In England and Wales, a forced sale is rare and a straight 50/50 split of the shares is rarer still. Normally the value of the business goes into the overall pot of assets, and the family finances are rearranged around it. How you handle disclosure and valuation tends to decide what that costs you.
Scotland works differently, with a narrower definition of matrimonial property, so what follows applies to England and Wales only.
Is the business a matrimonial asset?
Usually yes, at least in part, even if you set it up before you married. A business interest is a financial resource, and the court looks at all resources. The starting point for assets built up during the marriage is equal sharing.
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