The Impact of CEO Divorce on Shareholders

A tax-deductible expense is a deduction that lowers a person's (or organisation's) tax liability. This means that the tax you would usually be charged on that service is removed. To qualify, the expense has to be "ordinary, necessary and reasonable". It is commonly asked whether divorce lawyers’ fees are tax-deductible. The simple answer: probably not.

Bringing a child into the UK for the purposes of adoption is a criminal offence, punishable with up to 12 month’s imprisonment and/or a fine. In order to bring a child into the UK for the purposes of adoption, there are strict regulations that need to be complied with, preferably in advance of bringing the child in. It is vital to seek legal advice prior to bringing a child who you wish to adopt into the UK.

You do not need to be a relative of the deceased to contest a will. If you were dependent of the deceased then you may also have a claim under the Inheritance Act if you believe they did not make reasonable provision for you.

Of course, each case is unique, with different facts and circumstances to consider, but Vardags will guide you through the best strategy to make a claim against the deceased’s estate. If you do wish to contest a will you need to act quickly, and it is important to note that you do not need to wait for the grant of probate to start a claim. As such, the time limit for contesting a will is six months after the grant of probate or Letters of Administration.

One positive aspect for some parties going through a divorce is the fact it results in the ability to take those first exciting steps towards moving on and starting afresh. Inevitably, this includes the opportunity to date and, potentially, find a new partner. Legally, you can date during the divorce proceedings, however, exist a number of legal and practical considerations to bear in mind.

The short answer is yes. There are various reasons why one might wish to remain living in the same house as their spouse whilst undergoing divorce proceedings. It may be that matters remain amicable between the pairing, a sense of "normality" is being attempted for the sake of children, or more likely due to financial necessity, especially if the home needs to be sold before the parties can move into separate properties. These are all legitimate reasons to remain cohabiting, however, it is important to note that certain statutory rules and common practices exist that prevent a divorce being granted if two spouses are still living together as a couple in the same property.

The legal fees of a top divorce lawyer can seem expensive, but it may be the best investment you ever make. When it comes to divorce, your entire asset base will be part of the dispute, and your fees will likely be only a small percentage of this.

In many divorce cases, the matrimonial home is one of the key assets to be taken into consideration when sorting the financial matters arising from a relationship breakdown. We are often asked by our clients whether they can continue to live in the family home during...

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If both parties agree, divorce proceedings can be stopped until the court issues a final divorce order (previously called a divorce absolute).

Vardags can prepare Lifetime trusts as part of your succession planning or Will trusts to protect your assets for young, disabled or vulnerable loved ones. We can also deal with the alteration of existing trusts and offer bespoke advice on the implications of any such alterations, including all applicable tax and general advice, factoring in all the relevant circumstances.

This article will address the extent to which a parent can move their child away from the other parent without their consent. A distinction will be made between moving the child to another part of the UK, as well as moving abroad.
It should be noted from the outset that whether the parties have ever been married or in a civil partnership is immaterial for the purposes of relocation of the child. The important factor is whether the parent seeking to prevent the relocation has parental responsibility.

It is common for couples to share in the responsibility of handling their finances, which is why many opt to open to a joint bank account to facilitate this. This account can be set up so that transactions require either one, or both, party’s signatures. In general, joint accounts present few problems for couples and are, as such, a favoured means of dealing with finances.

Custody and access - more properly called “Child Arrangements” - can be emotionally fraught litigation, especially where one party is threatening the other with the prospect of denying them time with the child. The court will always look at child centric outcomes, with the welfare of the child always being paramount. The starting point will always be that the child should spend time with both parents, except in very unusual circumstances.

Yes. Vardags helps you find the best lawyer for divorce in international cases.

Divorce is often a life-changing event, as individuals - who once shared earnings, assets, and even children - navigate new lives independent of one another. In this respect, one may wonder whether it is indeed possible to maintain the same lifestyle after divorce, especially in high-net-worth cases, where the parties may have enjoyed a very high standard of living throughout the marriage and that will require significant assets to sustain. The parties’ standard of living will be considered by the courts, but this does not mean that the same standard of living is guaranteed.

For most people, debt is something that they will incur to enable them to buy larger purchases such as cars and homes, as well as sometimes for everyday spending. In the same way that assets need to be assessed and divided when a couple divorce, any debt will need to be examined to determine who is responsible for its repayment. 

Women are born with a finite number of eggs that decrease in quantity and quality with age, which can make it difficult to conceive in later years. Egg freezing can help a woman try to preserve her fertility, however, it does not guarantee a baby, and it can create complex legal issues. If you are considering this route, expert legal advice an important safeguard in the fertility treatment process.

Yes. Vardags solicitors are familiar with managing cases involving overseas properties and international business interests. We know how to navigate international requirements and cross-border living arrangements.

Our top UHNW divorce lawyers provide private consultations while maintaining client confidentiality. We know that confidentiality is the most important thing; that's why all communications are handled with tact. Alternative contact methods are available for added discretion, too.

Yes. Vardags works with clients across all areas of London and internationally.

The thrill of a lottery win can be quickly tarnished when divorce is involved and there is the prospect of having to share it with a previous partner. If there is a large win, the resulting financial settlement will likely comprise an ultra high net worth one. Does a lottery win automatically get shared as part of a financial settlement? Can you wait until the divorce is finalised before cashing in to avoid having to share with someone you no longer want to be with? The answer is it depends on the circumstances of the win. 

If you are a beneficiary, you may encounter difficulties related to: obtaining information from trustees, requesting distributions from trustees, speeding up the administration of trusts. and actions for fraud or breach of fiduciary duties. Vardags can offer extensive guidance for beneficiaries in respect to the above issues and more.

Many people contacting us for the first time are worried about their spouse finding out. We understand these concerns and have measures in place to alleviate them and provide peace of mind.

The best way to ensure your assets are protected is to conduct a thorough and accurate valuation.

If you fear violence or suffer from it, the court will protect you. For victims of domestic abuse (be it physical, verbal or emotional harm) the court can make non-molestation orders or occupation orders, each giving you comprehensive legal protection.

