Divorce - My spouse is hiding or undervaluing their business or other assets ============================================================================ Vardags is the only high-net-worth (HNW) family law firm with a dedicated in-house Financial Forensics department. Our team specialises in the identification, tracing, valuation and forensic review of assets - including businesses, property and investments. If you are a HNW individual going through, or considering, a divorce, it is imperative to have an accurate valuation of all your spouse's assets. Whether these are locked up in complex, international trusts, hidden within investment portfolios, concealed through complicated share structures, these will need to be identified and considered for a fair settlement. The benefit of the Vardags model is that the only people doing the valuation and forensic accountancy work on your case will be forensic accountants with experience in matrimonial law. They will be able to provide their insight at the earliest stage of, and throughout, the case, giving our clients a strategic advantage. They also work regularly with the other departments at Vardags, assisting both with the uncovering of hidden assets, and their valuation. The department was set up by Vardags' CEO, Stephen Bence, himself a McKinsey analyst and is now staffed fully by chartered accountants. Katharine Danby was KPMG trained as a Forensic investigator, finding hidden assets and uncovering fraud. Ben Crowne trained at EY and has specialised for years in contentious valuations, dealing with cases where the parties disagree - often radically - about value. Their knowledge and expertise bridge the gap often found between lawyers and the accountants who do valuations on behalf of the court in a matrimonial proceeding, providing the best possible outcome for client in what can often be the most controversial and important aspect of a case. "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge "A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS -------------------------- 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/spouse-hiding-assets-offshore "My spouse is hiding assets in offshore bank accounts and companies, what can I do?") 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/appeal-unfair-settlement "My settlement was unfair, can I appeal?") 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/spouse-cut-off-financial-support "I'm worried my spouse will cut off financial support for me or my children.") 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/spouse-giving-away-assets "I'm worried my spouse will give away assets, what can I do?") 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/divorce-abroad-unreasonable-settlement "I got divorced abroad and got a terrible settlement, what can I do?") 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/run-out-of-money-for-living-expenses "I've run out of money to meet my living expenses, what can I do?") 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/unable-to-pay-legal-fees "I've run out of money to pay my legal fees, what should I do?") 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/i-want-to-get-divorced-but-i-dont-know-our-finances-are "I want to get divorced but I don't know what our finances are") 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. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/ex-not-paying-court-order "My ex hasn't paid me what the court ordered (and is perhaps hiding assets internationally), what can I do?") [MORE FAQS](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce) Specialisms ----------- ### Divorce lawyers covering the following locations [+ London](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/london "London")[Belgravia](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/belgravia "Belgravia") [Bloomsbury](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/bloomsbury "Bloomsbury") [Camden](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/camden "Camden") [Chelsea](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/chelsea "Chelsea") [Covent Garden](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/covent-garden "Covent Garden") [Earl's Court](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/earls-court "Earl's Court") [Hampstead](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/hampstead "Hampstead") [Harrow](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/harrow "Harrow") [Highgate](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/highgate "Highgate") [Holland Park](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/holland-park "Holland Park") [Kensington](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/kensington 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owners](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/farmers-and-farm-owners "Farmers and farm owners") ### Divorce lawyers for international clients [Australia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/australia "Australia Desk") [Bahrain Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bahrain "Bahrain Desk") [BVI Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bvi "BVI Desk") [Belgium Desk](https://vardags.com/international/belgium "Belgium Desk") [Bermuda Desk](https://vardags.com/international/bermuda "Bermuda Desk") [Canada Desk](https://vardags.com/international/canada "Canada Desk") [Cayman Islands Desk](https://vardags.com/international/cayman-islands "Cayman Islands Desk") [China Desk](https://vardags.com/international/china "China Desk") [Dubai (UAE) Desk](https://vardags.com/international/dubai "Dubai (UAE) Desk") [France Desk](https://vardags.com/international/france "France Desk") [Germany Desk](https://vardags.com/international/germany "Germany Desk") [Gibraltar 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[Mauritius Desk](https://vardags.com/international/mauritius "Mauritius Desk") [Monaco Desk](https://vardags.com/international/monaco "Monaco Desk") [Netherlands