Prevent assets being disposed of
Sometimes one spouse/partner will try to hide or dispose of assets before the court can make orders about them. In this way, he or she hope to be able to frustrate the claims of the other.
The courts take a dim view of such dealings and the law gives them powers to prevent such disposals, if they can be caught in advance, or undo transactions to get assets back.
If you think that your spouse/partner will take steps to dispose of assets in this way, you need to be cautious and prepared to take action speedily.
Assess the way your spouse/partner is likely to react to a family split. Has he/she threatened to hide or dispose of assets in the past? Does he/she have shady financial dealings that they would not want investigated? Are there offshore accounts? Do you feel that he/she is likely to be greedy and unscrupulous when it comes to money?
If you have real fears about this consider what you might need to do before or immediately after you discuss a family split, to protect myself financially. It is easier to stop money going, than to get it back later.
Consult the experts. For more information or a free legal opinion telephone 020-7381-8111 (24 hour service) or email law@rhplaw.co.uk.
