In the conclusion to a two-part analysis, Fiona Turner and Noel Ferry analyse key differences as to financial provision in Scotland when compared with England and Wales In Scotland, if the value of an asset has crashed post-separation, this is irrelevant when establishing the extent of matrimonial property which should be shared, as will be …
Continue reading "Scotland: Tips and traps"
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Julian Hawkhead and Cheryl Grace ask whether pre-nuptial agreements have finally come of age ‘For those over the age of 65 who have built up their pensions over a long working life and entirely prior to marriage, it will be of great importance to them to ensure that there is clarity as to how their …
Continue reading "Pre-nuptial agreements: Silver solutions"
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Catherine Doherty asks whether case law has effectively restricted stellar performance arguments to financial contributions only ‘In XW v XH Baker J acknowledged the need to exercise caution with respect to the domestic contribution of the wife, as homemaker, to the welfare of the family.’ Since Cowan v Cowan [2001] was decided by the Court …
Continue reading "Special contribution: A rare bird"
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Chrissie Cuming Walters highlights the dichotomy of modern family law on financial provision: autonomy versus paternalism ‘The fairness of provision in any nuptial agreement entered into is likely to erode over time and potentially be subsumed by changing circumstances through the passage of time, allowing for an increased use of paternalism.’ Many practitioners would agree …
Continue reading "In practice: Conflicting views"
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Joe Ailion highlights a case in which, inter alia, a lack of legal advice in relation to a pre-marital agreement did not protect a dissenting party ‘It would be impractical, and prohibitively expensive, for parties to obtain advice in any of the multiple possible matrimonial regimes in which a “globe-trotting” couple may divorce.’ In a …
Continue reading "Marital agreements: Proceed with caution"
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James Ferguson and Katie Male look at the courts’ approach to the weight to be given to a pre-nuptial agreement freely entered into by the parties, and the need for overarching fairness ‘Roberts J had to address the question of what “needs” means in circumstances where a pre-nuptial agreement has been entered into, the purpose …
Continue reading "Pre-nuptial agreements: A balancing act"
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Mark Pawlowski considers a recent decision on the enforceability of pre-nuptial agreements ‘It was essential that both parties should have entered into the agreement of their own free will without undue influence, fraud or misrepresentation, and with a full appreciation of its implications.’ The recent Court of Appeal decision in Versteegh v Versteegh [2018] has …
Continue reading "Pre-nups and private client: Take note"
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James Ferguson, Katie Male and Mark Lindley discuss a recent case that demonstrates the growing role of pre-nuptial contracts in estate planning ‘As a general rule the provision for the spouse in the will should be at least as generous as in the pre-nuptial agreement (PNA), if not more so, to minimise exposure to a …
Continue reading "Estate planning: The importance of autonomy"
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Wills & Trusts Law Reports | Spring 2018 #171When the parties met in July 2000, they had both been previously married. In the husband’s case, a difficult divorce caused him to set his face against remarriage. He had three sons who spent significant periods of time with their father in a substantial property near Reading (Property G) which had a value of £3.35m. He (together with his brother) had a successful business in international travel and tourism, owning 51% of the shares in the company valued at £30m. The wife, who had no children, had two rented properties with a combined equity of £245,615. By the time she moved into Prope...
Teresa Cullen and Anna Wakeling explore proposals to reform financial provision on divorce, and the potential impact of such measures ‘Critics argue that the Bill appears in part to be a reaction to “big money“ cases, and an attempt to restrict disproportionate financial awards, however, these are a very small minority of cases and in …
Continue reading "Law reform: Ending the ‘meal ticket for life‘?"
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