The Family Home
For many couples, the family home is their largest financial asset.
Common questions include:
- Will the property need to be sold?
- Can one spouse remain in the home?
- Can ownership be transferred?
- Who will continue paying the mortgage?
- What happens if the property is registered in one person’s name?
- How will children’s housing needs be considered?
There is no single outcome that automatically applies to every divorce.
Possible arrangements can include:
- Selling the property
- Transferring ownership
- Refinancing
- One spouse remaining in the home
- Offsetting property value against pensions or other assets
Our Worcester divorce solicitors can advise on the family home as part of your wider financial settlement.
Savings and Investments
Financial assets can include:
- Bank savings
- ISAs
- Shares
- Bonds
- Investment funds
- Managed portfolios
- Employee share arrangements
- Other investments
Full financial disclosure can help establish the overall asset position before meaningful negotiations take place.
Pensions
Pensions can represent a substantial proportion of family wealth, particularly after a longer marriage.
Relevant arrangements may include:
- Workplace pensions
- Personal pensions
- Defined benefit schemes
- Defined contribution pensions
- Executive pension arrangements
- Other retirement benefits
Pensions should not be overlooked simply because the benefits may not yet be accessible.
Complex pension arrangements may require specialist pension or actuarial advice.
Business Assets
Divorce can become more complicated where one or both spouses own a business or have an interest in a partnership.
Relevant issues may include:
- Limited companies
- Professional practices
- Partnerships
- Family businesses
- Company shares
- Commercial premises
- Director remuneration
- Dividends
- Retained profits
- Business valuations
Where business value is significant or disputed, independent valuation evidence may sometimes be required.
Spousal Maintenance
Some divorces involve questions about ongoing financial support from one former spouse to another.
Whether spousal maintenance is appropriate depends on the circumstances, including:
- Income
- Financial needs
- Earning capacity
- Housing requirements
- Other resources
- The wider settlement
Our solicitors can explain how maintenance may fit into the overall financial arrangements.
Consent Orders
An informal financial agreement does not provide the same legal certainty as a court-approved order.
A consent order can record arrangements relating to:
- Property
- Pensions
- Savings
- Investments
- Maintenance
Once approved by the court and effective, the order provides a legally binding framework for the agreed settlement.