Divorces can be messy and at times traumatic. They can also be insanely expensive, especially when you happen to filthy rich.
For one, lawyer fees can be a straight pain in the butt and then comes the maintenance fees – meaning whatever you’ve earned, or are earning, a significant portion has to go to your ex-spouse.
There’s also the unenviable task of dividing the belongings and sharing custody.
Ant McPartlin, who recently announced that he and his wife of 11 years Lisa Armstrong will be separating, has found an ingenious way of keeping his £130 million fortune.
According to The Sun the Geordie celebrity’s lawyers have found a ‘genius clause’ which will prevent him from handing over half his fortune and future earnings to his estranged wife.
The clause in question is said to apply to a divorcee who has contributed more to the marriage in terms of wealth.
The Daily Star says this means that Armstrong could only be getting only 37-40 per cent of McPartlin’s estimated £62 million fortune, approximately around £25 million, instead of half and plus a portion of any future earnings – an estimated £155 million.
Speaking to The Daily Star, their family lawyer Benjamin Stowe explained:
To argue stellar contribution you need to be more than good and more than great.
The word genius comes to mind.
News of their divorce first broke last December, after one source told The Sun:
[Lisa] has told several friends the marriage is over.
Ant’s rented flat was meant to be a temporary arrangement but there are no signs of him moving. It’s becoming harder to see a way back.
He knows they need heart-to-heart talks but since he’s returned from the jungle they just haven’t happened and what’s more, it doesn’t look likely to any time soon.
Last January their divorce was made official and a source close to the couple told The Sunday Mirror:
Ant has had a dreadful year, but Lisa has gone through hell too. The intense pressure of the situation left her emotionally drained and was really taking its toll.
Back in October she was terribly stressed and worried and seemed to be carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. It was clear to those close to her she was brokenhearted.
But it’s obvious she’s been so much happier since they’ve been living apart – especially when he flew to Australia to film I’m A Celebrity.
Last year the I’m A Celebrity host had checked himself into rehab to battle his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He was able to make a full recovery just in time for latest series of the popular ITV reality show.
Last month a spokesman for Ant revealed to The Sun that he and Lisa were getting divorced, the press statement read:
In response to the recent speculation in the media, Ant is very sad to announce that, after 11 years, he is ending his marriage to Lisa McPartlin.
Ant asks for privacy at this difficult time, for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families. No further statement will be made.
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As part of the divorce proceeding Ant and Lisa will have to contend for/share custody of the family dog Hurley who is an important fixture in both their lives.
