Navigating a high-net-worth divorce can feel overwhelming, particularly where family businesses, property portfolios and children are involved. Our specialist family law solicitors helped James* and Emma* achieve an amicable divorce settlement through the innovative Resolution Together one-couple one-lawyer approach. By using Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR), full financial disclosure and expert-led negotiations, they were able to avoid contentious court proceedings, protect their co-parenting relationship and reach a fair financial agreement tailored to their family’s future.
For context
A joint approach to divorce
Tees were instructed on a one-couple one-lawyer basis (Resolution Together) in a high value case by married couple, James and Emma
James was a property developer with financial interests in multiple companies and Emma had recently opened her own business. Together, their combined household net annual income exceeded £150,000.
Emma and James co-owned their family home, which they shared with their three young children. While James and Emma were on very good terms and valued each other sincerely as coparents, they no longer wished to stay married. They were both anxious to avoid the potential stress and acrimony of a contested process.
What happened next?
Using NCDR to reach a fair outcome
After careful individual assessment meetings, Tees’ Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) specialists recommended that James and Emma consider utilising a joint advice process to conduct full financial disclosure and to enable negotiations.
Through a series of managed conversations in joint meetings, Tees jointly advised the parties so they could conclude a fair agreement. Expert evidence was obtained from a jointly instructed accountant, so Emma and James, with advice from Tees, could determine to what extent the businesses would be shared between them.
It was agreed that James would retain their £1.2m family home, but he would also raise a significant lump sum to ‘buy out’ Emma’s interest, so they each could afford a suitable home for their children. It was also agreed that there would be a term of ongoing financial support (spousal maintenance) during this period of adjustment for the family, before ultimately there would be a clean break.
Why Tees made a difference
One of the most important aspects of James and Emma’s divorce was their shared intention to be amicable and remain on the best of terms – so they could continue to coparent cooperatively and effectively.
By offering Resolution Together, Tees were able to support this shared intention while ensuring a fair overall outcome, backed by full financial disclosure.
The court approved Emma and James’ draft consent order without hesitation.
Giving you the full picture
If you’re unsure of what to do next after a separation and would like to discuss whether NCDR may be suitable for your family, our experts are here to guide you through the process.
*Names have been changed in order to protect the privacy of our clients.
