How to sort out your finances when you get divorced

Summary

Divorcing? This guide takes you step-by-step through splitting money and property fairly in a financial settlement. Learn about consent orders, 'clean breaks', and how to negotiate without lawyers. The information in this guide applies to England and Wales. 1 Is this guide for you? 2 What you need to sort out 3 Ways of sorting out your finances 4 What to do if or when you reach an agreement 5 What the law says 6 What the law says continued... 7 A fair outcome 8 Assets 9 Housing 10 If you own the family home 11 If you rent the family home 12 Income 13 Pensions 14 What does it mean? 15 More help and advice 16 About this guide 17 Sorting out your finances FAQs This guide helps you sort out your finances yourselves when you get divorced. Most people in this situation don’t know what would be the fair thing to do. What they do know is that they don’t want to get less or pay more than a judge would order. It doesn’t matter whether you are trying to negotiate directly with your ex, going to family mediation or preparing for court - you need to understand what a judge might do in a case like yours so you know more about: * what is fair for you to agree to, and * what is fair for you to.

Key information

• •what is fair for you to agree to, and
• •what is fair for you to suggest to your ex.
• •about the law on financial settlements for couples who are getting divorced or ending a civil partnership,
• •what a judge would take into account and weigh up in their mind when deciding how to divide up your finances,
• •about what a judge might do in a case like yours, so that you have a better chance of making a fair agreement with your ex.
• •you live in England or Wales, and
• •you are or were married or in a civil partnership, and
• •you are or have been involved in divorce proceedings or proceedings to end a civil partnership in England and Wales, or are likely to be, and
• •you and your ex are trying to agree how you will share out what you own, including any family home.
• •you live outside England and Wales, or
• •you have been living with someone (cohabiting) but are not married to them or in a civil partnership.
• •there are complex business interests or trusts, or

Practical guidance

• •Source: [How to sort out your finances when you get divorced](https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/family-and-children/divorce-and-separation/sorting-out-your-finances-when-you-get-divorced)

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