Page 3 | What % would I be entitled to after a short marriage?

Llush · 2025-08-09T15:20:42+00:00

I have been married for under 2 years but was in a relationship the 2 years prior, so 3.5 years altogether. I have 2 children, aged 6 & 8, but no joint children. I am a full time stay at home mother and am dependent on his salary. His family pay the school fees. We live in his house, but it's is held in family trust.

doglover90 · 09/08/2025 17:47

Glowingup · 09/08/2025 17:36

That’s what some law reformers have described it as, yes 😂. But I’m not lying. This is a case from the highest court in this country:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_v_Miller

Obviously it will depend on what the assets actually are but with the mention of trusts and school fees, I get the sense this is a high net worth family and the husband may have considerable wealth even if some of it is tied up in family trusts. OP needs legal advice but generally if you marry someone rich, you will get something even if the marriage was short. Moral or not.

Show quote history

Yes but this seems to suggest that it's not as simple as that: https://www.33bedfordrow.co.uk/insights/articles/financial-remedies-short-marriage

'The shorter the length of the marriage – the more difficult it will become to share assets, both non-matrimonial or matrimonial.'

Financial Remedies - Short Marriage

What is a “short” marriage? 1. Sometimes a client will say in conference “my marriage is not a long one – surely I don’t need to share everything, do I”?

https://www.33bedfordrow.co.uk/insights/articles/financial-remedies-short-marriage

LizzyTango · 09/08/2025 17:51

Glowingup · 09/08/2025 17:05

You need to seek legal advice. But those saying you are entitled to nothing are wrong.

Pre-marital assets are treated as non-matrimonial and usually not divided on divorce. Matrimonial assets are anything acquired or built up during the marriage, such as an increase in value of pre existing assets.

I am guessing he’s ultra wealthy due to the generosity with the school fees. The court can (but won’t necessarily do so) order him to continue as the children, albeit his step children, are children of the family and their welfare takes priority. Obviously here the grandparents are paying so if he doesn’t on paper have the funds to do so, it’s more difficult.

But if he’s very wealthy, it being a short marriage doesn’t mean you get nothing. Your needs are a key factor in any settlement. You’re not going to get maintenance for life and three properties but depending on the assets you might get a deposit for a suitable property.

Google Melissa Miller and her short marriage - she got £5 million after 2 years marriage with no children. Heather Mills who did have one child but who was married under 4 years got £25 million from Paul McCartney. English courts are pretty generous in high net worth cases.

But do get advice.

This person knows what she's talking about. No one who posted before her has a clue - don't listen to them or their judgements.

hopspot · 09/08/2025 17:51

I remember your previous thread op, about the kitchen renovations that you want him to pay for.

Glowingup · 09/08/2025 17:53

doglover90 · 09/08/2025 17:47

Yes but this seems to suggest that it's not as simple as that: https://www.33bedfordrow.co.uk/insights/articles/financial-remedies-short-marriage

'The shorter the length of the marriage – the more difficult it will become to share assets, both non-matrimonial or matrimonial.'

Show quote history

Im a qualified lawyer with expertise in this specific area so yes I know it’s not as straightforward as that which is why the OP needs legal advice. The case you’re quoting from actually involved the wife getting financial provision. I was just contradicting the many people on here saying she will definitely get nothing.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 09/08/2025 18:00

Glowingup · 09/08/2025 17:36

That’s what some law reformers have described it as, yes 😂. But I’m not lying. This is a case from the highest court in this country:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_v_Miller

Obviously it will depend on what the assets actually are but with the mention of trusts and school fees, I get the sense this is a high net worth family and the husband may have considerable wealth even if some of it is tied up in family trusts. OP needs legal advice but generally if you marry someone rich, you will get something even if the marriage was short. Moral or not.

Show quote history

Thanks. Not disputing what you say, but that's shocking.

I guess the moral of the story is that rich people are probably best off not getting married!

Soontobe60 · 09/08/2025 18:02

Llush · 09/08/2025 16:49

It was set up by his grandfather. Mine aren't the only stepchildren to benefit like this.

Show quote history

I should imagine that if his GF is responsible for paying school fees, he will have to continue paying them once notice has been given to move schools until the notice period ends.

Soontobe60 · 09/08/2025 18:06

Llush · 09/08/2025 17:09

I was looking after him, doing the housework, making sure he had everthing.

Show quote history

Grown men don’t need women to ‘look after’ them.
What did you do before you married him?

Glowingup · 09/08/2025 18:09

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 09/08/2025 18:00

Thanks. Not disputing what you say, but that's shocking.

I guess the moral of the story is that rich people are probably best off not getting married!

Show quote history

Yup. Or don’t marry a single mum who doesn’t work, take on liability for her kids and accept her being a stay at home housewife. He has brought this on himself to a large extent.

OhHellolittleone · 09/08/2025 18:15

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/08/2025 17:10

And when other people with step-kids break up, does the trust keep paying the fees? I can’t imagine why.

