Is a limited company protected from divorce?

Joanne Wescott
cube cafe camden

Table of Contents

Is my spouse entitled to half of my business?

If you are involved in running a limited company, then it is important that you know how a divorce could affect your business.

We understand that this can be a worrying time for you, not only facing changes in your personal life but with the added stress of how that may impact your working life.  Below we take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions from our business clients contemplating divorce.

One of the most contentious issues when it comes to businesses in divorce settlements tends to be the value of any business.  It is not uncommon for the spouse running the business to portray it as being of little or no value.  Accounts need to be scrutinised to ensure a fair value is obtained, and how the value is assessed will depend on the business structure and profits.  

Any business that you or your spouse have a financial interest in will need to be disclosed and taken into account in your divorce settlement.  There are a number 

of factors that will determine how big a factor a business asset will feature in a financial settlement. These include the nature of the business, how long it has been established and what involvement your spouse has in the business.

Family and international business structures can sometimes make it difficult to value the business and to release cash or assets from it, however, our lawyers work closely with accountants who have expertise in valuing businesses and understanding the interplay between business and tax structures in divorce.  

Most importantly, we understand the importance of keeping your business as a going concern and can guide you in reaching an outcome that will ensure the integrity of your business is not compromised. 

Will my business be taken into account in divorce?

It is often thought that a business will not be taken into account in a divorce, but that is not the case.

The starting point is that a business is considered to be an asset. If you have an interest in a business, then it must be disclosed during the divorce process in the same way as any of your other assets. Your share of any value in the business will be taken into account when calculating the overall matrimonial pot to be divided between spouses.

Does it matter if I am a sole trader, a partner in a small business or a limited company director?

Your business structure will dictate how assets are owned:

  • as a sole trader, the business assets are solely yours;
  • as a member of a partnership, the business assets are owned jointly by the partners, either equally or in accordance with shares specified in a partnership agreement; or
  • a limited company is a separate legal entity, which means that any business assets are owned by the company, not by individual directors.

How a company is operated and your individual shareholding will also influence how easy it is to realise your share in its value.

How is a business valued in a divorce?

Once the business structure has been examined, this will clarify who legally owns business assets and liabilities, and what interest shareholders have if it is a company. It will then be necessary to look at the value of the business in terms of tangible and intangible assets.

The business valuation will usually be based on one or a combination of the following:

  • Business assets – this is typically used in investment businesses where the value is nearly wholly held in the assets of the business itself. Commonly this will be where the business is involved in buying property and letting or renovating it. It could also be used in a farm or manufacturing business where the assets are considerable.
  • Trading pattern – this involves looking at the history of trading profits and estimating the future growth of the business.
  • Business Income – this looks at what income a spouse generates from a business. As well as drawings, it looks at other expenses covered by the business to build up a picture of what the business is worth. This is commonly used in a skill-based business, such as web design, where tangible assets may be few, but the income generated is considerable.

It is normal to instruct an expert, usually an accountant, to value the business. We have a panel of experts and depending on your company structure and needs we will advise you on the most appropriate expert.

How do I protect my business in a divorce?

If possible, we will always look to find a solution that means you can preserve your business. Indeed, courts have shown a willingness to leave business structures unaffected by divorce and enable them to continue as a going concern.

While this means that you are unlikely to have to sell or transfer your business, it may still mean that you have to find money or other assets to provide for your spouse in lieu of their interest in your business. Obtaining early legal advice will give you the best options to protect your business.

My business was established long before I married, will this change how much my spouse is entitled to?

If your business was established before you married, or perhaps even before you met your spouse, then that will be relevant. The court’s aim is to establish a position of equality between spouses in relation to the division of matrimonial assets. Assets acquired prior to marriage are not usually considered to be matrimonial assets. However, in relation to an ongoing business that was acquired prior to marriage, your spouse will be entitled to an interest as the business has continued during the marriage.

How does a freezing order stop my spouse from devaluing assets?

If you are concerned that your spouse is trying to devalue assets, then you may require a freezing order. This is a type of injunction made by a court to prevent your spouse from dealing with their assets. In order to make a freezing order, the court must be satisfied that there is a risk your spouse will dispose of or devalue an asset and that this action would be prejudicial to you in obtaining your fair share in a financial settlement. If you suspect your spouse may do this then it is important that you act quickly as taking preventative action by way of a freezing order is preferable to trying to obtain a remedy following an asset being transferred or depleted.

How Osbornes can help?

When it comes to considering your business during a divorce it is essential that you obtain early expert legal advice. Our expert divorce lawyers in London have experience in representing and advising clients on all aspects of divorce including how best to value and deal with business assets in financial settlements in divorce. We deal with both UK and overseas businesses.

If you are overseas or outside London, we have high-speed video conferencing facilities and a full online service to ensure you are kept up-to-date and fully appraised of your case and legal options.

