Non-Matrimonial Property: Beyond reach?

In the conclusion to a two-part analysis, Deborah Jeff considers the law on non-matrimonial assets and the key principles applied ‘While non-matrimonial property is subject to the sharing principle, it still typically results in a departure from equal sharing – anything from 0-100%.’ The first part of this article looked at the Privy Council decision …
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Non-Matrimonial Property: Moving forward?

In the first of a two-part analysis, Deborah Jeff questions whether the Privy Council decision in Scatliffe v Scatliffe has further developed the law on non-matrimonial assets ‘It isn’t clear whether the intention of the Privy Council was to introduce the principles of both needs and compensation when considering whether non-matrimonial property should be shared.’ …
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Non-Matrimonial Assets: Further distinction

Fiona Turner considers whether inherited wealth is more likely to result in a departure from equality than earned wealth ‘Assuming the parties’ needs are met, the courts may distinguish between different categories of non-matrimonial property.’ Parties on divorce usually have a strong claim to share in the matrimonial property that has been built up during …
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WA v The Executors of the estate [2015] EWHC 2233 (Fam)

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | October 2015 # 153

Having entered into a pre-nuptial agreement, WA (‘the wife’) married HA (‘the husband’) in 1997. The wife was an heiress and the husband brought modest assets of his own to the marriage. They kept their finances separate. The couple and their three children lived on a very large estate (‘the Z estate’) during the marriage and restored it using the wife’s finances.

The marriage broke down in 2014. Both the wife and husband instructed expert family lawyers which supported the brokerage of an agreement. Following disclosure of their respective gross and net incomes, it was agreed tha...

Financial Advice: Complete picture

Graeme Fraser and Mark Penston highlight the importance of financial advice when structuring and valuing an award in a financial remedies claim on divorce ‘An initial discussion with an IFA who is conversant with the issues on divorce can be helpful in giving direction early on in the process.’Obtaining independent financial advice is increasingly important …
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Non-Matrimonial Assets: A question of inclusion

Jane Booth analyses the factors the courts will take into account when considering non-matrimonial assets ‘When considering the division of assets, where the assets are neither matrimonial assets nor jointly generated by the parties, the duration of the marriage might be a significant factor in the determination of the distribution.’ The decision in G v …
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Financial Provision: Building fences

Tracey Dargan and Nathaniel Groarke summarise the courts’ approach to pre-acquired and inherited assets In N v F, Mostyn J stated that he would have excluded more of the husband’s pre-marital assets were it not for the fact that such assets were required to meet the wife’s needs. A number of recent reported cases have …
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AR v AR [2011] EWHC 2717 (Fam)

Wills & Trusts Law Reports | April 2012 #118

The parties separated after a relationship of approximately 25 years and the wife commenced divorce proceedings (decree nisi being pronounced in October 2010). They had one child who was aged 18 (the husband had three children by his first marriage). The husband was aged 66 and the wife 54.

The total wealth was in the region of £21-£24m (all but approximately £1m was in the husband’s name). The source of the husband’s wealth was a business that his father bought shortly after the second world war, which floated in the 1950s and sold in the late 1980s. From his father, the husband ...

Non-Matrimonial Assets: Sharing windfalls

Frances Bailey considers the latest case on lottery winnings and the courts’ approach to non-matrimonial assets ‘Much, it is clear, hinges on whether lottery winnings can be deemed matrimonial or non-matrimonial property.’ In ‘Money Can’t Buy You Love’, FLJ100, October 2010, I lamented the very limited guidance on the treatment of lottery winnings by the …
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