Sorting Out the Finances on Divorce
The divorce ends the marriage. It does not divide anything. Working out what happens to the home, the savings, and the pensions is a separate matter, and for most people it is the part that actually matters.
Kenton Solicitors advises on reaching a fair division and, just as importantly, on recording it in a form the court approves so that it is properly binding and cannot be reopened years later.
Everything you tell us is confidential and a first conversation commits you to nothing. Appointments are available at our Kenton Road office in person, by telephone, or by video call, Monday to Saturday.
Free Consultation — 020 8907 2444Our Financial Settlement Services
From working out what there is, to reaching a fair division, to making the agreement binding.
The Family Home
Selling and dividing the proceeds, one of you buying the other out, or deferring a sale until the children are older. Our conveyancing team handles whatever transfer follows.
Savings & Investments
Bank accounts, investments, and other assets held in either name or jointly, including working out what should be taken into account.
Pensions
Often the largest asset after the home, and the one most commonly overlooked. Pensions can be shared or offset against other assets, and we advise on which suits.
Ongoing Maintenance
Where one of you will need continuing support, we advise on what is appropriate, for how long, and how it interacts with the rest of the settlement.
Businesses & Company Interests
Where one of you owns or has a share in a business, it needs valuing and dealing with carefully. We advise on how this is approached.
Making It Binding
Whatever you agree needs putting into a document the court approves. Without that, the agreement is not binding and either of you could make a claim later.
Reaching a Settlement — Step by Step
Most settlements are reached by agreement without either of you attending a hearing.
Free Consultation
We discuss your circumstances and give you a realistic view of what a fair outcome is likely to look like.
Disclosure
Both of you set out what you have — property, savings, pensions, income, and debts. Nothing can be agreed sensibly without this.
Negotiation
We put proposals to the other side and work towards agreement, through solicitors or mediation.
Court Approval
The agreement is drawn up and submitted for approval. This is a paper exercise and neither of you needs to attend.
Putting It Into Effect
Property is transferred or sold, pensions are dealt with, and payments are made in line with what was agreed.
What Counts as a Fair Split?
There is no formula, and it is not automatically half. The starting point for a long marriage is often an equal division, but that shifts considerably depending on the circumstances of the particular family.
What weighs most heavily is need — especially housing the children and making sure both of you have somewhere suitable to live. Beyond that, the length of the marriage, your ages, what each of you earns, and what each of you brought in all play a part.
This is why advice matters early. People often assume an outcome that is some way off, and start negotiating from a position that was never realistic. We will tell you plainly what to expect.
Speak to a SolicitorDo Not Forget Pensions
Pensions are frequently the second largest asset and are regularly left out of informal agreements. Doing so can leave one person considerably worse off in later life without either of you intending it.
Full Disclosure Is Required
Both of you must set out your finances honestly. Where an agreement is later found to have been based on incomplete information, it can be set aside.
An Informal Agreement Is Not Binding
Shaking hands on it, or writing it down between yourselves, does not prevent a claim later. Only an agreement approved by the court closes matters off.
Deal With It Now, Not Later
There is no deadline for bringing a financial claim after divorce. Claims have been made many years afterwards. The only reliable way to prevent that is to resolve it properly at the time.
Situations We Advise On
Agreed in Principle
Couples who have worked out between themselves what should happen and need it checked and made binding properly.
The Home Is the Main Asset
The most common situation in Harrow — where most of the value sits in the family home and the question is how to divide it.
Significant Pensions
Where one of you has built up a substantial pension and the other has not, which needs proper consideration.
Business Owners
Where a business or shareholding forms part of the picture and needs valuing and dealing with carefully.
Concerns About Disclosure
Where you believe your husband or wife is not being open about what they have. There are steps available and we advise on them.
Divorced but Never Settled
Those who divorced without dealing with the finances and want the position closed off properly now.
Financial Settlement Solicitors Serving Harrow
We advise on financial settlements for people across Harrow and the surrounding areas of north-west London. In this area the family home is usually the main asset, and how it is dealt with tends to be the central question.
That is one of the advantages of instructing a firm that does both. Our conveyancing team handles the sale or transfer that follows, so it is dealt with in one place by people who already know the background.
Get in Touch
A first conversation commits you to nothing and everything discussed is confidential. Contact our team for a free initial consultation.
020 8907 2444or email info@kentonsolicitors.co.uk
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Walk-ins welcome. Telephone and video appointments available.
Financial Settlement FAQs
Speak to a Financial Settlement Solicitor in Harrow
Free initial consultation. Completely confidential. Based in Harrow.
