Shropshire Solicitor's Divorce Warning! Divorcing Couples At Risk If Former Partner Goes Bankrupt

UK couples should be aware that their divorce payouts could be at risk if their former partner is declared bankrupt. A Shropshire divorce solicitor has warned couple's facing a divorce that their financial settlement could be at risk if their former partner is declared bankrupt.

“In today’s climate of ever-increasing debt, it’s imperative that couples are fully aware of the risks involved when they reach a settlement in their divorce – it may not always be the closure they were hoping for.”

“Even when the financial deal has been agreed as part of the divorce proceedings, trustees appointed to handle the bankruptcy have the power to try to get their hands on the divorce settlement to pay off creditors. This means that just when a spouse feels everything has been sorted out, and they are financially in a secure position to face the future, their previous partner’s bankruptcy could come back to haunt them.”

The warning is that even worse, the settlement could be at risk for up to “five years” after the divorce is finalised. A case heard by the High Court did initially offer some hope to people who found themselves in this situation. The husband declared himself bankrupt, and his trustees tried to recover the assets which had been signed over to his former wife, in order to pay off his creditors, but a district judge ruled she should be allowed to keep the settlement she received. However, the trustees launched an appeal, and the High Court has now overturned the initial decision, which means the wife stands to lose the money and assets she received at the time of the divorce.

“Unless the wife takes her case to the Court of Appeal, the law will remain as it stands, and many wives will remain vulnerable to their ex-husband’s creditors in the future.”

Any couples considering a divorce are strongly advised to seek legal advice from a specialist divorce solicitor, especially if their partner is in financial difficulty. This article is free to republish provided this resource box remains intact.

Nadia Davis is a Divorce lawyer in Telford, Shropshire and heads the Family Law team at Martin Kaye Solicitors. She is a member of the Law Society's specialist Children Panel. Nadia became a partner in July 2006 and has a particular experience in high value financial & property disputes.

Other articles by Nadia Davis

Shropshire Solicitor Divorce Warning to Wealthy Husbands Regarding European Court of Human Rights! - by Nadia Davis

Shropshire Divorce Solicitor leading the Family Law team at Martin Kaye Solicitors in Telford warns divorcing couples after a husband leads a divorce “pay fight”.

The Telford Solicitor said that “well-publicised divorce cases have led to several wives becoming millionaires

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