Specialist fertility, parenting, and family law advice can help you in a number of ways, including managing and mitigating the legal risks and issues involved, helping you to understand what would happen legally and practically if family life doesn’t go to plan, and legally restructuring arrangements for your family following relationship breakdown or a change in circumstances.

In high value cases, it is common for parties to have an inflated view of marital assets. In order to tackle these false perceptions, an accurate and thorough valuation of all your assets is key.

With a unique team of in-house forensic accountants and well-established links with expert valuers, Vardags are adept at demonstrating the true value of shared assets and countering any excessive needs claims.

Generally speaking, cohabitees do not have rights over each others’ property. You may, however, have claim if you have contributed to the joint purchase of a house (even if it is your partner’s sole name) or you have carried out substantial work on it. If you have relied on your partner’s promises that they will look after you or house you, then you might also be able to claim.

Some adoption orders are automatically recognised in England and Wales, such as those made in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, ‘overseas adoptions’ and adoptions under the Hague Convention 1993. Any other adoption made abroad will only be recognisable if it satisfies common law criteria. If a foreign adoption is neither automatically recognised, nor recognisable under the common law, then a domestic adoption order will need to be obtained.

We know what it takes to reach the outcomes that you deserve. We will find the right solicitor on our team for you during your free initial consultation.

Surrogacy raises complex questions about British nationality and immigration law. UK immigration law applies to those who are resident in the UK, regardless of whether they are British citizens, EEA nationals or permanently resident in the UK. There are various ways a surrogate born child can obtain British nationality and a British passport to include: by birth, by descent, registration as a British citizen, upon the grant of a parental order in certain circumstances.

Vardags have a proven track record in delivering the best results in high-value and complex disputes. Speak to us today and we will find the right member of our team for you.

Under UK Surrogacy law, legal parenthood and parental responsibility for a surrogate born child initially fall on to the surrogate and her spouse. As an intended parent, you must therefore apply for a parental order to reassign this legal status from the surrogate and her spouse to yourself and to extinguish all of the legal status of the surrogate and spouse. This is the bespoke legal solution for surrogacy in the UK.

Fertility add-ons are treatments offered by UK fertility clinics claiming to boost the chances of having a successful pregnancy or baby. They are optional extras that are offered on top of normal fertility treatment and usually at an additional cost. Add-ons are highly controversial because, despite being emerging techniques with little or no proven evidence of success, the use of them in clinical practice has increased exponentially. These can range from £50 for a single screening blood test to as much as £8,000 for egg freezing packages.

During the process of divorce, one of the elements is the exchange of information relating to finances, known as disclosure. This is done in order to determine what a fair division of the assets will be. However, there are instances where one or both of the parties conceal or misrepresent deliberately the value of their assets. Should it be the case that certain assets are not included during disclosure, it cannot be divided, even if it’s the case that it is later discovered it is likely already be disposed of. These kinds of assets are known as hidden assets and should either party be discovered to be hiding assets, the court will take serious action against them. 

To be able to adopt a child from abroad you need to be eligible to adopt from both within the UK and from the chosen overseas country. Adoption laws can differ significantly between counties, which means that whilst you may be eligible to adopt from one country, you might not be able to adopt from another. If you live in the UK, not all countries will be available for you to adopt from, either because a country does not allow international adoption, or because the UK restricts adoption from a country.

Divorce is often an emotionally intense period and can be one of the most challenging experiences in a person’s life. The process can become particularly complicated if you and your spouse are not in agreement, which can cause additional delay. Overall, the timeline...

The best divorce lawyers at Vardags can provide an accurate time frame during your free initial consultation.

Timeframes for a divorce differ. Rest assured that your Vardags solicitor will be able to provide a likely timeframe to you during your consultation.

Fees will vary from case to case. Rest assured that your Vardags solicitor will provide a cost breakdown during your initial consultation.

Around 80,000 divorces were granted in England and Wales in 2022, a c. 30% decline from 2021¹. This marked reduction in divorce rates is the consequence of a number of intersecting variables (including the “no-fault divorce” laws which came into action in April 2022. But, undoubtedly, the cost of a divorce within an increasingly difficult economic context is changing the decisions of thousands of couples.

Vardags is equipped to respond swiftly. Clients can count on timely correspondence and fast action when required. Our team is used to managing pressure and providing support when it's needed the most.

There is a common misconception that a “quickie” divorce is possible in this country. Divorcing couples should also be careful about the exaggerated claims made by companies offering fast DIY divorces. However, even uncontested and uncomplicated divorces will take at least four to six months to finalise. The exact length of time depends on various factors and the particular circumstances of the case.

Should any disputes arise either with the tax authorities or between beneficiaries in relation to the payment of tax, legal advice should be taken at the earliest possible opportunity in such matters, as delays in making tax payments can result in penalties being imposed on an estate.

If a person meets the required criteria, they can file for divorce if their marriage has irretrievably broken down. Following the introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022, there is no requirement to show fault or blame.

Whether the child you have adopted from abroad will be recognised as legally yours in the UK depends on various factors. For example, if you adopt a child from a country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention 1993 through a Convention Adoption, then that adoption will be recognised in all 76 Hague Convention countries. An adoption that is classed as an ‘overseas’ adoption, and recognised as a full adoption in the UK may be registered in the Adopted Children Register.

Under English law a will must be in writing and signed by the person creating the will in front of two witnesses, all present at the same time. There must be no doubt as to what your intentions are, so the will must be very carefully drafted to ensure that it will be valid and stand up to any claims.

We can provide a second opinion without your current solicitors finding out. If you like what you hear and would like to switch, we can manage the entire process for you.

We often receive enquiries from people contacting us on behalf of someone else, often personal assistants, children, new partners, and parents.

Whether it is due to a downturn in your business, ill-health or retirement, you might find that the maintenance payments are taking a disproportionate amount of your income. If that is the case, you can ask the court for a downward variation of the child maintenance which you pay.

In many countries, a couple can divorce with little or no financial support being given to the poorer party. Sometimes, you might not even know about the divorce until it has already been finalised. That does not prevent you from seeking the support of the English courts. Under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act, the English court can make a financial award for where there was “no, or no adequate” provision in overseas proceedings.

