In this article Hayley Dent talks about testamentary freedom and the opposing law which allows claims for those who aren’t included in a will. Hayley also touch...
Arbitration is steadily becoming an attractive option for couples aiming to resolve their financial situation on divorce. Since the start of the pandemic in Mar...
Stephanie Walker from our dispute resolution department addresses cohabitation and engagement by responding to a Q&A about how property ownership can be affecte...
The past 12 months have certainly been turbulent for the UK and the rest of the world. A nation negotiating the bumpy road out of a 47 year-long relationship wi...
Two teenage brothers have been granted a share of their father’s estate even though they were estranged from him and had been excluded from his will. Rebecca A...
A company has been granted permission to search an employee’s personal computer and other devices as part of its investigation into the potential misuse of conf...
If you have seen the news lately you might have heard about the impending divorce of Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, after 27 years of marriage.
Reports suggest that Melinda has been preparing for divorce from the tech giant for several years, following revelations that Bill had meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The divorce marks the start of one of the largest financial settlements in history, with their combined net worth said to be in excess of $130 billion. Matrimonial assets include several properties, not least their $125 million compound nicknamed Xanadu, a 6 bedroom mansion at an exclusive members only gold club in California, as well as a 4.5 acre ranch in Florida. They certainly won’t be struggling to agree who gets to stay in the house!
The couple have two daughters, aged 25 and 18, and a son aged 21. Bill has spoken openly about his intention to give his children only a minuscule portion of his wealth in a bid to help them find their own way in life. Each child is expected to receive $10 million inheritance each.
Interestingly and quite unusually for an American marriage, the parties did not enter into a prenuptial agreement before they said their vows. The parties met in 1987 whilst Melinda was working at Microsoft, the company Bill founded. That very same year Bill Gates became the youngest billionaire at the age of 31. It seems likely that his lawyers will have advised him to enter into a prenuptial agreement, given the wealth he had already amassed.
This separation highlights the growing trend of later life separation. The press have coined the term ‘silver splitters’ due to rising UK divorce rates among the over 65s. Children going off to college, ‘Baby boomers’ and an increasing life expectancy are said to be to blame. Life expectancy continues to extend well into the 80s meaning if you retire in your mid-60s, it is likely you still have many years left to enjoy and may not wish that to be with your significant other.
Get the lowdown on the high-profile couple here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-56975466
How might a professional help?
Despite the Gates’s immense wealth, the divorce process remains the same. Obtaining legal advice at an early stage can ultimately save you lots of money even if you are not in the same income bracket as Bill and Melinda Gates. As the fourth richest person in the world, Bill Gates will not be getting an online divorce, but neither should you.
Our team of highly experienced professionals are dedicated to advising both married and unmarried couples who are separating or having issues with arrangements for children. We can advise you of your rights and offer a gentle approach to what is probably the most stressful thing you will have to deal with. We can even offer advice to couples who are buying property together and wish to make it clear from the outset how they will divide their finances, should the worst happen.
Contact us for more information on divorce, separation, child arrangements, declarations of trust and more.
The content of this post does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon. The content is subject to change and we accept no liability for individuals relying on the information within this article.
Whether you are in the early stages and just seeking information or you have been considering adoption for a while, joining us at one of our online information...
Caritas Care
Attending a Fostering information event is a great place to start if you want to learn about the process of becoming a foster carer.We understand that making th...
Caritas Care
Whether you are in the early stages and just seeking information or you have been considering adoption for a while, joining us at one of our online information...
Caritas Care
OverviewWelcome to the UK Public Sector Sales H2 Kick Off!Join us for an exclusive event designed to empower business owners and salespeople with the knowledge...
GB Shared
This Cyber Resilience workshop aims to cover three simple concepts: Defend. Innovate. Grow.We encourage a secure by design philosophy, and we work with business...
Cyber Foundry - Lancaster University
A host of lovely events from Booths at various Booths shops across the North West.
Trybooking.com