stay in control.
A high net worth is not legally defined but typically includes a significant amount of land and property, such as a second home, holiday house, rental properties and more. A divorce can also be considered a high net worth divorce if the person’s assets are valued over £3 million, or a person’s salary is equal to or above £300,000 per annum.
When to consult high net worth divorce solicitors
It is always highly important that couples with high incomes or highly valued assets seek legal advice from high net worth divorce solicitors to provide legal guidance on a fair financial settlement.
What Am I Entitled To In a Divorce?
Entitlements depend on factors like income, assets, contributions, and needs. The goal is a fair division of assets, which may include property, pensions, spousal maintenance, and business interests.
How To Protect Assets From A Divorce?
Pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and strategic financial planning can help. Early legal advice is essential to safeguard business and inherited assets.
What Is a Financial Order In A Divorce?
A Financial Order is a legally binding agreement approved by the court, setting out how assets, income, and pensions are divided after divorce.
