Protecting Pre-Marital Assets During Divorce: A Financial Settlement Case Story

Overview

When a marriage ends, concerns about property, investments and other assets can be overwhelming, particularly where substantial wealth has been built up over many years. This case study looks at how Bridger’s Law supported a client through complex financial remedy proceedings, helping them safeguard assets acquired before marriage, and achieve a positive financial settlement.

When Bridger’s Law Became Involved

Gordon Johnson, family law solicitor at Bridger’s Law, was instructed by our client in November 2024 in connection with their divorce and associated financial proceedings. We represented the Respondent in the divorce application, and Gordon was asked to file a response on their behalf and to represent them throughout the financial remedy proceedings that followed.

During our initial discussions, it became clear that our client’s financial position was substantial and included several properties. Some of these were matrimonial assets, while others had been acquired before the marriage began.

How We Supported Our Client

The spouse’s position was that all of the properties should be treated as matrimonial assets, despite some having been acquired before the marriage. Given that the marriage had lasted approximately 20 years, our task was to build a strong case to preserve as many of the non-matrimonial properties as possible for our client.

Before financial proceedings could get fully underway, several preliminary matters needed to be dealt with. We arranged for the joint tenancies on the relevant properties to be severed, and ensured our client had an up-to-date Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney in place – steps that are easily overlooked but are important for protecting our client’s position during divorce.

We then proceeded with financial disclosure by way of Form E, a process that took considerable time given the scale and complexity of the assets involved.

The Challenges

The scale of our client’s assets meant that financial disclosure was a lengthy and detailed process. Without prejudice correspondence with the other side did not resolve matters, and an application for Financial Remedy was subsequently issued on behalf of our client’s spouse.

The other party was represented by a larger legal team, but our client benefited from having one dedicated solicitor, Gordon Johnson, managing the matter from start to finish. This provided continuity, clear communication and a consistent strategy throughout the proceedings

Our Approach

Despite this imbalance, we agreed a streamlined court timetable, which avoided the need for a First Directions Appointment and helped the case progress more efficiently. The matter progressed towards a Financial Dispute Resolution hearing, where we intended to seek the court’s indication on the appropriate settlement.

A significant development came in July 2025, when judgment was handed down in the case of Standish v Standish, confirming that assets acquired before a marriage could, in appropriate circumstances, be protected from division as part of a financial settlement. This was a pivotal moment for our client’s case, and Gordon used it to strengthen his position considerably. He held two conferences with counsel to explore these issues in detail and ensure our strategy was robust.

As proceedings progressed and the legal position became clearer, our client’s position strengthened, creating the opportunity for productive settlement discussions. During the proceedings, our client agreed to provide funding towards his spouses’ legal costs to ensure that the matter could continue to progress, with those funds to be repaid from their share of the eventual settlement.

Understanding Our Client’s Priorities

Our client’s greatest concern throughout the case was that he might lose properties and assets he had acquired long before the marriage. By building a case around the developing law on pre-acquired assets, and ultimately relying on the Standish v Standish decision, we were able to directly address this concern and protect the great majority of his non-matrimonial wealth.

We kept our client informed throughout, providing clear advice at every stage and ensuring they understood both the legal process and the options available tothem. This helped reduce uncertainty and ensured he felt supported throughout the process. 

The Outcome

The case concluded with a settlement that successfully protected the great majority of our client’s pre-marital assets, providing clarity and financial security for the future. It also demonstrated the strength of the legal arguments made and the thorough preparation carried out by our team.

What Our Client Says

“I can’t thank Gordon and his team at Bridger’s Law enough for all their help to successfully navigate the maze of processes involved in my divorce. He challenged claims and helped me come through the situation in the best possible state, even better than I thought possible.”

– Client review, Google

Speak to Our Family Law Team

No two divorces are the same. Our role is always to provide clear, practical advice that reflects each client’s individual circumstances and long-term goals.

If you are concerned about protecting assets during divorce proceedings, our experienced Family Law team is here to help. Get in touch to discuss your circumstances and receive clear, practical advice tailored to your situation.