Myth buster: In England, matrimonial assets are simply split 50/50 during divorce

It is quite common for people divorcing in England and Wales to think that all their assets will be split 50/50 after their marriage ends. While this is definitely a starting point, it is far from being a steadfast rule.

If your divorce goes to court you're absolutely not guaranteed a 50/50 split of assets. This is something to consider for those who think that an alternative to a negotiated agreement is a guaranteed equal split. Instead, the court will aim to divide assets in a way that is fair and equal, which isn't always half and half.

The court will consider factors such as future earnings for each party, the economic situation of each party, and the Child Arrangements (if they have children), as the person who has the most time with the children might be awarded a larger share.

This means it is very difficult to anticipate what a court might decide and it's rarely worth the gamble. Something to keep in mind as part of the divorce negotiations with regards to defining your bottom line on the division of matrimonial assets!

Video version: