Divorce and Taxes

[NonDom41]

A man has lived with his (female) partner for about thirty years in the same household (not married, so-called cohabition). He was self employed all the time and has retired now. She was (and still is) employed by different employers the same period of time and earned her own money.

Let's say this couple decides to marry now. What will happen if the wife divorces the man after this marriage ?

a) Will she be entitled to a share of the man's assets he has accumulated during his life (while they were not married) or
b) is she entitled only to a part of his earnings and assets that he has received or created after the marriage ?

In case a) applies, is her share taxable ?

[bd6759]

In response to the tax question - no.

The other questions are legal ones.

[AGoodman]

or (c) is he entitled to part of her assets [you haven't said which is the wealthier party]

These are all questions for a divorce lawyer - BUT the length of the relationship is a factor so it would not be treated the same as people who married and divorced within a year of meeting.