Should divorce payouts be so high?

[AB Asks]

A woman has had it confirmed today that she is to receive �48 million after a divorce battle. Some experts fear that Britain's high divorce payouts could lead to "divorce tourism" by ex-wives seeking bumper payouts. The couple in question married in 1976 and have two grown-up sons. Do you think that divorce payouts should be so high? Or should there be a limit on the payments?

[pixie_woo]

I think it depends on whether/how much help the partner has been in amassing the fortune. I think a couple that have together for 30 years should split the money more equally than a couple that have been together for 30 months.

[eyeshade]

The amount of money is totally gross but I agree with the above, the wife has helped him make that fortune and been a half share in the partnership so she is entitled to it, lets hope she uses it wisely!

[flip_flop]

How do you work that out? How did she help him make that amount of money? Was she involved in the day to day processes of his business decisions?

She supported him, looked after their kids and gave him a, I suspect, happy and satisfying home life, and for that she should be applauded and rewarded.

But she was not a integral part of the money making process - that was down to him.

[Scylax]

I think that a wife should receive 1% of her
husband's wealth for every year of their marriage.
And vice versa if the wife is the wealthier .

[Memore]

in response to flip flop if the wife wasnt being supportive etc and looking after the kids etc the man wouldnt have been able to go out and get a successful business - she is entitled to half if she was there from the beginning as in this case. Behind every successful man there is a strong woman! and no I am not a feminist but each case should be on merit and length of marriage etc

[flip_flop]

I largely agree - but she did not help him make the money, he did so through his own expertise and business nous. He'd've made the money with or without her. I have no problem with her getting 50% of his money (although she is a greedy cow - �20m in the bank plus a �2.75m fully paid house would've given her �500k a year in interest alone), but she shouldn't be credited with 'helping' him make his fortune - because she did not.

[Memore]

how do you know? He must have talked things through with her which would have assisted his decisions? I know what you are saying but people have to be in the right frame of mind etc to be successful and motivated and his wife must have aided that for a while anyway obviously not towards the end as they divorced now!