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Court awards woman financial settlement decades after she divorced man who became millionaire

Associated Press
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Kathleen Wyatt, left, with lawyer Barbara Reeves, outside the Supreme Court, London, Wednesday March 11, 2015. Britain's Supreme Court gave a British woman the right to pursue a claim against her ex-husband decades after they parted ways. In a landmark ruling the court said Wednesday that Kathleen Wyatt, 55, was entitled to compensation from ex-husband Dale Vince, 53. The couple divorced in 1992, but didn't take the step of settling their financial affairs. (AP Photo/PA, Ryan Hooper) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE (The Associated Press)

Kathleen Wyatt outside the Supreme Court, London, Wednesday March 11, 2015. Britain's Supreme Court gave a British woman the right to pursue a claim against her ex-husband decades after they parted ways. In a landmark ruling the court said Wednesday that Kathleen Wyatt, 55, was entitled to compensation from ex-husband Dale Vince, 53. The couple divorced in 1992, but didn't take the step of settling their financial affairs. (AP Photo/PA, Ryan Hooper) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE (The Associated Press)

Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that the passage of time is no barrier to preventing a financial settlement in a divorce case, giving a British woman the right to pursue a claim against her ex-husband decades after they parted ways.

In a landmark ruling the court said Wednesday that Kathleen Wyatt, 55, was entitled to compensation from ex-husband Dale Vince, 53. The couple divorced in 1992, but didn't take the step of settling their financial affairs.

Vince later founded a successful company and is worth millions. Another court will now hear Wyatt's claim and decide the amount she will receive.

Wyatt has sought 1.9 million pounds ($2.9 million). Justice Nicholas Wilson said that was "out of the question" but that she might get enough to buy a mortgage-free house.