Isla Fisher ‘contacted a terrifying divorce lawyer two years ago before splitting from Sacha Baron Cohen’

Isla Fisher reportedly told friends that she sought advice from a formidable celebrity divorce attorney in 2022 before splitting from her estranged husband Sacha Baron Cohen.

Actress Isla, 48, is said to have quietly contacted Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who charges £550 an hour and was the legal expert involved in Sir Paul McCartney’s £24million divorce from Heather Mills.

On Friday, British actor Sacha (52) and Australian star Isla announced that they had quietly split last year.

When Isla contacted Baroness Shackleton in 2022, she is said to have advised the film star and Sacha, who are reportedly in a prenup, to take the ‘amicable route’.

It is claimed that Isla and Sacha, who have three children, could try to reach a settlement over Sacha’s £40 million estate.

Isla Fisher reportedly told friends she sought the advice of a formidable celebrity divorce lawyer in 2022 before splitting from her estranged husband Sacha Baron Cohen (Isla pictured last month)

On Friday, British actor Sacha, 52, and Australian star Isla announced they had quietly split last year (pictured in 2020)

On Friday, British actor Sacha, 52, and Australian star Isla announced they had quietly split last year (pictured in 2020)

A source said The sun: ‘Isla had known for a while that the marriage was over and after some difficult conversations with Sacha decided to consult a divorce lawyer. This was at the beginning of the summer of 2022.

‘Fiona Shackleton was recommended through mutual contacts and Isla was put in touch with a member of staff in the office.

‘It was also suggested that she seek a lawyer in the US, where the couple have a home.

“Fiona is an incredible lawyer, and utterly terrifying in both reputation and ability.”

They went on to say that it was suggested that the couple would try to keep things as amicable as possible for the sake of their children.

But if things do go wrong, Fiona will make sure she does a thorough job for her client Isla.

Borat star Sacha is said to have spoken to Laura Wasser who represented Johnny Depp when he split from Amber Heard and was involved in Angelina Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt.

Isla and Sacha announced their split by sharing a photo of themselves wearing tennis clothes.

Actress Isla, 48, is said to have quietly contacted Baroness Fiona Shackleton, the legal expert involved in Sir Paul McCartney's £24million divorce from Heather Mills (Baroness Fiona Shackleton pictured in January)

Actress Isla, 48, is said to have quietly contacted Baroness Fiona Shackleton, the legal expert involved in Sir Paul McCartney’s £24million divorce from Heather Mills (Baroness Fiona Shackleton pictured in January)

Sacha is said to have spoken to Laura Wasser (pictured), who represented Johnny Depp when he split from Amber Heard, and was involved in Angelina Jolie's divorce from Brad Pitt

Sacha is said to have spoken to Laura Wasser (pictured), who represented Johnny Depp when he split from Amber Heard, and was involved in Angelina Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt

Isla confirmed her split from Sacha with an Instagram photo of the couple in tennis outfits, writing: 'After a long tennis match of over twenty years we finally put down our rackets'

Isla confirmed her split from Sacha with an Instagram photo of the couple in tennis outfits, writing: ‘After a long tennis match of over twenty years we finally put down our rackets’

Their statement read: ‘After a long tennis match of more than twenty years, we finally put down our rackets.

‘In 2023 we jointly filed an application to end our marriage. We have always prioritized our privacy and have been working through this change quietly.

“We share forever in our devotion and love for our children. We very much appreciate that you respect our family’s wishes for privacy.’

The couple first met in 2001 and tied the knot in 2010. They are parents to daughters Olive, 17, and Elula, 13, and son Montgomery, nine.

MailOnline contacted representatives for comment.

The Mail on Sunday has revealed that rumors suggesting their marriage was over started circulating last year when the couple went house hunting in London.

For years they had divided their time between Los Angeles and the Australian city of Perth.

However, Baron Cohen, 52, who grew up in Hammersmith and is very close to his family, was eager to return to London, while his wife was happier in her native Australia.

The disagreement over where they lived is said to have taken its toll on the couple, who had been together since 2001.

Insiders claim their marriage has been ‘shaky’ for years, with Sacha reportedly struggling after making the ‘sacrifice’ of moving their family to Australia in 2020.

“Their marriage has been rocky for years,” an insider exclusively told DailyMail.com. ‘The breakdown started when they moved to Australia so she could be closer to her family. But it kept Sacha distant from everyone he knows.

“He made this sacrifice for her and would make many sacrifices for her throughout their marriage. He is deeply affected by their separation, because she was his life for many years.’

Friday’s announcement came after Rebel Wilson made shocking claims about her experience with ‘a**hole’ comedian Sacha in her new memoir, Rebel Rising.

Rebel played Borat star Sacha’s on-screen girlfriend in the 2016 comedy The Brothers Grimsby and made a series of accusations about her awkward experience during filming.

She claimed that on the set of the Louis Leterrier-directed film, Sacha would ask her to undress for scenes despite her ‘no nudity’ rule, in a series of claims that Sacha has strenuously denied and which she says are contradicted by evidence.

Just two months ago, Isla discussed her Valentine’s plans with Sacha on the Kelly Clarkson show, saying: ‘Every year Sacha gives me a card that says ‘Happy Valentine’s from…’ and then there’s a big question mark.

“Like anyone else would send me… like I have any other Valentines. I am a mother of three. I mean, I always say, ‘Ooooh. So many men’.’

In July 2023, the couple’s marriage seemed stronger than ever during a trip to Greece, with Isla sharing a photo of herself sharing a passionate kiss with her husband.

In January 2022, Isla revealed it was love at first sight for the couple in a rare interview about their wedding.

‘I immediately loved him. I mean, I knew it was definitely love at first sight,” she added.

The announcement came after Rebel Wilson made shocking claims about her experience with 'a**hole' comedian Sacha in her new memoir, Rebel Rising (Rebel, left, pictured with Isla at the Los Angeles premiere of their film Bachelorette in 2012)

The announcement came after Rebel Wilson made shocking claims about her experience with ‘a**hole’ comedian Sacha in her new memoir, Rebel Rising (Rebel, left, pictured with Isla at the Los Angeles premiere of their film Bachelorette in 2012)

Elsewhere in the interview, Isla reflected on the fact that the couple had been together for 20 years – a rarity in the fickle world of show business.

“I think it’s probably 200 years by Hollywood standards!” she joked. “I feel like it’s a golden anniversary or something. Everyone congratulated me’.

‘It’s a fun ride. I feel so lucky to have Sacha in my life. Now we have a beautiful family and we survived the lockdown together, you know, it’s not easy for any couple,” Isla added.

Isla and British-born Sacha met at a party in Sydney in 2002 and married eight years later.