Boats moored in Lowestoft marina on a clear morning — financial settlement solicitors in Lowestoft and Norwich

Finances on Divorce or Separation

The process of ending a marriage has become simpler in recent years. Resolving the financial matters is a different story.

Getting your financial separation right will have a significant impact on your future. Whether your case involves substantial assets or more modest ones, it matters just as much either way.

Get in touch

How we can help with the finances.

Understanding your position

What the law means for you in practice, and the options open to you in the short term and the longer term.

Dividing the matrimonial assets

The family home, other property, businesses, pensions, savings, investments, vehicles and possessions, along with loans and other liabilities.

Financial disclosure

Collating and exchanging the financial information both of you need before any agreement can properly be reached.

Reaching an agreement

Settling matters out of court wherever we can, including jointly through Separating Together, and representing you robustly where court is necessary.

Get in touch Family Law FAQs

Two things worth knowing early.

The first is that the idea that assets are always split down the middle is a myth; fairness depends on your circumstances, and it can look very different from one couple to the next.

The second is that a financial order, once sealed by the court, can be almost impossible to unpick.

Where we can help

Understanding your position

What the law means for you in practice, and the options open to you in the short term while everything is being sorted out, and in the longer term.

Dividing the matrimonial assets

The family home, other property, businesses, pensions, savings, investments and shares, vehicles and possessions, along with loans and other liabilities.

Financial disclosure

Collating and exchanging the financial information both of you need before any agreement can properly be reached.

Reaching an agreement

Talking you through the routes open to you, so you can choose the approach that is right for you and your family, and recording what you agree properly.

What has to be divided.

On divorce, the matrimonial assets need to be divided. These may include the family home, other property, businesses, loans and other liabilities, pensions, savings, investments and shares, vehicles, furniture, jewellery and other possessions.

There may also be questions around non-matrimonial property; assets acquired before the marriage or after separation, or assets received as inheritance or gifts.

Nothing agreed in the dark.

We will work with you to make sure you understand your legal position and the options available, both in the short term while everything is being sorted out, and in the longer term. This often involves working alongside other professionals such as pension experts, mortgage advisers, financial advisers and accountants.

We can help with collating and exchanging financial disclosure, which is an essential part of reaching a fair agreement. Without full disclosure, you may not have all the information you need to make the right decisions.

Constructive where we can be, robust where we need to be.

We listen carefully to understand your priorities and wishes for the future, so that we can work towards the best possible outcome for you. We will always talk you through the options available so that you can choose the approach that is right for you and your family. Where possible, we try to avoid court; and where both parties are willing to work together, we are able to support couples jointly through our Separating Together service, which can make the process smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.

Court proceedings are necessary for some couples, and we will advise you clearly if that is the case in your situation. In those circumstances, the court’s role is to ensure an outcome that is fair and meets both parties’ needs. We will always try to resolve matters as constructively as possible; but that does not stop us representing you robustly and with determination to achieve the best outcome for you and your future.

Not sure this is the right page?

For the divorce itself, and how it runs alongside the money, see our Divorce & Separation page. If you weren’t married, the rules are different again and our Cohabitation page is the place to start.

Both sit alongside the rest of our family law work, and if you’re not sure which you need, get in touch and we’ll point you to the right one.