Sometimes a wealthy parent can be joined to divorce proceedings, for example if they have a history of making large payments to their child, or if they are likely to be the one who meets the order.

If this happens to you, you will want to protect your wealth and minimise the amount you might have to pay to your child’s spouse. The involvement of third parties is very fact specific, but as experienced family lawyers, Vardags will help you minimise the cost of your involvement.

With no fault divorce in force since April 2022, it is now very difficult to dispute a divorce application.

When it comes to parties seeking a divorce, it is not uncommon for one party to be unaware of the true extent of their joint finances, that of their spouse or indeed their own. This is often the result of one spouse in the relationship controlling the finances in their entirety. However, while this may work when the couple are together, when the relationship ends, the party that is unaware of the marital finances may feel vulnerable and anxious, unsure as to whether they will receive a fair share of the couple's assets.

If your ex opposes your plan to move abroad with your children, there are numerous strategies that can be deployed to overcome their opposition.

While the court will be unable to stop you from relocating, it’s primary concern will be whether it is in your children’s best interests to do so, and whether there is an appropriate strategy in place for the children to maintain regular contact with the other parent.

There is no international harmonisation of law, policy and practice. Some countries will not provide fertility treatment or surrogacy to same-sex couples and single women. Some countries do not allow fertility treatment with donor eggs or sperm. Furthermore, law and policy on surrogacy differs widely, with some jurisdictions prohibiting it whilst others enable it on a commercial or altruistic basis.

If you have an international lifestyle, being able to move around freely with your adopted child will be a high priority. Whether you have legal parental status internationally will depend on whether the adoption order you hold is recognisable in the countries you will reside in.

With our international expertise we can offer you specialist legal advice as to the potential issues you may face in different jurisdictions, and how to overcome them. As many of our clients have international lifestyles, we experienced at dealing with the legal complexities arising from the application of UK law internationally.

There are no international agreements governing surrogacy arrangements. This creates international conflicts of law and a legal patchwork effect around the world which can be compounded when intended parents and families formed through surrogacy have an international lifestyle or multi-jurisdictional aspects to their personal and/or professional situations.

English law applies its own law on surrogacy and does not automatically recognize foreign parentage orders or foreign birth certificates naming intended parents as the parents of their surrogate born children. This can make a surrogate born child ‘stateless and parentless’ without recognised legal parents and status in a country.

Unlike many other countries, England allows people to apply for financial remedies even if they are already divorced in another country. Often spouses will use this power, Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act, to try to re-open the case and get more money.

Part III applications are complicated, and they should not be seen as a simple chance to get a second go. It is only available where “no, or no adequate provision” has been made and is likely to be largely limited to what your spouse reasonably needs. That said, the court has a broad discretion in the award it makes.

If you are ordered to make payments by the court, deliberate failure so to do will be considered contempt. Disobeying orders is taken very seriously by the courts and can result in fines and even imprisonment. If you are genuinely unable to make the payments required by the award, you will need legal advice to address this before arrears mount up.

If the order to which you are subject has been made very recently, it may be possible to appeal. If the judge has made a mistake about the law or facts in your case, then it may be possible to apply to the court to reassess what you are required to pay.

If you carry on sharing a house with your spouse during a divorce, they must treat you with respect and not make life more difficult for you. They cannot restrict your financial freedom, nor can they harass you or pressure you psychologically.

Sometimes a spouse will argue that a marriage was not valid, and so there can be no divorce. If your wedding was in England, this will generally be easy to assess as English law lays down strict licencing requirements for wedding venues. In other countries, for example with Islamic marriages, things can be far more complicated. Generally if you can demonstrate that your marriage was registered with the local authorities, the English court will accept it as valid, allowing you to proceed with a divorce.

When you begin divorce proceedings, it is natural to worry about how your spouse might react. From the outset of proceedings, they are under a duty to maintain the status quo – including giving you the same access to money to meet your day-to-day expenses.

Your spouse might try to stop you getting your fair share by giving assets away – transferring them to business associate or family members – or by putting them into trust. In doing this they will try to reduce the amount of money available to meet your claim. Vardags are used to such tricks and can help you protect yourself from them.

If you have evidence that your spouse is going to dissipate their assets, either by spending them or moving them to other people or other countries, it is possible to obtain a freezing order. These orders freeze your spouse’s assets, allowing them access to no more than they need for their ordinary living expenses. This prevents them from making any major transactions and putting their assets beyond your reach.

If your spouse has stopped supporting and you are struggling to meet your daily expenses, Vardags can help.

It is possible to apply to the court for your spouse to provide you with interim maintenance, also known as maintenance pending suit. Here the court will look at your short term income needs and will order your spouse to make payments to meet them. If such an application is required, your spouse might also be ordered to pay your legal costs relating to it.

High value divorces can lead to expensive litigation, but you should not be squeezed out of getting your fair share because you do not have the money to pay your fees. Though family lawyers are not allowed to work on a “no win, no fee” basis, we can often find away to keep your case going.

A child adopted from a country that is signatory to the Hague Convention 1993 through what is known as a ‘Convention Adoption’ will automatically acquire British nationality. However, a child adopted via adoption that is classed as ‘overseas’ will not. In the latter scenario, you will need to have a clear immigration plan in place. Conversely, a foreign child adopted in the UK through the domestic adoption process will acquire British nationality as part of that process.

When your relationship is in its early stages with a new partner, it can raise complex issues about legal status, day-to-day arrangements, and care of your existing or future born child. It is important to consider a number of questions with regard to legal parental autonomy, legal parenthood and parental responsibility, as well as financial and emotional issues. In addition, you should undertake a legal risk analysis as well as other proactive steps to ensure a strong legal basis for the future.

When an entrepreneur gets divorced, their spouse can sometimes try to get their company joined to proceedings. In doing so, they might be trying to extract cash from the business or dispute how it is owned and held. If you find yourself in this situation, you may well want to make representations to the court.

Vardags, with our corporate understanding and family law expertise, are well placed to advise you. Our in-house forensic accountancy team can help you produce realistic arguments about the value, ownership, and liquidity of the business, whilst understanding the aims and procedure of the family courts.

