High Net Worth Divorce – An essential guide to what’s involved & where to begin.
All divorces involve significant financial and emotional impact but in the case of high net worth (“HNW”) divorces, matters tend to be even more complex.
With high levels of financial, property and physical wealth at play, potential disputes relating to children and finance, and often involving international elements – it’s crucial that you seek a family law firm that specialises in HNW divorce to work in partnership with you.
Ribet Myles is listed in The Times Best Law Firms, Tatler Advisory (the definitive guide for high net worth individuals), and is recognised by the independent guide to the world’s leading professional advisers, Chambers and Partners’ High Net Worth Guide. The guide offers market-leading rankings, reviews and insights to the world’s leading professional advisers, covering private wealth management work and specialists across key jurisdictions.
In 2021 we were ranked in the Family / Matrimonial section for HNW individuals and families and in 2022, our partners were highlighted specifically for their ultra-high net worth practice.
Our experts will guide you through every step of the divorce process. As professional and highly skilled as we are discreet, Ribet Myles is committed to ensuring that your interests are protected at all times.
From the initial court application through to the conclusion of all aspects of your divorce, we deliver an unrivalled service to ensure proceedings run as smoothly as possible.
Administration
In most cases, divorce and dissolution in England and Wales is an administrative process, now dealt with online. We provide support with the divorce or dissolution process by drafting all the necessary documents and making sure that everything is handled sensitively and efficiently. At the outset, we will discuss your case in an initial exploratory, no obligation telephone or Zoom call.
Financial disputes
For HNW divorces in particular, ensuring and protecting financial security is a key priority following a relationship breakdown – it’s an essential part of facing the future with confidence.
Financial aspects of divorce are dealt with separately to the divorce process and you’ll need clear advice on what is fair, reasonable, and realistically achievable. Our specialists are by your side to help you make informed and carefully considered choices, and together we will design solutions to meet your exacting needs and circumstances.
If you have significant assets due to historical or familial wealth, business interests, investments or pensions, or you own art, jewellery, or other valuable collectibles; we will protect your interests or where necessary, ensure that you receive sufficient sums with which to meet your future needs.
Where possible, we’ll adopt the use of alternative dispute resolution processes to ensure you have the best chance of reaching a fair and agreeable outcome. Most of our cases are resolved by negotiation, out of court and without the need for a Court to impose an outcome on the parties – particularly favourable when children are involved, and to ensure that your case remains confidential and out of the public eye.
Some cases cannot be settled amicably and you can rest assured that if that is the case, we will litigate on your behalf, to give you the best chance of achieving the outcomes we have agreed to protect your interests and your future.
If, for example, you’re worried that your spouse will not disclose all assets or will try to undervalue or dissipate them, we specialise in complex litigation including the discovery of hidden assets. We can apply to the Court to reverse transactions and obtain freezing and disclosure orders, ensuring your spouse makes a truthful and honest presentation of their financial circumstances.
Children disputes
An unfortunate reality of divorce is that children are often caught in the middle of their parents’ disputes and HNW families are no exception.
We advise on all issues involving your children, including applications for Parental Responsibility Orders, Specific Issue Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Child Arrangements Orders. We also bring and defend applications for permission to take your children to live permanently in another country or relocate within England and Wales.
Our approach is always child focused – we aim to resolve these issues through negotiation. If impossible, we recommend alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration. Or it may be necessary to take Court proceedings, including making emergency applications to protect your children.
International disputes and divorce
HNW divorces regularly involve cross-border elements and international divorce proceedings can become very complex, so it’s incredibly important to secure the most appropriate and advantageous jurisdiction for you as soon as possible.
We have a significant amount of experience in securing the best jurisdiction for our clients and our worldwide network of specialist family lawyers enables us to ensure that you’re properly advised on every option.
Where international disputes are concerned, our outstanding track record includes international asset-tracing and cases involving offshore and foreign elements, international and jurisdictional disputes, the enforceability of foreign orders and the enforcement of English court orders abroad.
At Ribet Myles, our internationally recognised divorce lawyers understand the multifaceted issues that can arise during high net worth divorces, several of which we have outlined above.
Please do get in touch if you’d like to talk to us about how we can support you.