A separation that involves substantial wealth tends to involve a unique set of pressures, both practical and personal, and the way those pressures are managed in the early weeks and months can shape the parties’ lives for years to come.
People in this position often turn to high net worth divorce solicitors like us because they need more than general family law advice; they need a team that understands business valuations, international holdings, sophisticated tax considerations, and the careful management of confidential information. Our family law department at Johnson Astills regularly advises clients whose financial affairs are detailed and varied, providing the kind of measured, knowledgeable support that allows sensible decisions to be made even when emotions are running high.
Please call us free now on 0800 059 0600 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and a member of the team will get back to you soon.
“I cannot fault my experience with Johnson Astills Solicitors. Throughout this difficult time I was made to feel secure, supported and validated – money can’t actually buy these things.”
Complex Divorce Assets
The kinds of assets that need to be considered in high net worth divorce cases can be wide and varied. Identifying them properly is one of a high net worth divorce solicitor’s key tasks.
The kinds of assets that we frequently encounter in cases of this nature include the following:
• Privately Held Companies And Family Businesses
A family company will normally need to be valued by a forensic accountant who can look at its trading history, profit margins, future order books, and the dependence of the business on the involvement of one or both spouses. The valuation alone does not determine the settlement, because the question of whether shares can sensibly be transferred between the parties, and whether the business could survive being heavily indebted in order to fund a payment to the other side, is just as important as the headline figure.
• Investment Portfolios
Where one or both parties owns equities, bonds, managed funds, individual savings accounts, or any other type of investment, the value of these assets must be carefully established, together with the income they produce.
The tax position on any disposals that may need to be made is frequently a significant factor in the overall outcome, since capital gains tax can substantially reduce the net value of holdings that are sold in order to provide cash for a settlement, and the timing of any sale may need to be planned with that consequence in mind.
Equally important is the risk profile of what each party would be left with after a division has taken place. Two portfolios of equal value on the date of the settlement can look very different a few years later if one is heavily concentrated in volatile holdings while the other is spread more conservatively across different asset classes.
“Thank you for your kindness. Sometimes it is not easy when you are trying to express how you gave us happiness. A very big thank you!”
• Pensions
A senior professional or company director may have accumulated benefits that, when properly valued by an actuary, turn out to represent one of the largest single assets in the divorce settlement. How those benefits are shared, be that through a transfer to the other spouse, by way of an offset against other assets, or by means of a more bespoke arrangement, can have far-reaching consequences in retirement.
• International And Overseas Holdings
Assets held in different countries may be governed by different rules, taxation, and disclosure, and careful coordination with lawyers in those jurisdictions is often required to ensure that the eventual settlement is legally compliant and workable.
• Trust Interests
Trusts established by parents or grandparents, particularly where the client is a discretionary beneficiary, demand sensitive handling because the boundary between a personal entitlement and a wider family arrangement is not always obvious from the outside, and the position needs to be examined carefully on its own facts.
• Art Collections, Fine Wine Cellars, And Other Valuable Chattels
Items of this kind require specialist valuation, since their worth can vary considerably depending on provenance, condition, and the state of the market at the time any sale or transfer is contemplated.
How We Can Help
Our high net worth divorce solicitors have extensive experience in divorce cases involving substantial or complex assets. We understand that, beyond the immediate question of dividing assets for the purposes of the divorce settlement, regard must be had to the long term consequences for our client. Tax implications need to be considered carefully, particularly where property is to be transferred, businesses restructured, or pensions divided. Wills and other estate planning arrangements will usually need to be revisited so that they properly reflect the new circumstances of each party. Where necessary, we will work alongside our network of trusted professionals, including accountants, financial planners, and other specialists to ensure a fair outcome for our client.
If you need advice from experienced high net work divorce solicitors, the family law team at Johnson Astills is perfectly placed to help. We will listen carefully to what matters most to you, explain the options that are realistically available, and work with you towards a resolution that protects both your financial stability and your peace of mind.
Please call us free now on 0800 059 0600 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and a member of the team will get back to you soon.
‘Having had experience of your organisation, my confidence in you grew. I would have no hesitation in asking you for any necessary representation in the future. Relatives and friends have already been told of my satisfaction. Thank you and well done’
