1. Consider the immigration status for you and your family in order to move and travel freely in and out of the UK.

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2. Think about hiring a private concierge agency or management agency who will help you with sourcing and purchasing a suitable property (properties) for you and your family. They can also help you with selecting and visiting schools; childcare requirements including procuring and interviewing nannies etc., as well as other domestic requirements (chef, driver etc).

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3. Think about how you may wish to purchase and hold property, whether personally in your sole name, jointly with a partner/spouse or through a trust/company.

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4. Appoint a financial advisor to assist you with tax and wealth planning, including advising on setting up companies, setting up a trust and tax mitigating steps. You will need to factor in the geographical consideration and any tax consequences of moving and settling in another country and accumulating wealth.

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5. Consider your personal relationships and whether at the outset of your relationship a cohabitation agreement is appropriate, i.e. to set out how you and your partner intend to hold property and any other assets. In many countries the concept of common law marriages and spouses exist, and it is possible to claim on property and income and other assets when not legally married. This is not the case in England and Wales. The law which governs financial settlements between unmarried couples (limited to property and claims for the benefit of children) is vastly different from the law which governs married couples who separate and divorce.

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6. In contemplation of marriage, all couples should consider entering into a Pre-Nuptial Agreement to determine how and what wealth to share if the marriage were to breakdown. You will need to consider, and take advice, in other countries if applicable; for example if you are a national in one country, marry in another and move to England and Wales and settle, there may be three potential jurisdictions for divorce. You can agree within your Pre-Nuptial Agreement which jurisdiction to choose, but you should take advice in all relevant jurisdictions, as all may be a viable option, and a choice of jurisdiction clause may not be binding. You may already have a Marital Agreement from the country in which you married, but this does not override divorce and financial claims in England and Wales.

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7. If you are already married, you may wish to consider entering into a Post-Nuptial Agreement with your spouse. As the financially stronger party, the English jurisdiction is not always the most favourable to you, but a well drafted and reasonable Nuptial Agreement is persuasive and can determine financial claims on divorce.

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8. Consider any potential arrangements for your children if you want them to reside and be educated in England and Wales, consider what happens if your career is short lived and you move to a different country after a few years. You will need to consider where your children have settled and are educated, whether they would also relocate with you or continue to reside and study in England and Wales, and whether you would travel to see them.

9. Dealing with the media. Athletes performing at the highest level are often in the public eye. Bringing your family to England and Wales to settle should be a private matter and out of the media. You may consider taking advice regarding your relationship with the media and the role and protection of privacy laws, and consider what legal provisions are available to protect you and your family.

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10. Consider making a Will and keep it updated in this jurisdiction, taking the appropriate advice from international lawyers where necessary.

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The family team at Sheridans can deal with all legal matters regarding your family and any questions arising from the above, in conjunction with the other teams at Sheridans. Please contact us family@sheridans.co.uk.

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