Although divorce and separation can be very painful, sometimes the most difficult and acrimonious part of ending any relationship can be resolving issues over finances.

When dealing with financial division after breakdown, the law generally sets down out a list of factors that it will take into account, including the needs of any children, of the couple themselves and of the individual's contribution to the marriage. But every case will be decided upon its individual nature.

Our Family Law Team has in-depth expertise in identifying and resolving financial disputes surrounding relationship breakdown. We can advise on all areas, including negotiation, valuation and, if ultimately necessary, we can resolve the dispute in Court.

The process

To start the financial resolution process, it is essential that you and your spouse give your legal advisors a full and frank disclosure of your capital, income and pension provisions.

This means disclosing the following documents:

• Surrender values of any life assurance policies.
• Transfer values of any pensions.
• Up-to-date balances of any bank or building society accounts.
• A current valuation of any property that you may own together with, where appropriate, a redemption figure in relation to any mortgage secured against the property.
• A copy of your last payslip and, if possible, a copy of your previous P60.
• A schedule of your average monthly expenditure.
• Details of any other income that you may receive, or capital not referred to above.
• An up-to-date set of accounts (if you have your own business).
• A schedule of all income you receive from your employment.
• If you own a property, details of how much of the deposit you paid.
• Details of who paid the mortgage.
• Details of any solicitor who acted in the purchase of a property.
• If you are renting property, you need to state whether it is rented from the council or from a private landlord, the rental paid and whose name the rental agreement is in.

Once all these documents are in place, we can then advise you on the division of your assets, on any maintenance payments and how pension provisions should be dealt with. We will then prepare a Consent Order to reflect the settlement made.

Court proceedings

Once your financial affairs have been finalised, we will be able to introduce you to other experts within the firm who can help you address your future security, for example, by updating your will or investing your assets for the future.

Whatever the problem during this difficult time, we will provide you with help, sensitive support and expert legal advice to ensure that we meet your individual needs.