Family & Divorce Solicitors

Who dares weds

By JULIE MOULTHARRIET ARKELLand MIKE DARVILLSOCCER star Ray Parlour was fleeced of nearly 2million by his ex-wife yesterday.Karen Parlour, 33, won a historic divorce settlement giving her a 37.5 per cent share of the Arsenal ace’s FUTUREearnings.Last night she was “over the moon” at the Appeal Court verdict.But the settlementwill be a hammer blow to marriage, a top lawyer said last night.Vanessa Lloyd Platt said only the most daring of men will tie the knot following yesterday’s dramatic ruling.Arsenal soccer star Parlour must now hand ex-wife Karen more than a third of his annual 1.2million earnings for the next four years.

The money is on top of two mortgage-freeHOMES worth 1million, a 250,000LUMP SUM and 12,500 a yearMAINTENANCE for each of their kids ? aged eight, six and four.

The Appeal Court decision marks the first time a wife has been awarded a slice of her ex’sFUTURE earnings on top of half the couple’s assets.

The package is worth440,000 a year to Karen, 33.Mrs Lloyd Platt, who runs a London-based legal firm, said: “I worry men will no longer want to marry.“It’s difficult enough to drag a man up the aisle at the best of times. This will give even more reason to shy away.”

She added: “Wealthy married men had better start being very, very nice to their wives.“My advice is buy a bunch of flowers tonight and tell them how lovely they look.”

Mrs Lloyd Platt, who said the ruling would only apply to well-off husbands with money to spare, also hailed it as a victory for women in the battle for equality.
She added: “The court agreed with Karen’s argument that she was in a large part responsible for her husband’s success.”
Simon Bruce of leading London lawyers Farrers, predicted a boom in celebrity-style pre-nuptial agreements.

He said: “People wishing to protect their assets and income will want to have a contract.”
Karen’s lawyers said the judgment, which also means Parlour must pay 1million in costs, would remove the “glass ceiling” on divorce deals.

The ruling ended a long battle between England midfielder Parlour and former optician’s assistant Karen.
They were together for seven years and married for four until their 2002 divorce. Parlour, 31, admitted adultery.

He originally offered Karen 120,000 a year. It was bumped up to 250,000 by the High Court in January ? after which both parties appealed.

Yesterday Lord Justice Thorpe, sitting with Lord Justice Latham and Lord Justice Wall, said Karen should save 294,000 out of her new award for each of the next four years before Parlour’s career wanes because of his age.
The judge said the “exceptional” case had to be settled quickly as the footballer’s earning ability was likely to plummet at 35.

Then, the judge said, he hoped the couple could have a “clean break”.Lord Justice Latham said Parlour’s income was “far in excess of the needs or reasonable requirements of the parties” by around 550,000 a year.

Lord Justice Latham said Parlour’s income was “far in excess of the needs or reasonable requirements of the parties” by around 550,000 a year.

Karen at first demanded half of his income, then agreed to accept 37.5 per cent.She said she helped pull him back from the brink as boozing and gambling nearly wrecked his career. She also said her duties at home helped him to the top.

Parlour said his sweat and toil on the pitch was worth more than her efforts at home.Last night the ex-wife said through an intercom at the former family home in Hornchurch, Essex: “I’m over the moon with today’s decision.”

Parlour attended training in London Colney, Herts ? then headed for a round of golf in his 95,000 Merc coupe.
His agent Steve Kutner said: “He’s philosophical. What can he do? We think he has been wronged, we think she has been vindictive.


“Ray may take it to the House of Lords.”

Parlour’s new partner, Jo, was reluctant to talk as she carried their tot into their 600,000 home in Herongate, Essex. The player returned later, but declined to comment.

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