Your divorce is likely to impact upon your finances for the rest of your life. It is vital that you have a legal team who can trust to deal with your case effectively. If you are unhappy with your legal team, it is very easy to change to new solicitors, only requiring you to lodge a Notice of Change with the court.

Whilst there are perfectly innocent reasons why your ex might not yet have returned with your children from Britain, it could also be a real cause for concern. In the first instance, it will be necessary to contact your ex, the hotel or the last place they were known to be and any family or friends who might know of their whereabouts.

If your partner is breaking an existing order, there are numerous ways of enforcing it. The court can divert a portion of their salary directly to you (garnishee order), give you a charge over property or shares or even transfer bank accounts over to you. If your partner willfully and deliberately refuses to satisfy an order, this can amount to contempt – the court can fine and even jail them for this.

If you fear violence or are subject to harassment the court can and will protect you, even after your divorce. For victims of domestic abuse (be it physical, verbal or emotional harm) the court can make non-molestation orders and occupation orders each giving you comprehensive legal protection.

Non-molestation orders (“non-mols”) are designed to protect your from harassment. Normally, they will prevent your ex-partner from harassing you and threatening you with violence. Sometimes they will bar them from contacting you directly and from going near you.

If you fear violence or are subject to violence or abuse, the court can and will protect you. For victims of domestic abuse (be it physical, verbal, or emotional harm) the court can make two types of order – “non-molestation” orders and “occupation” orders each giving you comprehensive legal protection. Non-molestation orders are supported by criminal sanctions. Breaking one is a criminal offence, and your partner can be arrested immediately if they breach the terms, even if they have committed no other crime. These orders are available whether you have been married to your ex-partner or not.

If you have moved abroad with your children without your ex’s consent, you could be at risk of being accused of child abduction, which is both a criminal and civil offence. There are serious criminal proceedings that could involve you being extradited to be brought before the criminal court of England and Wales.

However, the seriousness of these consequences can be mitigated if you take swift action to contact your ex and resolve the situation. Whatever your reasons for taking your child abroad, the faster you act the less likely the situation will result in onerous orders against you.

If your children live with your ex under a child arrangements order, then your ex may take your children out of England and Wales for up to 28 days without your consent. Where there is no child arrangements order in force, or where your ex wishes to take your child on holiday for longer than a month, they will require your written consent or they will have to obtain permission from the court.

If your ex has increased their own earnings or is cohabiting with a new partner, it may be possible to reduce the amount of maintenance you pay to them. Ongoing maintenance will always be informed by your partner’s needs. If those needs change, or they are able to meet them from other sources, then it may be possible to apply for a downward variation of the payments you make.

If you spouse’s income has increased significantly and you receive ongoing maintenance, you can argue that the amount paid to you could also go up.

This will often be informed by what your income needs are, but the court may even order a surplus above what you need. If your ex has increased their capital wealth substantially, it may be possible to capitalise these payments ending your monthly reliance on your spouse.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) issues guidance to UK fertility clinics which requires them to ensure you understand the issues and give informed consent to fertility treatment. In order to comply with their licence requirements, UK fertility clinics can therefore require you to obtain specialist fertility, donor conception, surrogacy and family law advice to understand the complex legal issues, implications, and outcomes before offering treatment.

In line with this, Vardags can provide sensitive, experienced, and tailored legal advice on family building law advice for fertility patients in the UK internationally (including family building options, fertility preservation, IVF law, donor conception law, and surrogacy law), and fertility treatment law in the UK (including informed consent to treatment).

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as common law marriage and a former cohabitee has no automatic rights to a share in your property. Sometimes, however, a successful claim can arise under trust and property law.

Schedule 1 of the Children’s Act allows for a parent to seek financial support for their children from the “non-resident” parent. This includes regular payments of child maintenance but can also extend to providing a house for the child and paying other expenses such as school fees.

When a relationship with a parent falls into difficulties or dispute it can create complex legal issues about current and future arrangements for a child, particularly following assisted conception, donor conception, and surrogacy. This can include problems surrounding a child’s legal identity, legal status of the parents and child, acquisition and exercise of parental responsibility for the child, financial provision for the child, and arrangements for the day-to-day care of the child.

We can provide sensitive and specialist legal advice on resolving a family and fertility law issue or dispute with a parent, and arrangements for the care and upbringing of a child including child arrangements order, specific issue order, prohibited steps order, special guardianship, wardship, and adoption.

Relationships between adoptive parents and birth parents can vary. It is important to appreciate what each party is looking for in that relationship: whether it ends when the adoption is finalised, whether it continues through the child’s life, or perhaps neither party wishes for a relationship at all.

Should the relationship become difficult it may be worth considering setting out in writing the expectations of each party. This will help to establish how matters are to progress and reminds each party of their reasons for entering into the adoption.

In the event that the relationship deteriorates significantly, it is essential to seek the assistance of a third party.

If you feel you should have got more from your divorce, it may be possible to appeal your case. A successful appeal may well lead to a higher award or to increased maintenance.

To appeal against a financial order, you will need to show that the judge was wrong in the way the final decision was reached. As experienced family lawyers, the legal team at Vardags will help you prepare your case for appeal. We will review the initial judgment and advise you whether it is possible to appeal. The dynamic approach our lawyers take meant that we are used to challenging judgments and working to change the law – we will help you put forward innovative arguments in support of your appeal.

The law aims to provide “equality of arms”, ensuring the less financially secure party can access comparable legal representation. Furthermore, the financially stronger spouse can be ordered to make ongoing short term financial provision.

Starting divorce proceedings can be frightening as well as full of uncertainty; however, as leading family lawyers, Vardags can guide you through the first steps. Being excluded from the family home is a common worry that many have.

Under law, a spouse’s rights include remaining living at the family home even if it is owned in their partner’s sole name. This is because of a principle called “home rights”, which also, when properly registered, prevents your spouse from selling the property from under you or from kicking you out.

As experienced family lawyers, Vardags have experience in helping people protect their home rights, helping you remain in the family home.

All parties in a divorce are under a duty to provide “full and frank” disclosure. This means that they have to tell you about all their assets and income. Unfortunately, some wealthy spouses think that they can hide their assets – placing them under the control of companies, or moving them offshore.

