High net worth divorce cases rarely involve a single straightforward financial issue. They typically involve several interconnected ones, each of which requires specialist knowledge and careful handling.
Complex asset division
Dividing a complex financial estate requires a thorough understanding of what each asset is worth, how it should be treated within the settlement framework, and what the long-term implications of different division approaches are. We work through every asset class methodically, making sure nothing is undervalued, mischaracterised, or overlooked, and that the settlement we negotiate reflects the true picture rather than a simplified version of it.
Business valuations and interests
A business interest in a divorce raises two distinct questions: what is it worth, and how should it be treated in the settlement. The valuation question requires a specialist forensic accountant, and we work with experienced valuers who understand how to assess businesses across a range of sectors and structures. The treatment question is a legal one, and the answer depends on factors including how the business was built, the role of each party in it, and the impact any settlement might have on its ongoing viability. We navigate both questions with the care they require.
Pension and investment portfolios
Large pension funds and complex investment portfolios require specialist analysis that goes well beyond what a standard pension sharing order covers. Different pension structures, including defined benefit schemes, self-invested personal pensions, and executive pension arrangements, need to be valued and divided in ways that are genuinely comparable in long-term value rather than simply equal on paper. We work with pension actuaries and investment specialists to make sure these assets are dealt with properly.
International assets and offshore wealth
Where assets are held in multiple jurisdictions, the legal picture becomes considerably more complex. Questions of which court has jurisdiction over which assets, how foreign property and accounts are valued and treated in an English settlement, and how any order made here can be enforced abroad all require careful consideration and specialist advice. We have experience in coordinating with advisers in other jurisdictions and making sure the English proceedings take full account of the international dimension.
Inherited wealth and family trusts
Whether inherited wealth forms part of the matrimonial pot is one of the most contested areas of high net worth divorce law, and the answer depends on a range of factors including when the inheritance was received, how it has been used during the marriage, and the overall financial context of the case. Family trusts add a further layer of complexity, raising questions about beneficial interests and the extent to which trust assets can be taken into account. We advise on these issues with the precision they require.
Forensic accounting and hidden assets
In high net worth cases, the risk of one party attempting to conceal, undervalue, or dissipate assets is greater than in most. We take non-disclosure seriously and have established relationships with forensic accountants who specialise in identifying hidden assets, reconstructing financial histories, and providing expert evidence to the court. Where we have reason to believe full disclosure is not being provided, we act quickly and decisively to address it.
