The High Court has given a woman 12 months to buy her former husband’s share of their family home for €375,000, with the property to be sold if she cannot complete the purchase within that period.
Mr Justice Conleth Bradley delivered judgment on 19 February 2026 in divorce proceedings between the anonymised parties, NM and CB, who had been married for about 42 years before their divorce in October 2024.
The Circuit Court had previously directed that the former family home be sold and the net proceeds divided equally. NM asked the High Court to affirm that arrangement. CB instead sought to remain in the property and proposed paying €250,000 for his share, together with recognition of what she said was a €30,000 opportunity cost arising from a pension lump sum received by NM.
The parties placed significantly different valuations on the house. NM relied on a November 2025 valuation of €800,000, while CB relied on a valuation of €650,000. No auctioneer gave evidence.
Bradley J adopted a notional value of €800,000 but applied a €50,000 discount when determining the parties’ respective interests. He then treated the remaining €750,000 equity as equally owned, producing a buyout price of €375,000 for NM’s share.
The judge considered the parties’ financial and personal circumstances under section 20 of the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996. CB, aged 64, remained in the property, had primarily cared for the family and had met mortgage payments during lengthy periods when NM was absent. NM, aged 67, had significant health problems, precarious accommodation and poor employment prospects, but had also made substantial financial contributions to the mortgage and household over the marriage.
If CB does not complete the €375,000 purchase within 12 months of the perfected order, the property is to be sold and the remaining proceeds divided equally. Final wording, consequential matters and costs were left for a further hearing.