Vardags are very experienced in these types of cases. Our in house forensic accountancy team can search for assets across the globe, and are experienced at understanding and unravelling complicated corporate structures.

Divorcing is not easy. It can be even harder if your partner is sharing details with the press. Seeing stories about yourself can be highly upsetting, especially if they are only showing one side of the story – and even worse if that side is not true. Vardags are used to working with clients who are in the public eye and managing the publicity surrounding divorce.

Following the landmark decisions of Sharland v Sharland and Gohil v Gohil, it is now much easier to re-open your case if you think your partner lied during divorce proceedings. Fraudulent non-disclosure, i.e. hiding assets and lying about your wealth, can now lead to a new settlement, no matter how much time has passed. It will be up to your partner to show that their lies were not relevant to the outcome.

Since the Supreme Court decisions of Sharland v Sharland and Gohil v Gohil, the court has greater ability to re-open cases if there has been fraudulent non-disclosure. This has led to an increasing number of spouses trying to have their cases brought back to court.

Often, this can be unmerited, born out of their feeling they got a bad deal, rather than actual evidence of asset hiding. Even so, an appeal can be a costly and time consuming process with you having to go to court to fight the allegations.

Vardags are experienced with cases such as this, and will help you demonstrate that the original outcome was the right one. We will help you demonstrate that your previous disclosure was full and frank and that any omissions were honest mistakes and not attempts to deceive the court.

Under section 37 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, a transfer of property can be set aside if the court is satisfied that it was done to frustrate a matrimonial claim. If you have received property from a parent, it is possible that, on divorce, the other parent or step-parent might try to set it aside.

We often hear from our clients that they wish they had taken advice earlier. They have been reluctant to speak with lawyers while making up their mind about whether to get divorced, to increase access to their children, or to prevent escalating domestic abuse.

If you are currently making child support payments, this obligation will continue even after your ex moves abroad with your children. Child support will continue to be enforceable in the courts of England and Wales and in over 100 countries with reciprocal arrangements.

Surrogacy is a legal but restricted practice in the UK. Surrogacy contracts are not legally enforceable in the UK and arrangements are based on trust and goodwill. Some foreign countries ban surrogacy and others permit it on a commercial basis with legally enforceable surrogacy contracts. The legal issues and process differ depending upon whether you enter into an altruistic UK surrogacy or a commercial surrogacy overseas.

We can discuss options with you and provide sensitive, experienced and bespoke legal advice and assistance on family building law advice for those considering or embarking upon a surrogacy arrangement with assisted conception in the UK or abroad. We can also advise on how to navigate a safe path home after the bird of a surrogate child overseas, how to apply for a parental order for a surrogacy born child, and what to do in the absence of a parental order.

Following the introduction of ‘no-fault’ divorce in April 2022 through the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, the terminology of the two key documents which are issued as part of the divorce process was updated - ‘decree nisi’...

In the event that you and your partner are in the process of adopting a child from overseas, but you are concerned about your relationship and the effect of any possible separation on that adoption, it is important to be aware of your options.

Where an adoption has not yet been finalised, a divorce by the prospective adoptive parents may affect the finalisation of the adoption. If the birth parents’ rights have not yet been terminated, there is a risk that they might object to their child being adopted by a single parent, or by a couple in dispute. If their parental rights have been terminated, it is the court who will consider the impact of a divorce on the adoption, and who will have final approval.

Search orders, also known as search and seizure orders and Anton Piller orders, are a form of interim mandatory injunction.

Costs will vary from case to case. Your Vardags solicitor will be able to provide a clearer cost breakdown during your consultation.

There are a number of ways to donate eggs including: to a donor egg bank, to a female relative, friend, contact or as a straight surrogate (who donates her own egg as well as carries the pregnancy). We know that, as an egg donor, you are entering into an intricate and emotional situation. In a number of cases there are added layers of complexity, for example, where you are a known donor, engaging in an egg-swapping arrangement as a same-sex couple, or where there is an inter-family donation.

The law surrounding sperm donation is complex in the UK and can apply differently depending on a number of different factors, such as whether the woman who is conceiving is single, married, or in a civil partnership at the point of conception, whether conception takes place artificially or via sexual intercourse, whether conception takes place at a UK clinic or by private arrangement, who is named on the child’s birth certificate, and whether as a donor you will have an established relationship with the child.

Conception with donor eggs creates a range of medical, legal, emotional, financial and practical issues which require careful consideration. Specialist legal advice is an important safeguard in the fertility treatment and family building process. We can provide bespoke and comprehensive legal advice on all egg donation law, in the UK and internationally, including where your personal circumstances are complicated (including egg swapping as a same-sex couple, relationship difficulties or breakdown, change of circumstances and international aspects). We can also prepare a ‘family proof’ will following egg donation.

Donor sperm can be used to conceive in various ways, including at a UK fertility clinic, by private arrangement or at a fertility clinic overseas.

The law is complex and can apply differently depending upon your relationship status (whether you are single, married or in a civil partnership at the point of conception), how you conceive (artificial inception or sexual intercourse), where you conceive (at a clinic or at home), and who is named on the child’s birth certificate.

Sometimes litigation can get bogged down in a costly mire. The case can drag, whilst endless correspondence pushes up solicitors’ costs. If you feel like your divorce has been plagued by unnecessary delays or that your current solicitors are ineffective in speeding up the process, you may be able to escape this situation by changing solicitors.

If you move abroad and your ex has or is threatening to cut off financial support you can apply to enforce an existing maintenance decision.

The UK has international agreements concerning maintenance with more than 100 countries. These reciprocal arrangements mean that an order can be registered and enforced in every one of these countries.

If your partner is breaking an existing order, there are numerous ways of enforcing it. The court can divert a portion of their salary directly to you (garnishee order), give you a charge over property or shares or even transfer bank accounts over to you. If your partner willfully and deliberately refuses to satisfy an order, this can amount to contempt – the court can fine and even jail them for this.

In the course of proceedings, maintaining the financial status quo is required as well as not doing anything that can be seen as dissipating assets. That should not, however, restrict you from making legitimate investments, as divorce should not be seen as a blanket ban on moving capital. Likewise, spouses can often apply for the extraction of cash reserves held in a business, arguing that they should be used for their claim rather than being retained for future investment.

