It has been reported in the media in the last week that Ant McPartlin has confirmed he is to divorce to his wife Lisa Armstrong. The couple met 26 years ago and married in 2007.
Lisa Armstrong has reportedly hired lawyers to negotiate a settlement of £31 million which the newspapers claim, subject to legal advice, Ant is willing to pay.
January is often referred to as ‘Divorce Month’ due to an annual increase of separations. New year, new year resolutions, wanting to start a fresh, whatever the reason there is a significant spike in petitions in January, Ant and his wife it seems are no different.
If you do decide separation is the right decision for you then it is vital you take legal advice at the earliest possible stage, just like Ant and Lisa, to ensure you are well advised as to the various financial options available. It is essential separating couples are aware of the full extent of their financial circumstances including any debts acquired during the relationship. Securing a stable financial future is crucial especially when there are children involved.
Following the breakdown of a marriage the sharing and divisions of assets can be complex with there being no set formula to follow. Failure to take legal advice and achieve a fair settlement can leave parties exposed to future claims against the other, long after the marriage has ended. This was demonstrated in the case of Wyatt v Vince where the court granted the ex wife permission to pursue a financial claim 20 years after the marriage had broken-down. In the absence of a full and final settlement there is no set time limit in family law for making a financial order against an ex spouse.
For information on divorce or separation and related financial matters please contact a member of our dedicated family law team on 0845 287 0939. Alternately, you can complete an enquiry form and a member of our team will get back to you.
