Ex-Wife To Receive £2 Million

A leading family lawyer has suggested that the story of the lottery winner who has to pay £2 million to his ex-wife a decade after their relationship ended highlights the importance of the small print in divorce agreements.

The Sun reports that Nigel Page won £56 million in the Euromillions lottery earlier this year, but his ex-wife Wendy made a claim that she was entitled to £8 million of his winnings.

However, the pair are believed to have settled on a figure £2 million, despite Mr Page originally offering £1 million.

According to Martin Loxley, of Irwin Mitchell’s Family Law team, the story shows how couples in the process of separation should carefully consider all of their options as they seek to bring their marriage to an end.

He said: “This is a clear example of the need for anyone who agrees a financial settlement to include a clause which restricts future claims.

“A clean break clause would have prevented this wife from being able to make this claim – so many years after the divorce.

“While it is an emotional time when a couple are divorced, this should not stop the couple making proper financial provision for their future.”

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of divorces in England and Wales stood at 121,779 in 2008.