Emma Wilders-Pratt - Trethowans

Emma is a partner and Head of the of the Family Team.

Emma specialises in all aspects of family law and relationship breakdown, including divorce, financial disputes between spouses and cohabitants, private law children cases and pre and post-nuptial settlements.

Emma has particular expertise in dealing with cases involving complex business assets, inherited wealth, farming assets, trusts and Armed Forces pensions.

Emma also has a wealth of experience acting for clients involved in issues relating to children, including applications for removal from the jurisdiction, the future living arrangements for the children and acting for grandparents.

As a member of Resolution and a trained collaborative family lawyer, Emma seeks to provide an alternative to litigation for her clients if appropriate and steer her clients towards workable solutions.

Emma’s aim is to help clients leave the marriage with their dignity intact and feeling that they have retained control of the process and where possible, developed a positive post separation parenting relationship with their former spouse.

Notable work highlights

Emma is frequently instructed in high net worth cases often with complex assets or where there are significant pension interests.

Reported case W v H (divorce financial remedies) [2020] EWFC B10

In April 2020 Emma was instructed for the wife in a case involving the treatment of pensions on divorce. The case was before HHJ Hess, Deputy Lead Judge of the Financial Remedy Court. The authority quotes widely from the Pensions Advisory Group report published in 2019 and has very useful guidance as to how pensions should be treated on divorce. We were successful in arguing that the total £2.1m pension fund should be shared between the parties on the basis of equality of income, despite the husband’s pre-marital contributions. The case also provides helpful guidance on global maintenance orders and costs orders. A link to a summary of the case is available here.
Emma has been ranked as a next generation partner in the recent edition of the Legal 500, who state, “ Emma Wilders-Pratt is especially well known for her work for clients with inherited wealth, military pensions, and other intricate asset structures.”

Away from the office

Emma lives in Hampshire with her husband. When not at work, you will find Emma running around after her two very energetic children with their various sports and activities, or planning her next open water swim.

Accreditations & Memberships

Resolution.
Trained collaborative lawyer.
Dragonfly Champion.
Listed as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw.

Wiselaw-Leading-Lawyer-Emma-Wilders-Pratt

Areas of expertise

Testimonials

What our clients say about Emma

“Emma Wilders-Pratt is a fantastic solicitor. I have recommended her to friends. She is hard working, takes no nonsense, and deeply cares about each and every case.”

Legal 500 2024

“Emma Wilders-Pratt is an outstanding lawyer who, along with depth of knowledge of the law, also has a strong understanding of clients’ needs. She will think outside the box and try to make the best solution for her clients. She has a great team around her and makes sure that you, as a client, feel looked after.”

Legal 500 2024

“Emma Wilders–Pratt is a partner in the firm and whilst eminently approachable is a tough litigator and does all she can to achieve the best outcomes for clients.”

Client

“Emma is highly knowledgeable but also pragmatic – a rare combination. Emma stands out above the rest in Hampshire and Wiltshire.”

Legal 500 2023

“I instructed Emma Wilders-Pratt because I had absolute confidence that she understands domestic abuse and the challenges that this presents in divorce cases. I had previous experience with another reputable law firm, the difference between the two was stark. I recommend anyone who is going through a divorce to escape an abuser to use Trethowans and Emma.”

Client

“Emma Wilders-Pratt is an extremely competent and talented solicitor. Clients are in the very best of hands with Emma and she goes above and beyond to ensure that the court process is as easy to manage for them as possible. She is unfailing kind and genuine when dealing with difficult and traumatic circumstances, and her human touch does not go unnoticed by clients who sometimes find themselves in awful situations.”

Legal 500 2023

“You have been tremendously kind, supportive and considered in all the advice you have given me. Going through divorce is terribly upsetting and stressful but you have made this process less so for me. I think a personal recommendation is the best way to go in finding someone to deal with something so important and I’m recommending you to anyone that will listen!”

Client

“Thank you Emma for supporting me through this period and for your good grace and support during some of the emotional moments. How you do this every day is beyond me but you’re very good at it.”