Charlotte Powdrell: 9 reasons why Israel Adesanya may be forced to share wealth with ex-girlfriend

Israel Adesanya’s ex-girlfriend stands a very good chance of receiving a big chunk of Izzy’s assets

Pulse Sports reported that the reigning UFC middleweight fighter Israel Adesanya is in trouble after his ex-girlfriend Charlotte Powdrell sued him, demanding a fifty per cent share of his wealth. 

However, Izzy, as he is fondly called, responded by informing her that his wealth is well-protected, like Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi. 

The controversy has been ongoing for a while, with both parties refusing to back down but “going for each other’s jugular.’’

In an attempt to bring our readers all the important details in this broiling controversy, Pulse Sports reviewed a document named Property Relationships Act (PRA) by the New Zealand Law Society.

The report contains guidelines binding on married couples in a civil union or a de facto relationship.    

“The PRA applies automatically to all married and civil union couples and those who have been living together in a de facto situation for a minimum of three years, whether they are of the same or opposite sex.”

“It applies to relationships that end after 1 February 2002 even if they began before that date.”

“It applies whether a relationship ends through separation or death – and it can override the provisions of a deceased partner’s will.”

Charlotte Powdrell can take advantage of some loopholes in this law and lay claims to at least half of the assets of the 'The Last Stylebender' because they lived in New Zealand together.  

Here are nine reasons why Izzy might be forced to share part of his wealth with his ex-girlfriend, even when they were not legally married.

1. A long-term relationship

Charlotte Powdrell could smile to the bank if she can prove she has been in a long-term relationship with Israel Adesanya.

The law favours couples, even those not legally married but have been in a relationship for more than three years. 

Reports have it that Izzy’s relationship with Charlotte Powdrell came to the limelight in 2019 after the pair was spotted together after his match against Robert Whittaker.  

“Usually a relationship will need to have lasted at least three years for the PRA’s equal-sharing regime to apply. However, sometimes shorter relationships (where there are children or a partner has made a substantial contribution) will also qualify if that would be just.”

2. An investment in property 

If she can prove beyond reasonable doubt that she has invested in any of his property or if they have what the PRA refers to as “relationship property.”

Relationship property as defined by the PRA includes the family home, even if it was acquired by one partner before the relationship began or by inheritance, gift or via a trust. 

Also, the family chattels (furniture, fittings, household equipment and appliances, vehicles, boats, etc) even if they are in one person’s name only any common or jointly-owned property.

“The family home and family chattels are always relationship property no matter whose name they are in or how they were acquired, unless they are designated separate property by an agreement.”

“Where both parties owned homes before the relationship began and one became relationship property by being used as the family home, an adjustment in the division of property may be made to take account of the other home or its proceeds.”

3. A legal agreement regarding compensation

Another way Charlotte Powdrell could get the better of her ex-boyfriend Israel Adesanya is to provide a legal agreement stating that she would get compensation in case of a breakup or separation.

4. If she made contributions

Charlotte Powdrell could be entitled to some share of Adesanya’s wealth if she can claim she made “contributions” during the period the relationship lasted.

“If property is divided according to contribution, both financial and non-financial contributions are taken into account.”

“Non-financial contributions can include such things as caring for children or other relatives, managing the household, performing services in respect of property, giving up a higher standard of living, helping a partner in their occupation or business, or enabling a partner to gain qualifications.”

5. If the separation will leave her worse off

Powdrell, who works as a real estate agent in New Zealand can claim that her separation from Israel Adesanya will negatively affect her financially.

Such claims can bolster her chances of getting more than half of the relationship property she and her ex-boyfriend shared.

“Where there will be significant economic disparity between the partners after separation and that disparity is caused by the division of functions during the relationship, the court may decide that the partner left at an economic disadvantage should get more than half the relationship property.”

“This bigger share comes out of property accumulated during the relationship, not out of the other partner’s future earnings.”

“However, just the fact that one partner earns much more than the other is not enough to claim economic disparity – it depends on whether the reason for the lower income and living standards is because of the way functions were divided during the relationship.”

6. Division of function clause 

Charlotte Powdrell, whom Adesanya had accused of selling him out, can take advantage of a “division of function” clause.

She can claim that she stayed back home or gave up on her career to support the reigning UFC middleweight title holder. 

“One partner may have supported the other during a course of study, enabling that partner to advance their career. If this sort of division of functions has left one partner either economically disadvantaged or not able to maintain him/herself, then the normal 50/50 property split may be adjusted to compensate or an order for maintenance made.”

7. Relationship Debts

Isreal Adesanya’s ex-girlfriend Powdrell could also claim that she incurred some debts during their relationship which was in the interest if their union.

“Personal debts are those incurred to acquire or improve separate property or those incurred before the relationship began or after it ended. Even though a debt may be in one partner’s name only (say on one partner’s credit card), that does not mean it is a personal debt – it will depend on the purpose for which it was incurred.”

8. Adesanya can even lose overseas properties 

Israel Adesanya might be in some big trouble and could even be forced ton part with some of his properties that are outside the shores of New Zealand.

All Powdrell Charlotte need do is to prove that she contributed to an increase in the Adesanya’s asset during their time together and viola!

“Overseas assets are classified as either “movable” or “immovable”. Items such as furniture, chattels, cars, bank accounts, shares, etc are movables. Land (with or without a building) is immovable.”

“Provided one partner resides predominantly in this country, New Zealand courts can make orders about movable assets overseas but not about immovable ones.”

9. What can Israel Adeasanya do?

There is only one option for Israel Adesanya which is for him to enter into a contractual agreement with his ex-girlfriend. 

“The only way to prevent the PRA from applying to your property is for you and your partner to enter into a contracting-out agreement. This allows you to make your own rules about the ownership of your property (including future property) and how it is to be divided when your relationship ends.”

However, Israel Adesanya cannot force his ex-girlfriend into an agreement.