Matrimonial Survey: divorcing couples are likely to conceal assets

Grant Thornton has published it's eighth annual matrimonial survey. 

Within this, some 48% of family lawyers believe that individuals are likely to conceal assets during a divorce further, 35% of family lawyers consider it a possibility also.  Some 67% of family solicitors express concern that parties could take advantage of the potential delays arising out of the new mediation assessment meetings by concealing or moving assets.

 Separately, 82% of family lawyers believed that some people had delayed divorce proceedings due to the recession.  However, some family lawyers did say that clients had taken advantage of the economy and had seen the opportunity to divorce during a recession in order to benefit from lower income or asset values which in turn would lead to a lower settlement.

 In respect of pre-marital (commonly referred to as pre-nuptial agreement), 58% of the family lawyers replying stated that they had seen an increase in this workload particularly following the Supreme Court's decision in Radmacherv Granatino a further 59% of family lawyers believed that this workload would increase during the coming years.

 The number one area for legislation seen as a need for family solicitors is that of protecting co-habiting couples and after that, the introduction of a no fault divorce.

James Maguire & Co is a specialist firm of Family Law and Divorce Law solicitors based in Wilmslow, Cheshire. We offer legal advice to parties going through a divorce including the financial issues which flow from this and children matters including child maintenance. We can also advise on Schedule1 Children Act 1989 applications.

We advise clients in the Wilmslow area and also to the surrounding areas of Alderley Edge, Bramhall, Hale, Altrincham, Manchester and the North West. We are also able to act for clients nationally and internationally subject to the jurisdiction of England and Wales. For advice please contact James Maguire by telephone +44 (0) 1625 529456 or by email james.maguire@family-law.