Find out more about:

Share this article

Contact

Contact us today

For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you

    • [utm_campaign_i][/utm_campaign_i]
      [utm_source_i][/utm_source_i]
      [utm_medium_i][/utm_medium_i]
      [utm_term_i][/utm_term_i]
      [utm_content_i][/utm_content_i]
      [gclid_i][/gclid_i]

    Insights about Divorce Financial SettlementsVIEW ALL

    1. two people walking
      22.3.2023

      Does it matter if you’re a breadwinner...

      When it comes to deciding how wealth is split, English courts do not discriminate based on your role within the...

      Read more
    2. couple holding hands
      16.3.2023

      Are trusts protected from divorce?

      Can trusts protect an inheritance from your spouse? A trust is a separate legal entity. Neither spouse owns its assets. ...

      Read more
    3. man looking out
      16.3.2023

      How is a pension split in a divorce?

      Pensions and Divorce In a divorce, pensions are taken into account together with all other financial assets. Once all assets...

      Read more
    4. Camden house red door
      16.3.2023

      Who gets the house in a divorce?

      How is a house divided in a UK divorce? For most people contemplating divorce, one of the main concerns will...

      Read more
    5. Family divorce and division of propert
      6.10.2022

      How to set aside an order in financial...

      My ex-spouse didn’t tell the truth about their finances when we divorced, can anything be done? Can the financial...

      Read more
    6. pension pot
      30.8.2022

      Pension sharing on divorce

      What is the new procedure for pension sharing? Pensions are one of the biggest assets of a marriage, yet many...

      Read more
    7. woman hand open empty purse
      6.5.2022

      My ex has cut me off during divorce

      Can my spouse cut me off financially? Unfortunately, it is far too common that when a client says it’s...

      Read more
    8. Close up of african american man with calculator
      6.5.2022

      Divorce Loans

      How the Court views loans from parents during divorce A frequent issue in financial divorce cases is a loan from...

      Read more
    9. mesher order house
      5.5.2022

      Mesher Orders Explained

      What is a Mesher order? A Mesher Order allows the sale of the family home to be postponed in a...

      Read more
    10. husband signing decree of divorce
      11.4.2022

      Private Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) for Divorce

      Private FDR helps divorcing couples reach a financial settlement Our specialist divorce lawyers are keen to ensure our divorcing clients...

      Read more
    11. 9.12.2021

      Negotiating financial settlements in divorce

      Costly and acrimonious divorces: a lesson in what not to do  If you’re determined to pursue your financial claims...

      Read more
    12. squirrel hiding assets
      16.11.2021

      Uncovering hidden assets in your divorce

      Hiding Assets During a Divorce As part of your divorce, you and your ex will have to agree on how...

      Read more
    13. 9.11.2021

      Case Law Divorce Settlement

      6 cases that shape your divorce settlement Part of what makes our divorce lawyers experts in their field is knowing what...

      Read more
    14. separate paths in the snow
      10.9.2021

      Does Divorce Revoke A Will?

      Divorce and Wills In the midst of a divorce or separation, it’s rare for couples to think about making...

      Read more
    15. court of appeal
      10.8.2021

      Beneficial Interest in Property

      Andrew Watson, a London-based divorce lawyer in our family department and Resolution accredited cohabitation lawyer, summarises the law in relation...

      Read more
    16. 27.4.2021

      Divorce in your 60s – The Financial Implications

      How common is a divorce in your 60s? The latest divorce figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show...

      Read more
    17. 18.2.2021

      Tax and Divorce

      Tax implications for divorcing couples As the end of the Stamp Duty holiday looms on 31 March 2021, that is not the...

      Read more
    18. father with child
      6.4.2020

      Setting aside a financial remedy order

      What has been the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on financial remedy orders? Can you do it at all? Barder...

      Read more
    19. man and women at a table
      4.9.2019

      Calderbank Offers

      The Resurrection of Calderbank Offers When a couple divorces, they are encouraged by the Courts to consider other dispute resolution...

      Read more
    20. divorced man with empty wallet
      13.8.2019

      Bankruptcy and Divorce

      Will my spouse declaring bankruptcy affect my divorce settlement? The case of Hayes v Hayes (2012) EWHC (Ch) (Chancery Division (23.03.12) (unreported...

      Read more
    21. 25.3.2019

      Self-Help in Financial Remedy Proceedings

      One of the first things we explain to clients who are getting divorced is that, when it comes to financial...

      Read more
    22. 25.3.2019

      Effect of Delay on Financial Relief Claims: Vince...

      Wyatt v Vince This unusual case demonstrates the risks of failing to bring a financial claim on divorce promptly, or,...

      Read more
    23. 17.7.2018

      Supreme Court Hands Down Judgement in Mills v...

      The Supreme Court today handed down judgement in the case of Mills v Mills, setting aside the order made by...

      Read more

    VIEW ALL