Separated but cant trace ex

tealady

Hi
I left my ex years ago (think last century). Have made a new life. No kids.
Can they claim any assets I have acquired since I left (pensions, legacy and a house)
Gave up all rights to matrimonial home when I left. Have no idea where they are now (very common name and cant remember any details about their birth/employment).
Have made a will specifying where my stuff is to go.
Just dont want ex to pop up and make a claim.
TIA

Savvy_Sue

Were you married, I know you say matrimonial home but was it actually? Can you remember the address, have you checked who owns the house now? 

Did you explain your situation to the solicitor you made the will with? You did use a solicitor? That would give you more certainty about your ex's rights (but I don't think he'd have a strong claim ...)

tealady

Thanks Savvy Sue you have reassured me as solicitor was made aware at the time.
You have put my mind at rest.

400ixl

Are you actually divorced with an approved financial settlement from the courts, or separated with an informal split of assets?

Emmia

tealady said:

Hi
I left my ex years ago (think last century). Have made a new life. No kids.
Can they claim any assets I have acquired since I left (pensions, legacy and a house)
Gave up all rights to matrimonial home when I left. Have no idea where they are now (very common name and cant remember any details about their birth/employment).
Have made a will specifying where my stuff is to go.
Just dont want ex to pop up and make a claim.
TIA

They might have passed away themselves in the meantime, which if they didn't make a will and you were married, gives you their estate.

I think it would be better to see if you can formalise things to provide certainty.

AskAsk

i spoke to a solicitor recently and she told me a story about a client she had.  he had divorced his wife many years ago but they didn't ask for the financial settlement as at that time neither had much so they didn't think it was necessary.  he subsequently done very well for himself and was going to get married again, only to receive the court order on the day of his wedding that his ex wants to claim assets from him as she realised that was her last chance to make a claim!

it is possible for your ex to make a claim up to when either of you re-marry and assets earned after divorce can still be claimed.

VyEu

Do you have a financial remedy order? If not, if ex has not remarried, they can make a claim against you for a lump sum orders, property adjustment and/periodical payments order plus orders to do with the pension. How strong a claim they would have on any post-matrimonial assets depends on the factual matrix. If ex has remarried then the claims for pensions remain live but that's it.