Waggott v Waggott: in support of the clean break

The case of Waggott v Waggott [2018] EWCA Civ 727 is being hailed by some as the end to the ‘meal ticket’, but the decision in respect of periodical payments is perhaps not surprising, there are few cases these days where a ‘joint lives’ order is the eventual outcome.

The other significant aspect to this decision, which really does assist us in advising our clients in respect of periodical payments, is the interplay between ‘free’ capital which is available to a spouse following the application of the sharing principle, and the use which they can be expected to make of it in meeting their income needs.