‘Settle for the sake of your children’

BBC Two recently ran a programme, ‘Millionaire Ex-Wives Club’, which focussed on the messy divorces of two high profile women, including Lisa Tchenguiz, who was previously married to Vivien Imerman, also referred to as ‘The Man from Del Monte’ after he sold a massive stake in the juice firm.

The divorce was bitter and Lisa readily admits that the acrimony rose to a new level after an expensive custom built car she thought she was going to get was collected from the showroom by her husband. Lisa sought £120 million by way of settlement but eventually settled for £15 million. Her overriding message to viewers was ‘settle for the sake of your children’. The big question is of course, how to do that. One of the best ways is through mediation.

Mediation allows the parties to meet with an independent mediator to discuss the issues between them, review the assets and their needs and desires and discuss settlement options. A financial settlement reached through mediation can be endorsed by the court to become a binding court order. Mediation is suitable for parties at all financial levels.

Nicola Furmston is a solicitor and head of the Family team at Barker Gotelee.

Family Solicitors in Ipswich – for more information on our range of legal services, please call the team on 01473 611211 or email [email protected]