The legal rights of unmarried couples living together
Living together without getting married is a common choice for many couples. However, it’s essential to understand the legal differences
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Divorce in wealthy families where there are for example businesses, multiple land and property interests and or international assets can be extremely complex. At a time of personal upheaval, it is important to have advisers who understand both the financial detail and the wider family impact.
We regularly advise individuals with business interests, trusts, partnerships, landed estates and farming assets. Our priority is to protect what matters most to you and to reach an outcome that safeguards both your wealth and your future.
Where wealth is held across borders — whether through overseas property, investment vehicles, companies or family trusts — and where families are internationally mobile, the jurisdiction you choose for divorce can have a decisive impact on the outcome.
Working with specialist foreign lawyers, we ensure that clients’ interests are protected when there is an international dimension to their divorce.
Tees have an excellent reputation locally for providing commercially minded and sensible advice.
Our family lawyers in high net worth divorce cases advise clients with matters that include:
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Tees Law does not provide Legal Aid. You can find more information here about Legal Aid and eligibility requirements.
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.
If you want a lawyer to take a closer look at your situation, our family and divorce lawyers are based in:
But we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
