Aristocrat challenges ‘divorce tourism’ verdict

An aristocrat is to appeal to the Supreme Court after losing a legal battle to stop his former spouse claiming monthly maintenance payments in the English courts following their divorce in Scotland. Charles Villiers, 55, said the decision would result in “a surge of divorcees swiftly relocating south of the border in a bid to cash in.” Although Mr Villiers filed for divorce in Scotland in 2014, three months later Mrs Villiers applied to the English courts for financial maintenance. It is the first reported cross-border case under an EU Maintenance Regulation, which treats Scotland and England as separate states, allowing either party to claim maintenance in a country of their choosing provided they lived there.

The Sunday Telegraph, Page: 7

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In 2023 there were 122 contested probate cases, up from 116 cases in 2022, according to the Ministry of Justice Family Court Statistics.

Philip Collins, Partner at Winckworth Sherwood, said that it “isn’t at all surprising” that there has been a rise in contested probate claims. He said: “We know that significant amounts of wealth, often tied up in property, is currently being passed down to younger generations. Inherited wealth is becoming increasingly important and can often […]