It is rare to find that the behaviour of one or other party to the divorce process is so “gross and obvious” that it would affect the outcome of the division of the finances between divorcing couples to the extent that the offending party would be required to give more financial provision to the other party than would otherwise be required under the usual guidance for the division of assets.
Obviously we will check with you that there is no particular behaviour which exists which could affect the outcome of the finances, but we will otherwise help you through the divorce process efficiently, and as painlessly as possible, in order to focus on the more important aspects of your situation.
We are able to provide expert advice in all cases; whether you have had a short marriage with limited financial assets or a lengthy marriage with significant financial resources. We also consider other factors including but not limited to children, you and your spouse’s respective health, current incomes and future earning abilities, the existence of pre-nuptial or post nuptial agreements, pre-marital assets, housing needs, overall fairness and how a court approaches the division of matrimonial assets.
Get In Touch With The Financial Settlement Specialists Today
We offer a free, no obligation discussion with one of our specialist family lawyers so that we can talk through all of the options available to you.
Simply call us on 020 3875 3838 or complete a Free Online Enquiry today to find out more.
Internal Relocation and Change of Schooling – Case Study
We acted for, represented and advised an ex-girlfriend of a high-profile international/premier league footballer with respect to a financial claim within Schedule 1.
Complex Financial Case Settled By AY Solicitors
Our client dis-instructed her city solicitors and she came to us for help based on a recommendation.
This was a complex financial case, with the gross value of the assets in the divorce exceeding £40 million, which was predominately held in a number of privately owned property companies in the UK and abroad.
We were successful in settling prior to the trial, thereby saving our client significant legal costs, as well as achieving her a favourable result.
How We Can Help You
Our expert lawyers can advise on all matters relating to the financial cases, including the following:-
- Mediation – We can prepare you for mediation, which is mostly attended by the parties without lawyers. We can also advise you on the fairness of any agreement you have reached in mediation.
- Negotiations – We can undertake negotiation on your behalf with your spouse or their solicitors through correspondence, telephone calls and face to face meetings.
- Court Proceedings – Unfortunately all cases cannot be resolved outside court. This can be due to your spouse’s failure to provide full disclosure of their financial affairs or failure to put forward a fair and reasonable offer of settlement. We will prepare all the relevant documents required and provide representation at Court.
- Form E – This is a financial disclosure document, which you are required to complete by the Court and exchange with your spouse for their copy. The Form E should provide a complete picture of your financial position. We are able to complete this document on your behalf.
- Valuing Assets – We have experience in obtaining valuations in complex assets in both the UK and abroad. This includes businesses, which may have numerous assets spread over multiple jurisdictions, as well as complex accounting systems.
- Locating/Tracing Hidden or Dissipated Assets – We are able to comprehensively consider detailed financial disclosure in order to investigate and uncover hidden or dissipated assets. This can include foreign assets and trusts including offshore trusts.
- Freezing Order – If you become suspicious and obtain evidence that your spouse is disposing of monies or property, we are able to apply urgently to the Court to freeze their assets, including bank accounts and property.
- Set Aside a Transfer – You can also apply to the Court to transfer assets back to your spouse, if you have reasons to believe that the property has been transferred to affect your entitlement. For instance your spouse transfers for no value an investment property to his friend around the time you separated.
- Add Back – If you spouse has disposed of assets which we cannot locate, we can ask for the Court to compensate you by providing a larger share of the remaining assets to reflect the amount you have lost as a result of your spouse’s behaviour.
- Breach of confidentiality – Your spouse’s wrongful use of your confidential financial documents and other information.
We offer a free, no obligation discussion with one of our specialist family lawyers so that we can talk through all of the options available to you.
Simply call us on 020 3875 3838 or complete a Free Online Enquiry today to find out more.
Dissipation/Non-disclosure Case Study
Our client sufferered severe abuse during the course of her very long marriage.
Her husband had dissipated and hidden assets worth millions.
We successfully located the assets and evidence of the dissipated assets, ensuring that our client received her fair share. Shafqat Shabir from AY Solicitors conducted the case from start to finish, this included representing our client at court.
Settlement Negotiated And Upheld – Case Study
In this financial settlement, we managed to reach an agreement with our client’s wife’s legal team. However, before this agreement could be sealed, his wife attempted to renege on the agreement.
We proceeded to the court to determine with this was an Xydhias agreement (settlement reached) and were successful. Shafqat Shabir from AY Solicitors represented our client at court.
Foreign Assets/Cross-Jurisdictional Proceedings – Case Study
Our client became increasingly frustrated with his previous solicitors due to their failure to grapple with the complexities of the case and, therefore, lack of progress and requested us for help.
Our client and his wife had accumulated assets worth millions of pounds in the UK and Brazil.
The parties had parallel matrimonial litigation in the UK and Brazil, and we effectively negotiated a favourable global settlement on behalf of our client.
Clean Break – Case Study
Our client was an extremely high earner and his wife was seeking a spousal maintenance order or an unequivocal capital split. The assets were valued for millions.
At trial, Shafqat Shabir from AY Solicitors successfully argued for a clean break and equal capital split.
Financial Proceedings – Delayed Financial Relief Claim/ Failure to disclose – Case Study
Our client’s wife started financial proceedings decades after the divorce (Decree Absolute). At the time of separation/divorce, both parties were penniless and living in council housing. After the divorce, our client created a multi-million-pound business and real estate.
Complex proceedings lasted nearly 4 years; this included the preliminary issues, i.e., his wife’s claims that she helped create the business, which the court rejected after considering the meticulous and comprehensive case we built.
After the court had made a final order, we re-instated the proceedings, as we had located hidden assets of his wife. She was severely penalised for this., including a six-figure legal cost penalty.
Foreign/Hidden Assets – Case Study
Our client is a British businessman based in Cyprus. He had an acrimonious breakdown with his wife, and their assets were spread over the UK, Cyprus, Russia, Turkey and Dubai.
Significant non-disclosure issues existed, including a hidden bank account containing half a million pounds and possible hidden properties abroad.
We successfully pressured a settlement during the proceedings in the terms we had proposed at the outset.
Call us now on 020 3875 3838 or complete a Free Online Enquiry today to find out more.