Wife Wins £13m in High-Net-Worth Divorce Settlement

A woman has been awarded just over £13 million following a high-net-worth divorce settlement case involving a long-running financial dispute with her former husband, a businessman, after a 20-year relationship.

Mr Justin Warshaw KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge in the Family Court, ruled that the settlement should leave the wife with around 43% of the couple’s total wealth, worth more than £30 million.

Background to the Marriage and Lifestyle

The parties, anonymised as TF (husband) and SF (wife), met in the late 1990s and married in 2006. They have three children, now aged 21, 19 and 16. The husband built up a successful business in heavy plant and later in offshore decommissioning, while the wife managed the family home.

Their marriage broke down in 2021. The court heard evidence of a high standard of living during the relationship, including private schooling, luxury holidays, and a substantial Art Deco family home — all factors that often complicate a high-net-worth divorce settlement case, where lifestyle expectations and asset valuation play a central role.

Disputed Business Assets and Share Sale

The most contentious issue concerned the husband’s sale of shares in a port redevelopment project, LM1, which realised £29.5 million in 2023, with a further £9.5 million due in October 2025. The husband argued these were post-separation, non-matrimonial assets.

The wife said the foundations of the deal had been laid during the marriage.

The judge found the project had its origins while the couple were still together and ruled that the proceeds should be shared, though not equally, taking into account the husband’s post-separation efforts and the wife’s continuing domestic contribution. This reflects the nuanced approach courts take in high-net-worth divorce settlement cases, where the distinction between matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets is often blurred. For more on how financial settlements are assessed, see the UK Government’s guidance.

Judicial Findings on Conduct and Disclosure

The judge criticised the husband’s conduct in litigation, including failures of disclosure and attempts to put financial pressure on the wife after separation. He described him as “confident, charismatic and charming” but also “intimidating” and at times dishonest in evidence.

By contrast, the wife was considered “an essentially honest witness”, though some of her claims were described as overstated.

The judge rejected her attempt to frame parts of the case as misconduct under s25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 but said her role in supporting the children since separation was a significant factor. These kinds of behavioural assessments are increasingly relevant in high-net-worth divorce settlement cases, where transparency and fairness are critical to judicial decision-making. The Law Commission’s review of financial remedies explores potential reforms in this area.

Final Outcome in High-Net-Worth Divorce Settlement Case

On a clean-break basis, the judge ordered that:

• The wife retains the £3.4 million family home.
• She receives the balance of a frozen escrow account worth just over £5 million.
• The husband must pay her a further lump sum of £4.8 million by October 2025.

This leaves her with £13.1 million, or 43% of total assets. The husband will retain about £17.3 million. He must also pay for their youngest child’s education and £25,000 per year in child maintenance, subject to formal consent.

The judge also ordered the husband to pay one-third of the wife’s legal costs — a common outcome in high-net-worth divorce settlement cases, where litigation costs can be substantial and are often factored into the final award.

Need Advice on a High-Net-Worth Divorce Settlement Case?

Divorces involving significant wealth and intricate financial structures can be particularly challenging, requiring a specialist approach. At Machins Solicitors, we understand the complexities that come with a high-net-worth divorce settlement case. Our dedicated team of expert solicitors is here to provide personalised advice, helping you navigate financial settlements, safeguard your assets, and achieve a fair outcome.

Please get in touch if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of family law.