You’ve asked what is a legal question. Morally though, why would you think you have a right to take things you didn’t earn? Most SAHM/married people are talking about joint children where the mum is taking a hit do the dad supports everyone. In this case you’ve been supplied free housing, free schooling, free everything, for your children. And now you want what? Some of his house? Alimony? No.

Unless he’s abusive, then maybe morally it’s a little bit different.

Show quote history

I mean morally I don’t agree with trusts as it’s a way to avoid tax. I’d take what I could for the benefit of my children, no need for a high
horse

Poopeepoopee · 09/08/2025 18:21

Glowingup · 09/08/2025 18:09

Yup. Or don’t marry a single mum who doesn’t work, take on liability for her kids and accept her being a stay at home housewife. He has brought this on himself to a large extent.

Show quote history

Or

marry someone in the same price bracket at you. Don't choose a wife coz she's pretty with a nice pair of tits.

SunshineAndFizz · 09/08/2025 18:21

If your kids are at school you can get a job?

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 09/08/2025 18:22

OhHellolittleone · 09/08/2025 18:15

I mean morally I don’t agree with trusts as it’s a way to avoid tax. I’d take what I could for the benefit of my children, no need for a high
horse

Show quote history

Trusts are morally wrong, but having unrelated people finance your kids from someone else is fine, all the while contributing nothing yourself.

Brawsome · 09/08/2025 18:24

People are being really horrible here.
Anyone thought to ask the reason for the split? Perhaps he is a monster and OP deserves her freedom.

harriethoyle · 09/08/2025 18:24

Llush · 09/08/2025 17:09

I was looking after him, doing the housework, making sure he had everthing.

Show quote history

So you expect a percentage of his assets for making his packed lunch and, otherwise, doing any housework you would have done as a single parent, whilst working and he’s been subsidising you for years?!

Good luck…

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 09/08/2025 18:27

Brawsome · 09/08/2025 18:24

People are being really horrible here.
Anyone thought to ask the reason for the split? Perhaps he is a monster and OP deserves her freedom.

Doesn’t mean she should get more money financially

ARichtGoodDram · 09/08/2025 18:30

Brawsome · 09/08/2025 18:24

People are being really horrible here.
Anyone thought to ask the reason for the split? Perhaps he is a monster and OP deserves her freedom.

That will make zero impact on the OP's legal position though.

beetr00 · 09/08/2025 18:32

As a couple of others have suggested you must take legal advice.

The judgemental and derogatory remarks from some, who have zero idea of your actual circumstances do not reflect your legal rights @Llush

oviraptor21 · 09/08/2025 18:34

So many posters deriding the SAHM. Perhaps it was his choice as well as hers that she didnt work. Perhaps that's one of the reasons that she wants out. Let's not jump to assume anything.

Anyway @Glowingup is one of the few people talking sense on this thread. Sounds like a relatively high net worth husband so OP will not walk away with nothing as some would like.

cestlavielife · 09/08/2025 18:35

Llush · 09/08/2025 17:09

I was looking after him, doing the housework, making sure he had everthing.

Show quote history

With trust funds etc why no housekeeper? Or was that the deal? Become my live in housekeeper ?
Dud it sour or is he abusive?

TeamBuffalo · 09/08/2025 18:48

Llush · 09/08/2025 17:09

I was looking after him, doing the housework, making sure he had everthing.

Show quote history

Did you give up a high paying job, with prospects, in order to do this?

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 09/08/2025 18:50

I wish posters would be less harsh on threads like these. I’m so curious about the OP and her setup. How things have landed this way for her. It’s a million miles away from my life and the lives of those around me and would love to know more.

How did you end up in this position OP? What is your history? Have you ever worked? Why is this marriage breaking down after such generosity towards you until now? Forgetting about a court of law your husband and his family may be willing to help you and your children out to get you on your way.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 09/08/2025 18:51

Llush · 09/08/2025 17:09

I was looking after him, doing the housework, making sure he had everthing.

Show quote history

A SAHM to 2 school aged kids who weren't his? Righto. You saw him coming didn't you 😅

TalulaHalulah · 09/08/2025 18:52

ARichtGoodDram · 09/08/2025 16:24

In Scotland you'd be expected to go back to where you both were pre marriage, so you'd be entitled to nothing really, especially as he doesn't actually own the house.

I can't see England being that much different.

Was any agreement made pre marriage about "what if?" ?

That is not true about Scotland. You are entitled to half of what has accrued during the marriage. So if there has been say 10k saved between you, 5k of that is yours. You take your assets (minus debts) accrued from the start of the marriage to the date of separation, and then split it. You don’t have any right to assets pre-dating the marriage.
No idea how it works in England.

disappointedconfused · 09/08/2025 19:03

Are you sure you want to divorce?? Sounds like you have a great set up there…..that predominately benefits you and your children

unless the poor sap has realised what a mug he’s been

Cucy · 09/08/2025 19:15

Llush · 09/08/2025 17:09

I was looking after him, doing the housework, making sure he had everthing.

Show quote history

Are you his carer?
Does he have a disability or long term illness?

What will this look like once you separate?
Are you planning on continuing to be his carer or cut all contact?