High Net Worth Divorce Solicitors

Our team of specialist family lawyers, comprising a range of specialities including high net worth divorce solicitors based in our London office, have the experience and expertise to advise on a high net worth divorce.

What Is a High Net Worth (HNW) Divorce

A high net worth divorce involves the dissolution of a marriage where one or both spouses have significant financial assets. These assets make the process of divorce somewhat more complicated due to the sheer volume of assets at stake on one or both counter parts.

A high net worth divorce lawyer / solicitor can help in making the divorce as seamless as possible with assets being shared with logical reasoning and understanding of the legal processes involved.

What We Do for a High Net Worth (HNW) Divorce

Many HNW divorces have international elements, including “divorce forum shopping” whereby spouses may compete as to which is the most attractive jurisdiction in which to get divorced in terms of the likely financial settlement.

Sometimes, we have to act quickly to locate and preserve hidden assets, on occasions using freezing injunctions. As Resolution accredited and trained high net worth divorce solicitors, we will seek to negotiate financial settlements and arrangements for children – through negotiation processes such as collaborative law and mediation.

Freezing Orders involve injunctions that preserve assets and prevents a person from disposing or dealing with assets. Our high net worth divorce lawyers will also be able to advise on the amount of spousal maintenance that will need to be paid and for how long for.

All divorces are different, but our highly skilled team is able to come to the best possible resolution with their extensive education and experience surrounding HNW divorces.

Considerations of a High Net Worth Divorce

#1 International Divorce Considerations

High net worth individuals often come from other countries or live across a number of countries meaning that a divorce might be possible in more than one country.

An early consideration is which jurisdiction will be most advantageous for the divorce. England and Wales has been perceived as being a jurisdiction which awards generous financial provision compared to other countries due to the broad discretionary powers available in financial remedy cases on divorce.

The rules following Brexit, the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, have changed meaning that early specialist legal advice evaluating the options available is always recommended.

#2 Financial Relief After an Overseas Divorce

If the financial provision made in another country is insufficient, the Family Court of England and Wales has powers available under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 to either obtain or oppose financial provision, often involving high net worth individuals.

Our high net worth divorce lawyers have the expertise and experience to advise in this situation

#3 Offshore Assets

In high net worth divorces, it is essential that our lawyers advise you of the options available to enforce English court orders in other countries. These issues can be complex so early evaluation and specialist family law advice is always recommended.

#4 Trusts

High net worth individuals often keep their interests or assets in trusts, which makes high net worth divorces more complex, Arguments can arise as to whether such trust assets are treated as a matrimonial assets to be taken into account when advising on outcome.

Other issues include whether such trusts have a “nuptial element” which can then be varied by a Court. Additionally, issues can arise as to whether a high net worth individual can access or be able to protect such trust assets. Our high net worth divorce lawyers in London can advise you as to outcome and strategy.

#5 Business Interests in HNW divorces

High net worth divorces often involve private companies. Shares may need to be valued, and complexity arises if the business is international in nature, or is held in corporate or trust structures.

The liquidity of the business is often a key issue, together with the ability of a business owner, often a high net worth individual, to offset a share of the business to the other spouse. Our high net worth divorce lawyers in London have expertise and experience advising in these situations.

#6 Non-disclosure in high net worth divorces

In financial remedy cases on divorce, concerns often arise that a spouse or both spouses have failed to make full and financial disclosure of their financial circumstances.

Specific applications may need to be made against third parties including for emergency orders and injunctions. Failure to provide full and frank disclosure has led in high net worth cases, to individuals being imprisoned for contempt of court, or that adverse inferences are made.

This can result in the spouse who has been affected by the non-disclosure, obtaining more generous financial provision. Our high net worth lawyers in London are experienced in recognising and advising in these situations.

#7 Tax

In high net worth divorces, the tax implications are likely to be relevant when advising on the outcome, and in particular if assets are held in complex corporate or trust structures or offshore.

Our high net worth divorce lawyers in London work closely with tax accountants and other professionals who can provide expert advice regarding such tax issues.