July 9, 2025
You might have seen news this week about a high-profile divorce case, Standish v Standish, which was decided by the Supreme Court on 2 July 2025. On the face of it, the figures involved – £80 million – sound completely out of reach for most people. But the ruling has real-life implications for many couples, especially when it comes to money, gifts, and how assets are treated in divorce.
Here at Bates Wells, our Ipswich solicitors deal with these kinds of questions regularly – just on a more modest scale.
So, what was the case about?
In 2017, Mr Standish transferred £80 million to his wife, Mrs Standish. She’s Australian and has non-domiciled tax status, which meant the transfer was a clever way to reduce inheritance tax on money Mr Standish hoped would eventually go to his children.
Fast forward to the divorce, and Mrs Standish argued that the money had been a personal gift to her – and so it should be split under the usual sharing principle that applies in most divorce cases.
But the court said no. They ruled that the money had been transferred with the intention of benefiting Mr Standish’s children, not his wife, so it was classed as non-matrimonial property – meaning she wasn’t automatically entitled to a share.
Why does this matter to the rest of us?
While most of us aren’t dealing with millions, the case highlights a simple point: when large sums of money change hands within a marriage – whether from one spouse to the other, or from parents to children – it really helps if the intention is clear and properly recorded.
It also reinforces how important prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can be, especially when there are savings, inheritances, or family-owned assets involved. These agreements aren’t just for the super-rich – they can be very useful in helping protect what matters most to you.
Need advice? Our solicitors are here to help
Whether you’re making financial plans with your partner or going through a separation, our family solicitors in Ipswich can help you understand your rights and put the right protections in place.
Get in touch with the team at Bates Wells to find out how we can support you – whatever stage of life you’re at.