Throughout proceedings, presenting business affairs in a transparent manner will be vital in avoiding attracting suspicion or appearing in a bad light. Our in-house corporate expertise, allied with our legal acumen, will help you protect your business activities.

If you conceive with a sperm donor by private arrangement outside of a UK fertility clinic, the donor could be considered the legal parent of the child with all the rights and responsibilities that flow from this. Complex legal issues also arise if you conceive privately through a straight surrogacy arrangement (where the surrogate conceives with her own egg). The law can apply differently depending on your relationship status (whether you are single, married, or in a civil partnership at the point of conception), how you conceive (artificial conception or sexual intercourse), who is named on the child’s birth certificate, and whether the donor will have/has an established relationship with the child. Given all of these variables it is important to obtain specialist legal advice.

Co-parenting is generally understood as a parenting arrangement in which the parents are not romantically involved. As a child can only have up to two legal parents in English law, this can create issues around who will obtain legal parenthood in multi-adult cases and who will be named on the child’s birth certificate. Legal problems can also occur around the acquisition and exercise of parental responsibility for the child, which governs decisions for the day-to-day welfare and upbringing of the child.

A written co-parenting agreement, tailored to your situation, is an important tool if you are entering a co-parenting arrangement. It will establish the ground rules for helping manage the complex legal aspects in practice, as well as the expectations involved. Whilst the court’s paramount consideration is the welfare of the child, a co-parenting agreement can be of important evidential benefit of what was intended, understood and agreed between the parties.

Conception with a known donor can provide a more personal dimension to your family building arrangement, however, it can also create risks in practice because the parties are known to each other. Changes of heart, disagreements and changes of circumstances can have an impact on your overall legal position, particularly after the birth if the donor has established a relationship with the child.

To protect yourself against these risks, you should seriously consider entering into a carefully written known donor agreement. If you do, the English Family Court can take this into account if a dispute arises. Whilst the court’s paramount consideration is the welfare of the child, your known donor agreement can be important evidence, clearly illustrating what was intended, understood, and agreed between you and your donor.

The law applies differently depending upon whether you conceive naturally or by assisted conception. Every person’s situation is different and requires tailored legal advice on the legal issues, implications and outcome in their case.

Legal and practical issues can arise at any point for families created through assisted conception, whether this be at the point of conception, at the point of birth, when crossing international boundaries, upon relationship breakdown, upon death, or as a result of changes in law and policy.

For aspiring families this can be immensely daunting, which is why we offer family building law advice sessions for those at the beginning of their journey. Vardags provide specialist legal advice on the full range of options available to you, such as fertility preservation law, IVF law, donor conception law, surrogacy law and co-parenting law.

The matrimonial home is very often the main asset of a marriage and is likely to be an area of consideration both during the divorce process itself as well as what happens when it is finalised. It is not uncommon for one party to leave the family home during divorce negotiations, especially where close contact causes unnecessary tension and conflict. However, it is crucial that you obtain full legal advice before taking any steps, to ensure that you do not compromise any aspect of your divorce.

Where a spouse is dissatisfied with the outcome of a case, they can appeal. To do so, however, they must have viable grounds.

Judges in family law have a wide discretion to make findings of fact and rule on the distribution of assets between the parties. For a successful appeal, the court must be shown that the initial judge erred in their understanding or application of the law. It is not possible to have a re-run of the case simply because you do not like the outcome.

The objective of our consultation is for you to understand the likely outcome of the case, meet the people who will be working on it day to day, understand the process, and have any questions answered.

Adopting a child gives the adoptive parents the full rights and responsibilities of a birth parent. As such, in the event of a divorce, proceedings in relation to the child will be the same as those concerning care arrangements for biological children.
As adoptive parents, you will need to agree with whom the child shall live and contact arrangements. All decisions regarding the child’s health, education and welfare will need to be made jointly.

Posthumous conception is legal in the UK, but it is highly complex and needs to be dealt with carefully. There are stringent legal requirements governing the procurement, storage and use of eggs, sperm and embryos following death, especially with regards to consent.

English law expects you to have secured written, signed consent for the storage and use of eggs, sperm, and embryos after death. Ideally, you should proactively complete a series of consent forms that are available at all UK fertility clinics because consent cannot usually be obtained retrospectively after death.

Our highly trained team will confidentially and promptly deal with your enquiry, listening to any privacy concerns you have, including worries about your spouse finding out, and agree on a method of contact that suits you best.

If you are involved in divorce proceedings and you have concerns that your partner may sell property and other assets, Vardags’ experienced team can help you make an application to court. An injunction can prevent your partner from disposing of property both in the UK and abroad. In effect, the injunction ‘freezes’ property, so that it is protected. We can provide swift and sensitive advice to help you act quickly, before it is too late.

Spouses having inflated ideas about the value of assets is not uncommon in high value divorces, especially where parties have had a high-spending lifestyle.

This false perception of reality can prove costly for both parties, if not kept in check. Where this is the case, full disclosure will be vital in demonstrating that there are no hidden assets while reassuring your spouse that everything has been done transparently. Equally important will be obtaining thorough valuations.

As the court has wide powers when making financial awards, it is vital that you set out the proper values of your assets so you can define your spouse's entitlement.

If you fear violence or are subject to violence, the court can and will protect you. For victims of domestic abuse (be it physical, verbal or emotional harm) the court can make non-molestation orders and occupation orders each giving you comprehensive legal protection.

Non-molestation orders (“non-mols”) are designed to protect your from harassment. Normally, they will prevent your ex-partner from harassing you and threatening you with violence. Sometimes they will bar them from contacting you directly and from going near you.

Though uncommon, false allegations of domestic violence can be extremely distressing. As leading family lawyers, Vardags can defend such claims while putting forward your case. Where false allegations are made before the court, the consequences can be very serious. Under an occupation or non-molestation order you could be removed from your home or arrested by the police.

Our specially trained Client Relations Team will confirm that they are speaking with you prior to properly introducing themselves and the company. If anyone other than yourself answers the call we will always end the discussion as soon as possible and in a suitable manner, to ensure we do not raise any suspicions. We can also contact you via whatsapp or email if that is preferable.

