Headlines about a wife being awarded millions in a divorce can easily create the impression that divorce settlements are designed to favour one spouse over the other. 

However, this is not how divorce law works in England and Wales. 

A wife is not automatically entitled to millions simply because her husband is wealthy. Equally, the person who earned most of the money during the marriage does not necessarily get to keep it. 

The court’s main objective is to reach a fair financial outcome based on the couple’s circumstances, assets, needs, responsibilities, and contributions. 

At southgate solicitors, our family law solicitors help clients understand how financial settlements are decided, particularly where substantial property, businesses, investments, pensions, or international assets are involved. 

Why Might a Wife Be Awarded Millions in a Divorce? 

A divorce award may reach millions where the marriage involves a significant amount of wealth. 

This could include: 

• High-value family homes 

• Investment properties 

• Business interests 

• Company shares 

• Savings and investments 

• Pensions 

• Trust assets 

• Overseas property 

• Valuable personal possessions 

• Significant income or bonuses 

The amount awarded will depend on the overall value of the available assets and what the court considers fair. 

An award worth millions does not necessarily mean that one spouse has been given an unusually large share. It may simply reflect the size of the matrimonial asset pool. 

Our high-net-worth divorce solicitors can provide advice where a financial settlement involves substantial or complicated assets. 

Does a Wife Automatically Receive Half of Everything? 

No. 

There is no automatic rule stating that every divorce settlement must be divided equally. 

An equal division may sometimes be used as a starting point, particularly after a long marriage where the assets were built up together. However, the court can move away from an equal division where fairness requires it. 

The outcome may be affected by: 

• The needs of each spouse 

• The needs of any children 

• The available financial resources 

• The length of the marriage 

• The income and earning capacity of each person 

• The standard of living during the marriage 

• The age and health of both spouses 

• The financial and non-financial contributions made by each person 

Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 requires the court to consider the couple’s resources, needs, responsibilities, standard of living, contributions, and other relevant circumstances. 

You may also want to read our guide on Is Everything Really Split 50/50 in Divorce in the UK? 

Does the Higher Earner Have to Give Away Their Wealth? 

Not necessarily. 

The fact that one spouse earned most or all of the family’s income does not automatically mean that they will keep a larger percentage of the assets. 

The court recognises both financial and non-financial contributions. 

For example, one spouse may have focused on building a company or developing a successful career while the other cared for the children, managed the family home, or supported the working spouse. 

The contribution made by a homemaker can be treated as equally important to the contribution made by the main income earner. 

The court does not generally approach marriage as a commercial arrangement in which only direct financial contributions count. 

Are Business Assets Included in a Divorce Settlement? 

Business interests can be considered during divorce proceedings. 

This may include: 

• Ownership of a private company 

• Shares in a family business 

• Partnership interests 

• Business property 

• Director’s loan accounts 

• Retained company profits 

• Future income generated by the business 

A business is not automatically sold or divided between the spouses. 

The court will consider its value, ownership, source, liquidity, and importance as a source of future income. It may be possible to offset the value of a business against other assets so that the company can continue operating. 

In more complicated cases, an independent expert may be required to value the business. 

Our business and divorce solicitors can help where a financial settlement involves company shares, partnerships, family businesses, or complicated corporate structures. 

Is the Family Home Included? 

Yes. 

The family home is often one of the most important assets considered during a divorce, regardless of whose name appears on the legal title. 

Possible outcomes may include: 

• Selling the property and dividing the proceeds 

• Transferring the property to one spouse 

• Allowing one spouse and the children to remain in the home temporarily 

• One spouse buying out the other person’s interest 

• Delaying the sale until a future date 

The court will consider the housing needs of both parties, with particular attention given to the needs of any dependent children. 

You may also want to read our guide on What Happens to the Family Home After Divorce? 

Are Pensions Taken into Account? 

Yes. 

Pensions can be among the most valuable assets in a marriage, particularly where one person has built up substantial retirement benefits. 

A pension may be dealt with through: 

• A pension sharing order 

• Pension attachment 

• Offsetting its value against other assets 

For example, one spouse may receive a greater share of the property while the other retains more of their pension. Whether this is fair will depend on the value and nature of the assets involved. 

Government guidance confirms that financial arrangements following divorce can cover pensions as well as property, savings, investments, and maintenance. 

If you are concerned about retirement assets, our pension sharing solicitors can explain your options. 

What Happens to Assets Owned Before the Marriage? 

Assets acquired before marriage may sometimes be treated differently from wealth built up during the marriage. 

These are often described as non-matrimonial assets. 

They may include: 

• Property owned before the relationship 

• Pre-marital savings 

• An established business 

• Family wealth 

• Gifts from relatives 

• Inherited assets 

However, owning an asset before marriage does not guarantee that it will be excluded. 

The court may consider whether the asset became mixed with the family’s finances, whether it was used as the matrimonial home, the length of the marriage, and whether the remaining assets are enough to meet everyone’s needs. 

In a needs-based case, the court may use both matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets to achieve a fair outcome. 

