Increase to ex-wife’s maintenance payments

Increase to ex-wife’s maintenance payments
A woman who divorced her husband 15 years ago has won the right to remain being supported by her ex because she has spent all of the £230,000 she won in the divorce.

She made investments in several London properties but ended up losing all of her money after borrowing the maximum amount with each purchase she was not able to keep up with all of the repayments.

The case was taken to the Court of Appeal where the Judge ordered that the ex-husband must continue to support her because her basic needs cannot be met and he has the recourses to be able to do so, resulting in him having to pay her £1441 every month.

The ex-husband argued that, as the marriage is now over, he is not responsible for her finances. 

After the case, the Solicitor acting on behalf of the ex-husband commented: “How can a woman in a situation after 15 years expect now to be maintained for the next 50? This is a paradigm case for reform of the law. I tis wrong in principal and in law that the wife should continue to depend, and indeed seek to increase, her dependence on the husband.”

This case acts as a subtle reminder as to the extensive and varied powers available to the court when looking at financial remedy both at the time of the divorce, or when spousal maintenance is reviewed after the divorce but before the termination period. If you find yourself in similar circumstances, then contact a member of our Family team who are able to meet with you at our Dominus Way, Market Harborough and Wigston branches.

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