Couples who divorce after only a brief marriage can no longer expect to have their assets split equally by default following an appeal court ruling.
Energy trader Julie Sharp successfully challenged a ruling that her former husband was entitled to half of the fortune she built up during their four year marriage.
She argued that “because this was a short marriage he should not get half of the matrimonial pot”.
The Court of Appeal ruled in her favour, concluding that the £2.725 million payout previously awarded to Robin Sharp, an IT consultant, should be reduced to £2 million.
Lord Justice McFarlane, one of three judges sitting on the Court of Appeal panel, said there was “no impediment” to depart from that principle [of equal division] concluding that in a short, dual career marriage in which the couple had kept their finances separate, it was indeed “justified”.
Divorce law changes
At Wrigley Claydon, we fight on your behalf to make this difficult time a little easier. We are experienced family lawyers and can assist you with the legal aspects of any family situation in which you may find yourself, including any divorce law changes. We deal with our cases sensitively.