In a high net-worth divorce case, a party can start spending recklessly for a number of reasons. Freezing orders in family law ensure a wealthy party cannot dissipate their assets in this way. This is a form of injunction which restricts a party from spending above their reasonable needs. If they breach it, they can be fined or jailed.

Often people will apply for divorce proceedings in England with the aim of maximising their claim, even if this is not justified. Jurisdiction, in cases of divorce, is governed by a complex web of law, involving multiple cross-border elements. Generally, the divorce will only be heard in England if you, or your spouse, has been resident or domiciled in England.

London is known as one of the fairest locations for a less-wealthy spouse to bring a divorce. In many other countries, a spouse will receive little or no payment at the end of a marriage. If you want your fair share, it may be vital that your case is heard in England.

Jurisdiction in relation to divorce is governed by a complex web of English, European, and international law. Generally, you will only be able to get divorced in England if you, or your spouse, has been resident or domiciled in England. If there is more than one European country in which you are able to get divorced, the “correct” jurisdiction will be determined by where the proceedings are started first. If the jurisdiction is disputed between England and a non-European country, the court will consider which country is the most suitable to hear the dispute, considering where the assets are located and the previous lifestyles of the parties.

Trusts are invalid if they fail to comply with any one of a number of formal requirements, such as if the settlor fails to sign the trust instrument. A trust is a sham if it is established by its purported settlor and trustees without the intention of actually creating a trust, but instead for the purpose of creating the appearance of a trust without the ensuing legal obligations.

Our top divorce lawyers in London operate at a level that can only be reached through years of experience handling high-profile and high-value cases. We understand the demands placed on our clients, and we work proactively and thoroughly to deliver them the best results.

Our number is 020 3967 8661. However, if you are concerned about privacy please do flag when you reach out to us and we will ring from a withheld number to ensure complete discretion.

A top divorce solicitor should not only be qualified, but also have the proven experience and acumen required to deliver results at the highest level. That is what you get when you choose Vardags.

The top rated divorce lawyers at Vardags are strategic and litigious. We use our years of experience and strong judgement to deliver practical guidance and the results you expect.

Ensuring that you have a lawyer that has both the specialist skills, knowledge and experience is something that you want to clarify in your initial questions with your solicitor. The areas you want to clarify are:

How experienced is the lawyer in family law, particularly divorce law?
Have they dealt with cases that have similar circumstances that are relevant to your case?
How credible is the firm that the lawyer works for? A
What is the lawyer’s view on fair play?
How will they effectively ensure a good lawyer/client relationship especially when dealing with situations where emotions can be running high?
How frequently they will update you on your case?
Whether it will be one person with overall control and as a contact point?

Vardags focuses exclusively on high-value matters. Our solicitors have extensive experience working for clients with complex familial and financial circumstances. When you choose us, you choose the best.

Come prepared with any questions you have and think about what you would like to achieve from the consultation. This consultation is not just a formality. We will take the time to understand your key concerns, discuss your circumstances and get an initial overview of the relevant assets to your case. If applicable to your situation, we may discuss implications on probable jurisdiction, children, pets or any other factors important to you.

If you bring a child from abroad into the UK without having complied with the relevant regulations, you must notify your local authority of your intention to adopt that child as soon as you arrive in the UK so as to avoid criminal sanctions.
Whether you are worried about your legal status, or whether you have already been accused of not having complied with the regulations, it is vital to seek legal representation. Vardags can act quickly and effectively to help you secure yours and your child’s legal status. Alongside our family lawyers, we have top criminal defence lawyers in house to defend you in criminal proceedings, should it become necessary.

Modern families and those built through assisted conception, donor conception, and surrogacy create complex legal issues under English law. The law is not always a ‘good fit’. It does not always legally protect parents, children, donors and surrogates in their home or destination countries. This can create unforeseen issues and outcomes and generate international conflicts of law, possibly leaving parents and children without legal status and recognition.

Vardags can support you with specialist legal advice on citizenship, nationality, and immigration law in the UK, and legal parental status (legal parenthood and parental responsibility) if questions are raised by a doctor, health visitor, nursery staff, teacher, or border official.

When difficulties or disputes arise between an egg or sperm donor and the recipient, it can create a range of legal, medical, and emotional issues. This might lead to you wanting to withdraw consent to their use of eggs, sperm or embryos. A dispute could also develop during treatment, pregnancy or after the birth of the child, and could lead to contested court proceedings over the care and upbringing of them.

When relationships with family members become strained or fall into dispute it can create complex legal and emotional issues, particularly where children, inter-family donation and financial matters are involved. It is important for you to understand the legal issues so that you can carefully manage relationships and ensure the best outcome for you and the child.

When surrogacy arrangements fall into dispute it can be immensely distressing. We can secure and protect legal status for a surrogate born child through legal proceedings including assisting you with obtaining court orders such as parental orders, child arrangements orders, wardship, conferral and restriction of parental responsibility, specific issue, prohibited steps, special guardianship, adoption, and financial provision orders.

Vardags can provide you with sensitive, experienced legal advice on managing and resolving legal issues or a dispute with a surrogate, legal parenthood, and acquisition and exercise of parental responsibility for a child conceived through surrogacy.

You will talk through your circumstances with a Vardags solicitor. Then, we will offer an initial view of the options available for you and how best we think you should proceed.

What Should You Do If Your Spouse Is Being Unreasonable or Difficult During Divorce? Divorce is very often an emotionally strenuous experience, which can make the proceedings particularly stressful for everyone involved. It is also not uncommon for proceedings to become...

If circumstances change during a surrogate pregnancy, it is important to proactively manage the legal and practical issues as soon as they come about. Circumstances can change at any time for a variety of reasons, such as relationship breakdown between intended parents, change of heart by a surrogate, communication problems and expectation differences between the parties, illness or medical complications, professional or financial difficulties.

We understand how difficult this can be, and acknowledge the need to act quickly and carefully. We can provide specialist tailored legal advice on surrogacy law in the UK and internationally, family law advice for modern families created through surrogacy and assisted conception following relationship breakdown (including divorce and financial proceedings, cohabitation law, and civil partnership dissolution), and preparation of a ‘family proof’ Will.

