Solicitor's £23,000 Fine Highlights Dangers of Hidden Assets in Divorce

BRACKNELL, U.K. - EntSun -- Top-rated family mediation service warns couples about devastating costs of concealing finances, as new digital platform makes honest disclosure easier than ever

The devastating consequences of hiding assets during divorce proceedings have been starkly illustrated by a recent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal case, where experienced solicitor Matthew Becker was struck off and ordered to pay £23,655 in costs for concealing money during his own divorce settlement.

The shocking case, reported in the Law Gazette, reveals how Becker deliberately failed to declare capital held at his law firm whilst completing financial disclosure forms, taking "unfair advantage" of his ex-wife who was unaware of the hidden funds. The tribunal found he had acted dishonestly, undermining the entire family justice system's reliance on honest financial disclosure.

This serves as a stark reminder that complete financial transparency isn't optional in divorce proceedings – it's a legal requirement that can make or break your settlement.

Recent cases show family court costs orders can require payment of hundreds of thousands of pounds when parties are found to have acted dishonestly or unreasonably. In Helliwell v Entwistle, the Court of Appeal described fraudulent non-disclosure as "behaviour that undermines the entire family justice system" and imposed a full indemnity costs order.

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Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy at Mediate UK, explains: "What people don't realise is that trying to hide assets doesn't just risk your settlement being overturned – it can land you with eye-watering legal bills. We've even seen cases where the costs of fighting over concealed assets far exceed the value of what was hidden in the first place."

To help couples with their disclosure requirements safely and efficiently, Mediate UK, the UK's top-rated family mediation service, has launched an innovative online customer portal that streamlines the entire financial disclosure process.

The new digital platform allows clients to upload their financial information securely, ensuring both parties and their mediator have access to complete, accurate financial data from day one, which can be easily checked, discussed an agreed at the first joint mediation meeting. This transparency prevents the kind of damaging disputes that led to Becker's downfall and protects families from spiralling legal costs.

"The Becker case shows that even legal professionals aren't immune to the temptation of hiding assets," says Knauf. "But the consequences are becoming increasingly severe. Courts have zero tolerance for financial dishonesty, and the costs can be financially ruinous."

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The new guidance from recent cases makes clear that family court costs orders are more likely where serious misconduct is involved, with judges willing to impose the severest consequences on those who undermine the system through dishonest disclosure.

The message from recent cases is clear: complete honesty about finances isn't just morally right – it's legally essential. Whether you're a solicitor, like Becker, or anyone going through divorce, attempting to conceal assets is a gamble with potentially life changing consequences.

The new online disclosure portal is available immediately to all new Mediate UK clients and represents the latest innovation from the company that has consistently led the field in making family mediation more accessible and effective.

For couples considering separation or divorce, the portal offers peace of mind that their financial disclosure is complete, accurate and legally compliant.

Read Mediate UK's detailed analysis of recent costs orders cases: Family Court Costs Orders Guide

For more information about Mediate UK's services or to access the new financial disclosure portal, visit www.mediateuk.co.uk or call 0330 999 0959.