Any divorce lawyers on here?

[Lawbags]

As title.

Currently going through a divorce and have spoken to 2 seperate lawyers, who both have offered different advice.
Namely, surrounding the engagement ring and when my savings become 'marital' and therefore she can have access.

Edited by Lawbags on Saturday 27th August 08:51

[Lawbags]

No children, married 5 years and cohabiting 7.

[Lawbags]

GT03ROB said:

As a basic rule what yours personally became marital assets the day you married. The concept of yours & hers disappeared the day you said "I do".

In that case, is the ring included in that asset 'pot'?
I'm not fussed about it's return, but it has significant monetary value.

[Lawbags]

PurpleMoonlight said:

Hmmmm, borderline short marriage.

One lawyer would argue only 5 years, each take back the value of what they brought to the marriage and divide equally any surplus.

Other will argue 7 year relationship so everything 50:50.

Special circumstances can affect division, eg very rich or one spouse totally financially supporting the other.

Engagement/wedding rings tend to be excluded as gifts unless exceptional value.

I didn't support her as such, but did pay around 70% of monthly bills, as well as constantly saving. Which she did none. Wages were pretty similar, give or take a grand or 2.

Where does exceptional valve start? Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands?