G.C. v J.C. (proper provision, disparity in valuations, non-disclosure of assets) (Approved)

      Proceedings for judicial separation were instituted by the Applicant on the 20 th June 2022.� A Decree of Judicial Separation is sought together with ancillary reliefs.� The Decree is sought by the Applicant on multiple alternative grounds being section 2(1)(a) and/or section 2(1)(b) and/or section 2(1)(f) of the Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Act, 1989 ('the 1989 Act'). �The Respondent moved to reside in the former family home (adjacent to the present) in or about March 2022, but the evidence was of marital disharmony of long standing.

      The parties were married on the 4 th May 2002 and there are three children of the marriage all of whom are dependent.� The Applicant and the Respondent are both in their 50s.

  The Applicant indicated that neither she nor her husband had pensions of any significance and that she considered the farm to be their pension, and that the Respondent had so indicated to her.� Both parties will likely have entitlements to State pension provision.

  The husband placed emphasis on the uncontested provenance of the farm, being property gifted to him pre-marriage.� He contended that he is an efficient farmer and the farm and yards, stock and machinery are the tools of his livelihood which he wishes to retain in order to continue his livelihood going forward.

  It was common case that the farm asset derived from the Respondent's family and the Respondent had grown up there.� The Respondent pursued education in the agriculture area and the farm was transferred to him by his father under the early retirement scheme in or about 1998, a number of years prior to marriage.� The Respondent has farmed the land since that time, and it has been the primary income source of the family throughout the marriage.