Court orders businessman to fund wife's divorce legal costs

The judgment came on Friday, 30 October. The husband must pay up to R230,000 for a forensic accountant and up to R34,590 for an industrial psychologist. The fee contribution is payable in eight monthly instalments of R32,401.25 from 30 November. The accountant's fees are payable when invoices are presented.

Stanton found that the husband had not made full and frank disclosure of his financial affairs. She said the wife needed enough financial backing to fight the divorce on an equal footing. In the judgment she said: "The applicant is entitled to a contribution sufficient to secure equality of arms in the divorce proceedings,"

The husband had offered R150,000 towards her legal costs. He called the legal bill "shocking, astonishing and absurd" and said the expensive experts were unnecessary. He also said a forensic accountant was premature because discovery was not complete. His legal team said the woman should use qualified local experts where possible.

The woman first sought R915,400 in legal fees and R265,190 for expert investigations. The husband is the sole director and shareholder of a private company. His declared monthly salary is R15,832.97, and he offered R30,000 a month towards the maintenance of the two minor children.