At the end of last year, British television and radio personality Fearne Cotton announced the end of her marriage to Jesse Wood, the son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. Often sharing insights into her family life, Fearne’s relationship with Jesse widely envied, so the news came as a shock to many, including members of Dutton Gregory’s Family Team, Georgia Oliver and Chloe Hall.
Breakups of high-profile figures often prompt questions about the legal aspects of marriage and divorce. Fearne Cotton and Jesse Wood met in Ibiza in 2011 and got married three years later. After what the Courts would consider to be a long marriage, the announcement at the end of last year served as a reminder that even seemingly perfect relationships can face challenges, and, sometimes, fall apart.
Given that both Fearne and Jesse are relatively wealthy individually and likely to be financially independent, it is likely the Court would take an approach in relation to sharing of assets accrued during their marriage and separate those from assets accrued prior to the marriage.
One exception can be that of matrimonial property - when a home has been purchased prior to the marriage by one party and then becomes the matrimonial residence. This does not mean that it needs to be shared equally, just taken into consideration. It may be that Jesse and Fearne had pre-determined the division of their assets with a Pre-Nuptial Agreement, which may help when determining a financial settlement.
Both Fearne and Jesse are successful in their own rights, with Fearne being a radio presenter, podcaster and author, while Jesse is a former member of the band Reef, who are going on tour in 2025 for their 30th Anniversary. So how would their future earnings and royalties be considered in the divorce?
With anything involving royalties or future earnings, expert valuations will need to be undertaken. Intellectual Property experts will be able to look at details of ownership and what is copyrighted and to whom. This may be particularly useful for Jesse to understand, as his royalties will stem from his involvement in the band, of which he is not an original member. For Fearne, it could help her to understand the impact of any future book sales on a financial settlement. Once this is understood, an expert Intellectual Property Valuer will be able to take statements of royalties and make a forecast of the likelihood of future royalties along with the return and risk. Appropriate experts will also be able to assist with valuations in foreign jurisdictions, especially helpful if a product is more popular abroad.
Jesse is son of Musician Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones. Ronnie has an estimated net worth of $200,000,000, and Jesse is the eldest out of six children. Jesse’s inheritance situation is likely to be assessed based on several factors; If Jesse received a large inheritance or gift from his family before his marriage to Fearne, it may be considered a separate asset, especially if it was kept distinct from the couple’s shared finances. However, if that inheritance were later used for joint purposes, such as purchasing a family home or starting a business together, it could be factored into the divorce settlement.
The length of Jesse and Fearne’s marriage will also play a crucial role. In a long marriage, Courts are more inclined to consider all assets, whether earned, inherited, or gifted as part of the shared financial pot. If the inheritance Jesse stands to receive is substantial and plays a significant role in his overall wealth, it may impact the financial negotiation. If Fearne is entitled to a share of joint assets or needs financial support post-divorce, she may argue that any inherited wealth should be used to meet those needs, especially if it contributed to their joint standard of living. In the UK, inheritance is considered a marital asset if it is acquired during the marriage or if it is mixed with other assets, such as being placed in a joint account or used for joint property. This means that, in principle, inheritance can be subject to division in the divorce settlement.
The process of determining how their children will be cared for, where they will live, and how time will be shared between parents, is critical. A Child Arrangements Order is a legal document issued by the Court to set out the arrangements for a child’s care, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring the child’s best interests are prioritised. Jesse and Fearne have two children together. If they are unable to reach an amicable agreement regarding their children’s care, they could seek a Child Arrangements Order from the court. The court will assess the child’s best interests by considering factors such as the child’s emotional, physical, and educational needs. In this case, the court would consider the relationships both children have with each parent and the stability each parent can offer. It is possible that one parent might be more involved in day-to-day care, which could influence the court’s decision regarding primary residence and the other parent’s contact time. The Court will also look at how willing both parents are to work together and communicate effectively regarding the child’s needs.
In cases where there is an important level of conflict, the court may recommend mediation or other interventions to help parents co-parent more successfully. It is crucial for the court to assess how the children will be affected by the separation and whether maintaining regular contact with both parents is in their best interests. Stability and continuity are often prioritised to minimise disruption to the children’s emotional well-being.
Fearne Cotton’s separation from Jesse Wood serves as a reminder that no relationship, even those in the public eye, is immune to challenges. By understanding both the legal aspects of divorce and offering empathetic, practical help, we can support both parties and others navigating this difficult life change.
If you need specialist family law advice regarding child arrangements, cohabitation and prenuptial agreements or general advice, please contact one of our Family Law Solicitors at Dutton Gregory Solicitors.
