Wife told by judge to 'get a job' in challenge to maintenance

Maintenance for life in family law cases is under the spotlight after a ruling in London's Court of Appeal.

Maintenance for life has been put under the spotlight by a London court Shaun Jeffers

In an ruling which could change the outcome of big money divorce cases, a London judge has told the ex-wife of a millionaire racehorse surgeon to get a job as she has no right to be supported for life by her former husband. Tracy Wright chose not to work when she and vet Ian Wright divorced in 2008 after 11 years of marriage. Last year, he went to the High Court to seek a reduction in his bills - he claimed that it was unfair to expect him to support his ex-wife indefinitely, even after he retires. Mr Wright claimed his wife made “no effort whatsoever to seek work.” Court of Appeal judge Lord Justice Pitchford rejected her challenge to the decision to slash her future maintenance when her husband turned 65. He said that divorcees with children aged over seven should work for a living.

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