The decision to embark upon treatment at a fertility clinic is not risk free. Although many experiences lead to positive outcomes, fertility treatment can create complex legal and medical issues, such as: problems with consent forms (incorrectly completed, lost or mislaid) which govern the procurement, storage, and use of eggs, sperm and embryos; loss, destruction, or wrongful use of eggs, sperm, or embryos; problems with fertility treatment, tests, and medication; refusal, restrictions, or delay in providing treatment.

Vardags can provide you with experienced and specialist legal advice on resolving a fertility law dispute with a clinic, expert witness services for fertility, parenting, and surrogacy law following clinical negligence, and fertility treatment law in the UK.

All estates must go through the process of probate, which is overseen by the Probate Court. It is this court which ultimately decides if the deceased’s will should be given legal effect. Unfortunately, disputes can arise when dealing with the deceased’s personal possessions.

If you are a trustee, it is not uncommon for issues to arise concerning a connected trust. A trustee may be faced with issues such as: a breach of trust claim, dealing with unforeseen tax liabilities, and handling difficult beneficiaries, to name but a few.

The donation of eggs or sperm by a family member is known as inter-family donation. It provides a genetic link between the recipient and the child (unlike conception with arms-length donated eggs or sperm), which can be an important driving factor in some cases.

To prevent consanguinity (incest), there are legal restrictions as to the mixing of eggs and sperm between close relatives. However, inter-family donation is permissible in some cases at UK fertility clinics.

Co-parenting is generally understood as a parenting arrangement in which the parents are not romantically involved. When a relationship with a co-parent becomes strained or falls into dispute it can create complex legal issues under assisted reproduction and family law in the UK. It can trigger a wide range of questions about legal status, identity, and parenthood for a child, acquisition and exercise of parental responsibility, care, upbringing, and financial provision for a child. Relationship difficulties can also highlight differences in outlook and expectations in life, and communication problems.
A tailored co-parenting agreement can help you to identify and manage these complex legal issues and can be of important evidential benefit in the event of any subsequent court proceedings. We can provide you with sensitive and specialist legal advice on co-parenting law in the UK and internationally, and the merits, content, and preparation of a tailored co-parenting agreement.

When a relationship with a donor becomes strained or falls into dispute, you should take careful consideration and management of the legal and wider issues involved. At this stage, an understanding of donor conception law in the UK and its application internationally, including the legal status of your donor, is particularly important. It is also important to understand and proactively manage the legal issues associated with the care and upbringing of any donor conceived child.

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales by the Office for National Statistics, 7.7% of women and 3.6% of men were victims of domestic abuse last year. Lockdown has seen a 7% rise in this figure. It is important to note that not all abuse is physical and, as now enshrined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, can also take the form of emotional bullying, intimidation, financial control and other coercive behaviours. Taking the first steps towards divorce is daunting, but all the more so in the context of domestic violence. Fortunately, however, there exist a number of steps you can take to ensure your safety and interests during the divorce process.

Our specialised solicitors frequently provide advice on issues related to:

● Inherited wealth
● Luxury investments
● Foreign real estate
● Major corporate interests

Vardags solicitors understand that assets like these involve layered structures that need to be carefully examined. We have years of experience working with private businesses and trusts, or investment portfolios, as well as personal assets like special holdings or collections. This is nothing new to us. We can handle cases that involve assets like these with the clarity and skilled professionalism that is required.

Vardags has a reputation for getting favourable outcomes in complicated and high-profile cases. This is supported by years of professional recognition and our client endorsements.

The difference is that our specialist solicitors have decades of experience working on cases that involve substantial assets and complex or international financial structures.

We aim to ring you back as soon as possible. However, there may be a slight delay outside of usual business hours.

Although the prospect of international adoption can be exciting, choosing which country to adopt your child from can be a daunting process. At Vardags we can advise you as to the process of international adoption depending on which country you want to adopt from, including whether an adoption order made in a particular country will be valid in England. We can put you in touch with Adoption Agencies who can guide you through the initial stages of that decision, whilst we assist with the legal implications alongside that.

There is often a lot of paperwork involved in a divorce and it can seem overwhelming to think about contacting more people about the change of circumstances. However, it is very important that you make sure that you contact all the relevant organisations that need to know your marital status to make sure all processes are correctly followed. 

The origin of wedding rings can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where they were first fashioned out of reeds and placed on the fourth finger of the left hand, through which it was believed ran the Vena Amoris (vein of love) which carried a flow of blood straight to the heart. While this anatomical myth has since been debunked by modern medicine, the tradition has otherwise endured, albeit with rings of much greater value.

High net worth cases rarely have straightforward financial environments. Our specialised solicitors have experience with complex ownership structures and possess the strategic vision required for high-value results. We are aware of the dynamics involved in substantial personal wealth.

The demands of UHNW separations are nothing new to Vardags solicitors. We recognise that in these situations, confidentiality and prompt decision-making are what is needed. Although general practitioners may excel at routine tasks, high-value work necessitates the precision and experience of a specialised team, which is where we come in.

High net worth cases rarely have straightforward financial environments. Our specialised solicitors have experience with complex ownership structures and possess the strategic vision required for high-value results. We are aware of the dynamics involved in substantial personal wealth.

The demands of UHNW separations are nothing new to Vardags solicitors. We recognise that in these situations, confidentiality and prompt decision-making are what is needed. Although general practitioners may excel at routine tasks, high-value work necessitates the precision and experience of a specialised team, which is where we come in.

The default position is that everyone is responsible for their own legal costs, but there can be situations in which a party may succeed in securing the payment of their fees by their spouse.

People that have gone through a divorce may wonder what will happen to their assets if they meet a new partner- does their former spouse inherit or their new partner. When going through a divorce it is very easy to overlook the impact it can have on other issues, for example your will. Ensuring the protection of your assets should be a key consideration following any important life changes such as marriage or divorce. By keeping your will valid and up to date also ensures that your wishes will be honoured.  

If we are struggling to reach you by phone we will leave a voicemail. However, if this is something you are concerned about please flag in your initial enquiry and we will avoid.