Celebrity Divorce: The Importance Of Professional Legal Advice

The news about the separation and coming divorce of Bill and Melinda Gates caused something of a media frenzy around the globe. In his latest blog, Family Law Solicitor Adrian Rose discusses the importance of professional legal advice….

After 27 years of marriage and after amassing a fortune between them that at times has made them the richest couple in the World, speculation mounted as to whether they’d entered in a pre-nuptial agreement, whether they would fight for every last cent of their billions of dollars through the Courts and even which celebrity lawyers they would each choose.

The reality, as is often the case, is somewhat different. Whilst they each have appointed an army of lawyers, it would seem that their discussions and negotiations are well advanced and that agreements are likely to be reached. The armies of lawyers are there to help them with what is likely to be a mammoth task of dividing their significant resources and obligations with all of the consequences that then follow, and not to seek to score points or incur costs unnecessarily.

The full BBC article can be found at https://bbc.in/33inGGP

Anybody who has been through a divorce will know that it can be a painful process. It can also be expensive. There are ways, as the Gates have already shown, to make it easier and less expensive.

1. Talk To A Lawyer

Talking to an experience family lawyer means that you will have informed advice about how your options and how to proceed.

2. Keep It Business-Like

Keep your relationship amicable by all means but try not to let emotions – good or bad – cloud your judgment. Negotiations about money and property should be business-like and not necessarily amicable. Once you have agreed on the division of assets and liabilities and future ongoing support you can both focus on rebuilding an amicable relationship.

3. Understand Your Former Partner’s Position

We choose to separate for many reasons and often take many years to come to a decision to do so. It is important to try to understand where your spouse is in the process. The ending of a marriage is often extremely frightening for one or both of you and this can result in anger and unreasonable behaviour. Sometimes you need to allow your spouse some time to come to terms with the idea of the end of the marriage.

4. Protect Your Children

The experts agree that children’s well being can be damaged if a divorce is bitter. Parents or carers must do what they can to protect children from conflict. If it can be achieved, a joint approach towards the children is desirable. It goes without saying that you should not try to manipulate your children against your partner nor should you criticise your spouse to your children or within their earshot.

5. Use Your Lawyer Wisely

Make any time your lawyer spends count. Don’t spend time with your solicitor detailing the many ways in which your spouse’s behaviour is unreasonable. Don’t spend time fighting over trivialities. Your end goal is a financial settlement you can live with. Keep focused and don’t allow yourself to be diverted into expensive blind alleys. Friends, family and professional services, such as counselling, may be better routes to find emotional support.

6. Plan For Your Future And Be Forward Thinking

Revisiting past behaviour will not assist in achieving an agreement that you can both live with. The family courts never wish to spend time picking over the details of a marriage. Their function is to ensure that your property and money are divided fairly and your children’s welfare is safeguarded. And be realistic about what you need financially. Don’t be tempted to agree something quickly to get it over with or because you feel guilty. Make sure you understand what resources you will have available to you in the future and what lifestyle this will provide for you.

There are few that have the resources the Gates have whether before or even after divorce, but with good advice and careful planning the outcomes are almost always better for all concerned.

For further information on separation or divorce, please feel free to contact me on 01332 364436 or via email at a.rose@timms-law.com

Adrian Rose
May 2021