- Andrew Barton

When a couple are looking to divide their assets on divorce, it is always recommended that they should seek to distinguish between different classes of asset. A good example of this is the approach taken to dividing pensions. It is common to bring about a pension division separately from the division of non-pension assets.

The Government has launched a consultation on reforming the financial consequences of relationship breakdown in England and Wales.

In the modern world, offshore wealth is not as uncommon as it was 20 or even 10 years ago. Increasingly, financial professionals are more bullish about recommending offshore mechanisms or vehicles to their clients to mitigate tax and transparency. This might seem a perfectly sensible idea at the point tax advice is given, however in the event of divorce, it can lead to complications. The treatment of offshore wealth is now very much a key theme in international family law.