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High net worth divorce: protecting your assets and your future
Families who have a high net worth face complex issues during divorce. Specialist legal advice for complex financial and family arrangements
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The legal and financial matters might be complex, but we aim to keep things straightforward and explain everything in terms that are relevant to you.
Overview
If you are going through a high net worth divorce, you will need specialist legal advice to protect your assets and achieve the right outcome.
What issues arise in a high net worth divorce?
Divorce is stressful. High net worth divorces often involve complex financial structures and require specialist expertise. These can be around business ownership, multiple land and property interests, trusts or international assets. Our family law team are experienced in:
- Valuing complex assets, including businesses and shareholdings
- Investigating hidden or undisclosed assets
- Managing tax implications
- Advising on multiple pensions
- Handling international assets and jurisdictions
Protecting your wealth and your family
We will give clear, confidential advice focused on protecting your wealth and your family’s future. Our approach is measured and proportionate, helping to reduce conflict while achieving the best possible outcome. We will also represent you robustly in court if necessary. Our services include:
Where business and family assets are connected
Privacy and confidentiality
Tees have an excellent reputation locally for providing commercially minded and sensible advice.
Taking steps to a positive outcome
We can help you resolve the division of assets and other issues during divorce, including:
- Defining matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets – including inherited and pre-acquired wealth.
- Financial support after separation – child maintenance and spouse provisions, including education fees.
- Complex family businesses including trusts.
- Farming family trusts and partnership agreements.
- Complex income structures, pensions and future income.
- Domestic and international trusts and offshore assets.
- Corporate relocation and expatriate arrangements.
- Understanding complex business structures.
- Valuing private companies.
- International family law, multiple jurisdictions, residences and trusts.
When assets or residency is in more than one country
If your assets or residency span more than one country, we work closely with a network of trusted international lawyers to protect your interests and ensure full financial disclosure.
We can advise on the most favourable jurisdiction to file for divorce.
Contact us today
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Tees Law does not provide Legal Aid. You can find more information here about Legal Aid and eligibility requirements.
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Legal and financial advice
Tees is a top-tier Legal 500 firm offering joined-up legal and financial services for all your family law requirements, from divorce mediation to court appearances, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
We have a team of in-house independent financial advisers who work closely with our lawyers to deliver all the advice you need. Our IFAs are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means we are accountable for all the advice we give.
We’re here to help
If you want a lawyer to take a closer look at your situation, our family and divorce lawyers are based in:
- Cambridgeshire: Cambridge
- Essex: Chelmsford, and Saffron Walden
- Hertfordshire: Bishop’s Stortford and North Herts
But we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.
Our experience in high net worth divorces
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Key people
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Frequently asked questions
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High net worth divorce FAQs
What is considered a high net worth divorce?
A high net worth divorce usually involves combined assets of £1 million or more. However, it is the complexity of the financial arrangements – such as business interests, multiple properties, pensions, trusts or overseas assets – that often defines these cases.
At Tees, we advise business owners, professionals and high-income individuals on protecting wealth while achieving a fair outcome.
How are business assets treated in a high net worth divorce?
Business interests are often one of the most significant assets in high net worth divorce proceedings. Even where only one spouse runs the business, it may still be considered part of the matrimonial assets.
The court may:
Obtain an independent business valuation
Offset the value against other assets
Transfer shares
In rare cases, consider sale
Our focus is on structuring settlements that preserve business continuity wherever possible.
Will I have to sell my home or business?
Not necessarily. The court’s objective is fairness, not disruption. With careful financial planning and negotiation, it is often possible to protect income-generating assets and avoid forced sales.
Early legal advice is key to safeguarding your position.
How are complex assets valued in high net worth divorce cases?
High net worth divorces frequently require expert evidence, including:
Forensic accountants
Business valuation specialists
Pension actuaries
Property valuers
Full and frank financial disclosure is essential. We work closely with trusted experts to ensure accurate and robust valuations.
What happens to pensions in a high value divorce?
Pensions can be among the most valuable assets in high net worth divorce cases. They may be divided through:
Pension sharing orders
Offsetting against other assets
Pension attachment orders
Specialist actuarial input is often needed to understand the true value of substantial pension funds.
How does the court deal with trusts and inherited wealth?
Trust assets and inherited wealth are treated carefully. Whether they are included in a financial settlement depends on factors such as:
The structure of the trust
The level of control
The parties’ financial needs
We provide strategic advice where family wealth, succession planning or offshore structures are involved.
How is spousal maintenance calculated in high income divorce?
There is no fixed formula for high earners. The court considers:
The standard of living during the marriage
Income needs and earning capacity
The length of the marriage
Contributions made by each spouse
Maintenance may be time-limited or, in some circumstances, longer term.
Can prenuptial or postnuptial agreements protect my assets?
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are increasingly influential in high net worth divorce cases. While not automatically binding in England and Wales, the court will usually uphold them if they are:
Freely entered into
Fair
Supported by independent legal advice
Based on full financial disclosure
We regularly advise on both enforcing and challenging nuptial agreements.
