divorce

Charitable giving is increasingly becoming a keystone in ultra-high net worth family estate planning.  Therefore, in considering how to unwind an estate plan on divorce, thought must be given to how to disentangle the family’s charitable activities.

How a philanthropic programme can be bisected such that each party can pursue their own independent path depends significantly on the form of that programme; at its most complex it involves a close investigation of UK charity and trust law to determine the best way to separate the two individuals.

The United Kingdom left the European Union last year and the transitional period which applies EU law to UK divorces expires on 31 December, 2020 at 23:00 GMT. This expiry will have potentially dramatic changes in international family law which will affect every wealthy family with a European connection.

And there will be profound changes in the way that family law operates within Europe after that date.

Divorce, despite the best efforts of the parties and their solicitors, can sometimes be a traumatic, and difficult process. Divorce proceedings are often more complicated, and the animosity between the parties can increase, where as well as being married, there is a family business. We look at some of the ways in which the courts in England and Wales approach the family business within divorce proceedings.

Living longer thanks to advances in healthcare and technology means family business leaders may marry and have children more than once, with huge repercussions around the kitchen table and the boardroom table. James Beech looks at how ‘blended families’ and family businesses mix