Desk](https://vardags.com/international/netherlands "Netherlands Desk") [New Zealand Desk](https://vardags.com/international/new-zealand "New Zealand Desk") [Oman Desk](https://vardags.com/international/oman "Oman Desk") [Russia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/russia "Russia Desk") [United States of America Desk](https://vardags.com/international/united-states-america "United States of America Desk") [Portugal Desk](https://vardags.com/international/portugal "Portugal Desk") [Poland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/poland "Poland Desk") [Qatar Desk](https://vardags.com/international/qatar "Qatar Desk") [Saudi Arabia Desk](https://vardags.com/international/saudi-arabia "Saudi Arabia Desk") [Scotland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/scotland "Scotland Desk") [Singapore Desk](https://vardags.com/international/singapore "Singapore Desk") [South Africa Desk](https://vardags.com/international/south-africa "South Africa Desk") [Spain Desk](https://vardags.com/international/spain "Spain Desk") [Switzerland Desk](https://vardags.com/international/switzerland "Switzerland Desk") ### Divorce lawyers for clients of specific gender or sexuality [LGBTQ+ clients](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/lgbt-clients "LGBTQ clients") [Men](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/divorce-lawyers-men "Men") [Women](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/divorce-lawyers-women "Women") Media Highlights ---------------- [Time Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine](http://time.com/5037316/britain-divorce-london-capital-ayesha-vardag/ "Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine") [BBC News David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7279887504982302720 "David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News") [The Telegraph 'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/06/homemaker-ex-wife-laura-ashley-boss-wins-third-200m-income-payout/ "'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout") [The Telegraph Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/brexit-stopped-us-getting-our-abducted-children-back/ "Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph") [The Times Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce](https://www.thetimes.com/article/12c7dc62-6d9f-4c75-9314-b17a9d4fc98f?shareToken=3393e3e3e8101b72a28c6d95a1c641fe "Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce") [Vardags climbs ranks of UK's biggest firms in The Lawyer's UK 200](https://vardags.com/posts/vardags-london-climbs-ranks-of-uks-biggest-firms-in-the-lawyers-uk-200) OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES -------------------------- Vardags is one of the UK's leading divorce law firms. We specialise in complex, high net worth and international cases. The Legal 500 has said of Vardags: "The team is noted for its sheer intellect" [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/divorce "Divorce") Vardags is among the leading family law firms in the UK. Our solicitors specialise in complex cases for high net worth individuals, including international child relocation, child abduction, and prenuptial agreements. The Legal 500 has said that "clients feel in totally safe hands" with Vardags' Children & Family lawyers. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/children-and-family "Children & Family") Our reputation and privacy team, headed by top media lawyer Alex McCready, works in and out of the public eye on cases involving defamation, privacy and reputation management. We provide expert advice and representation across the full range of reputation and privacy related matters, including crisis management, emergency injunctions and actions against online and new media. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/reputation-privacy "Reputation & Privacy") Vardags is a leading UK law firm with expertise in complex disputes relating to a range of corporate law matters. Our team has a wealth of expertise to help clients with their legal needs. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/corporate "Corporate") Vardags is a successful and rapidly-growing law firm with an outstanding reputation for winning cases. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/criminal-defence "Criminal Defence") Vardags is a top law firm with a trailblazing fertility and surrogacy department. We have had success with some of the most groundbreaking cases of the last decade in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, with rulings that have changed the law. Vardags remains at the cutting edge of fertility law, pushing for further improvement of the outdated legislation in place in Britain. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/fertility-surrogacy "Fertility & Surrogacy") Vardags' civil litigation team is renowned for its nous and its consistent ability to deliver results. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/commercial-civil-litigation "Commercial & Civil Litigation") Vardags' wills and trusts team has the specific expertise to cater to the wills and trusts needs of high-net-worth and high-profile individuals. Richard Todd QC, Leading Counsel for Yasmin Prest said of Vardags: "a note to acknowledge your firm's pivotal role in achieving such an outstanding result in the recent Supreme Court case of Petrodel v Prest". [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/wills-trusts "Wills, Trusts and Probate") Vardags is a leading family law firm with specialist expertise in assisting clients who are experiencing domestic abuse. We appreciate that those in abusive relationships may face difficulties contacting us. We can provide additional discretion, such as arranging alternative meeting places and talking via our WhatsApp service. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/domestic-abuse "Domestic Abuse Lawyers") [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/sje-and-shadow-experts "Single Joint Experts & Shadow Experts")