Can Inheritance Be Included in a Divorce? 

Potentially. 

An inheritance is not automatically divided between spouses, but it cannot always be protected from a divorce settlement. 

The court may consider: 

• When the inheritance was received 

• Whether it was kept separate 

• Whether it was used for the family 

• The length of the marriage 

• The financial needs of both parties 

• Whether there are enough other assets available 

An inherited property that became the family home may be treated differently from an inheritance that remained in a separate account. 

Our inheritance and divorce solicitors can advise you on how inherited wealth may be treated. 

Can a Wife Receive Spousal Maintenance? 

Yes, although spousal maintenance is not automatic and is not limited to wives. 

Either spouse may be required to pay maintenance where the other person cannot reasonably meet their living costs from their own income and resources. 

The court may consider: 

• The income of both spouses 

• Their reasonable living expenses 

• Childcare responsibilities 

• Their ability to work 

• Their future earning capacity 

• The standard of living during the marriage 

• The length of the marriage 

Maintenance may be ordered for a fixed period or, in some cases, for a longer duration. It may also be reviewed if financial circumstances change. 

Our spousal maintenance solicitors can advise on whether maintenance may be payable and how the amount could be calculated. 

Do Children Affect the Divorce Settlement? 

Yes. 

The welfare and financial needs of dependent children are an important consideration. 

The court may consider: 

• Where the children will live 

• Their housing requirements 

• Schooling and childcare costs 

• Any additional health or support needs 

• The income available in each household 

• The financial responsibilities of each parent 

This can affect what happens to the family home and how other assets are divided. 

A parent who is responsible for the children’s main home may receive a larger share of certain assets to ensure that the children are properly housed. 

This does not mean the parent is being rewarded. The purpose is to meet the family’s practical needs following separation. 

Does Bad Behaviour Affect the Financial Settlement? 

Usually, ordinary marital behaviour does not affect how assets are divided. 

The financial court is not generally concerned with deciding who was responsible for the breakdown of the marriage. 

However, conduct may be considered in exceptional circumstances where it would be unfair for the court to ignore it. 

Financial misconduct may be relevant where one spouse has: 

• Hidden assets 

• Deliberately reduced the value of a business 

• Transferred property to another person 

• Spent substantial matrimonial funds irresponsibly 

• Failed to provide honest financial disclosure 

• Attempted to place assets beyond the court’s reach 

These cases can be legally and financially complicated. Evidence must be gathered carefully and through lawful methods. 

Can a Prenuptial Agreement Prevent a Large Award? 

A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can influence the outcome of a financial settlement, but it does not automatically remove the court’s power to decide what is fair. 

The court may give significant weight to an agreement where: 

• Both parties entered into it freely 

• Each person understood its implications 

• There was honest financial disclosure 

• Both parties received independent legal advice 

• The agreement does not create an unfair outcome 

• The needs of both spouses and any children are properly addressed 

An agreement that leaves one spouse unable to meet their reasonable needs may be given less weight. 

Our prenuptial agreement solicitors can help prepare or review an agreement intended to protect personal, family, or business wealth. 

Can Couples Agree Their Own Financial Settlement? 

Yes. 

Many couples agree how their assets should be divided without asking a judge to make the decision after a contested hearing. 

An agreement may be reached through: 

• Solicitor negotiations 

• Mediation 

• Collaborative law 

• Private financial dispute resolution 

• Direct discussions between the parties 

However, a private agreement is not automatically legally binding. 

The agreed terms should normally be recorded in a Consent Order and approved by the court. Government guidance confirms that a Consent Order is required to make an agreed division of assets legally binding and enforceable. 

Our Consent Order solicitors can prepare the necessary documents and help ensure that the agreement properly addresses future financial claims. 

What Does a Million-Pound Divorce Award Really Mean? 

A headline stating that a wife was awarded millions does not explain the full financial position. 

It does not tell you: 

• How much the couple owned overall 

• Whether the award included property or pensions 

• Whether one spouse retained a business 

• Whether children needed to be housed 

• Whether the marriage was short or long 

• Whether assets had been inherited 

• Whether maintenance was included 

• Whether the parties had already reached an agreement 

A large award does not automatically mean that the court favoured the wife or punished the husband. 

It usually means that the court considered the entire financial position and reached an outcome based on fairness, needs, and the circumstances of that particular marriage. 

Why Legal Advice Is Important 

High-value divorce settlements often involve more than simply calculating the value of the family home and dividing it in half. 

Businesses, trusts, investments, overseas assets, pensions, inheritance, tax implications, and future income may all need to be considered. 

Early legal advice can help you: 

• Understand which assets may be included 

• Protect your financial position 

• Obtain proper valuations 

• Identify missing financial disclosure 

• Negotiate a fair settlement 

• Avoid unnecessary court proceedings 

• Make the final agreement legally binding 

At southgate solicitors, we advise clients across England and Wales on divorce, financial settlements, business assets, property, pensions, maintenance, and other family law matters.