The latest Sunday Times Rich List 2026 coverage reflects an increasingly important issue for internationally connected families: not mobility itself, but how wealth, residence and long-term financial exposure are being structured across jurisdictions.
For many high-net-worth individuals, international living has long been part of modern private wealth planning. Multiple residences, offshore structures, international business interests and cross-border family arrangements are often already established well before any marital difficulties arise.
However, the level of scrutiny around jurisdiction, tax residence, disclosure and wealth exposure is increasing when relationships break down. Importantly, for international family lawyers, this is not simply a tax or relocation story. It is increasingly a divorce and financial remedy story.
Clients are asking:
- Which jurisdiction is likely to deal with the divorce?
- How exposed are offshore or international assets?
- How will trusts, companies and inherited wealth be treated?
- Does relocation materially change financial exposure?
- Can international wealth structures realistically be protected?
- Which court is ultimately likely to exercise jurisdiction?
For internationally connected families, the strategic landscape is becoming more complex, particularly where England and Wales remains part of the picture.
Why wealth migration matters in international divorce
England and Wales remains one of the most influential jurisdictions in the world for high-net-worth financial remedy claims. The English court has a long-established reputation for dealing carefully with:
- offshore wealth
- trusts and foundations
- complex business structures
- international disclosure
- hidden assets
- cross-border enforcement
- sophisticated financial arrangements
At the same time, many internationally connected families are reviewing where wealth is held, how structures are organised and which jurisdictions create the greatest long-term certainty.
The destinations referenced in the Rich List coverage, including Monaco, Dubai, Switzerland, Italy and the Channel Islands, are not new to private wealth planning. However, where divorce arises, those structures and jurisdictions may suddenly become highly relevant in legal proceedings.
As a result, the dispute quickly becomes international in many cases.
Jurisdiction is often the first major battleground
In international divorce proceedings, jurisdiction is often the most strategically important issue at the outset. One spouse may argue that England and Wales remains the correct forum because:
- the marriage was centred here
- business interests remain here
- property remains here
- children remain here
- financial connections remain here
Meanwhile, the other spouse may argue that another jurisdiction should deal with the divorce because they have relocated or changed residence. The English court will usually examine factors including:
- habitual residence
- domicile
- timing of relocation
- tax residence
- location of assets
- business interests
- children’s arrangements
- competing overseas proceedings
The English courts also scrutinise a relocation that takes place shortly before separation.
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Relocation does not necessarily remove English court exposure
A common misconception is that relocating abroad automatically removes exposure to the English court. In practice, that assumption is often wrong.
England and Wales may still remain highly relevant where there are ongoing connections such as:
- UK property
- business interests
- family trusts
- children educated in England
- long-term English residence
- continuing financial connections to England and Wales
Even where divorce proceedings take place overseas, a spouse may still pursue financial claims in England under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984. That can become particularly important where an overseas financial outcome appears inadequate by English standards.
Tax planning and divorce exposure are different issues
A tax-efficient structure does not necessarily create a divorce-efficient outcome. The English court focuses on economic reality rather than labels alone. In financial remedy proceedings, the court may examine:
- offshore companies
- family investment vehicles
- trusts and foundations
- nominee arrangements
- carried interest structures
- international banking arrangements
- inter-family transfers
- diverted income streams
- crypto-assets
However, offshore structures do not automatically prevent scrutiny by the English court.
Read more: Weekly Family Law Update: Marriage Validity, MPS/LSPO and Non-Disclosure.
Disclosure becomes even more important in international cases
Disclosure is often the central battleground in high-net-worth international divorce proceedings. The court may require extensive disclosure relating to:
- offshore accounts
- international property portfolios
- trusts
- company structures
- private investment arrangements
- tax advice
- family office structures
- relocation planning
- international investments
If a party gives incomplete disclosure, the court may draw adverse inferences. Equally, this issue becomes particularly important where one spouse believes the other party moved, restructured or obscured wealth before separation.
Read more: Clean-break-order-trap-how-a-34-million-gift-reopened-a-final-divorce-deal
Lifestyle evidence can become highly relevant
In high-net-worth divorce cases, lifestyle evidence is often more than background detail. The court may consider evidence relating to:
- multiple residences
- private education
- international travel
- staffing arrangements
- yachts
- luxury spending
- club memberships
- private banking support
- family office involvement
Lifestyle evidence often helps the court assess:
- access to resources
- credibility of disclosure
- standard of living
- the reality of financial control
The “left-behind spouse” and offshore wealth concerns
International divorce cases often create a significant information imbalance between spouses. The relocating spouse may already have access to:
- accountants
- offshore advisers
- tax planners
- corporate structures
- international banking arrangements
The remaining spouse may still be trying to understand where assets are held and how structures operate. As a result, early strategic advice often becomes critical.
Key questions often include:
- Has residence genuinely changed?
- Were assets moved before separation?
- Has income been diverted offshore?
- Are trusts being used to obscure ownership?
- Is urgent protective relief required?
- Should proceedings begin quickly in England?
In practice, delay can create significant tactical disadvantages.
What the English court focuses on in international financial remedy claims
The English court will usually focus on several core issues.
Full and frank disclosure
The court expects proper disclosure regardless of where assets are held.
Fairness
The court examines needs, sharing and compensation carefully.
Economic reality
Importantly, the court will often look beyond formal ownership structures and examine practical control of wealth.
Children’s welfare
Where children are involved, welfare and stability remain central considerations.
Enforceability
The court may consider whether financial orders can realistically be enforced internationally.
Why England and Wales remains important in international family law
Despite increasing international wealth structuring, England and Wales remains one of the most significant jurisdictions for complex financial remedy disputes. In particular, the courts here are recognised for:
- robust disclosure obligations
- sophisticated treatment of trusts and companies
- scrutiny of offshore arrangements
- detailed financial analysis
- international enforcement mechanisms
- careful consideration of fairness
Therefore, for many internationally connected families, England may still remain the most influential forum in any divorce dispute.
Read more: Frank Arndt Featured in Leading German Financial Publication.
Practical steps for internationally connected families
Where divorce may be approaching and international structures are involved, early strategic advice is critical. Practical early steps often include:
- Identifying all relevant jurisdictions
- Reviewing trusts and company structures
- Securing key financial documentation
- Assessing jurisdiction exposure
- Considering urgent protective applications
- Obtaining coordinated tax and family law advice
- Preparing a clear forum strategy
- Assessing likely disclosure obligations
- Considering ADR, private FDR or arbitration
- Focusing early on enforceability and asset tracing
Frank Arndt, Senior Partner at Paradigm Family Law, says:
“In many modern international divorce cases, the key issue is not simply where wealth is held, but who ultimately controls it, which jurisdiction has authority over it and how financial outcomes can realistically be enforced across borders.”
How Paradigm Family Law LLP can help
Paradigm Family Law advises on complex international divorce, high-net-worth financial remedy claims, jurisdiction disputes and cross-border asset structures across England and Wales.
Frank Arndt is dual-qualified as a Solicitor in England & Wales and as a German Judge & Rechtsanwalt, with extensive experience handling international family law matters involving offshore wealth, trusts, business assets and multi-jurisdictional issues.
Where wealth, residence and family life cross borders, early strategic advice becomes particularly important.
For a confidential discussion, contact Paradigm Family Law on 01904 217225.
Additional Reading
Moving Abroad as an Expat Family: Why Legal Planning Matters Before You Go
International Child Maintenance. The Düsseldorfer Tabelle 2026 Explained
