The Value of Contributions to a Marriage

For the past few days, we have been able to enjoy the Olympics and have had the privilege of watching elite sports men and women compete. The competition represents the culmination of years of training and dedication to their sport, with people striving to be the best.

Many of the competitors will be married and have children; Tom Daley has said that his son was the motivation for him competing again this year. Strong family support can be crucial when you have to focus on preparing for such an event.

This is the case for all the top sports competitors who train long hours to compete regularly, sometimes on a weekly basis, and often travel internationally. For some this is a lucrative career and even after retirement from their sport they can generate high income levels with TV presenting contracts, management roles and after dinner speaking.

But if the marriage breaks down, how is the contribution of the famous sports person treated? Are they deemed to have made a unique contribution?

I recently discussed this issue with the wife of a well-known retired sportsman who sought my advice. She was at pains to tell me that she had made a financial contribution to the marriage because of a modest capital input arising through her family. She had an overwhelming need to justify herself and her standing in the relationship and what that might mean on exit.

After listening to her, my response was to point this out - her contribution went beyond the introduction of capital. I enquired how the children would have been cared for on the days her husband was away training or competing. Who would have got them to school in clean uniform with all they needed for their day? Who would have taken them to after-school clubs and made sure that homework was completed? When would play dates have happened? Who would have managed the house, tidied, done laundry, overseen repairs and maintenance, paid the bills and walked the dogs?

In short, without her being there, the household wouldn't have functioned. The fact that she attended to these things meant that her husband didn't need to worry about them; he could focus solely on training and being the best he could be in his sport. Together they provided for all the needs of their family.

And that's the point, the wife's contribution to that marriage was different but no less valuable. Without her, he wouldn't have been able to commit to his career. This is how the court looks at matters - a stay at home partner plays no less a role in the relationship than the person who earns money through their endeavours. This is the same whether those endeavours are sporting or business related.

What may also need to be thought about is that one person may have given up a career to allow the other party to advance their own. That too is a contribution and might require acknowledgement when dividing assets or considering income capacity.

So as we marvel at the elite sports competitors, we should perhaps also spare a thought for those in the background who give support and help to make it all possible. In the event of a marriage breaking down, the greater financial contribution does not attract any greater weight in the courts' considerations.

If you need any help with these issues, please contact a member of our family team here. 

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