Divorce financial settlement solicitors

The duration of divorce financial settlements can vary significantly depending on factors such as the complexity of assets, whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, and how quickly agreements are reached. In straightforward cases where couples can agree on financial matters, settlements may be finalised within a few months. However, more complex cases involving high-value assets, disagreements over property or pensions, or disputes regarding income may take considerably longer, potentially extending over several months or even years if court proceedings are required.

You can legally get divorced without a financial settlement, but it is typically not recommended. This can leave you vulnerable in immediate post-divorce matters but also to potential claims on your finances in the future.

Read more on if you need a financial settlement to get divorced.

A shared property is usually the biggest asset to divide in a divorce. The most simple solution is often to sell the property and divide the money from the sale. However, if one party is able to purchase the other’s share, they can take sole ownership.

When children are involved, the best solution can be to maintain joint ownership of the home with one party residing in it until the children reach a certain age.

You could agree to transfer a portion of the property’s value as a financial settlement. By doing this, the partner giving up some ownership maintains an ‘interest’ in the home, meaning they’ll receive a percentage of the final sale price.

Read more on what happens to the family home after divorce.

Pensions are often ignored, but they are one of the most significant assets a couple has. This can be damaging for women as often 90% of the pension wealth is held by one party. Usually the man in different sex couples.

The total value of the pensions that each party has built up is considered. This means all your pensions, not just the ones that each of you held before you were married or in a civil partnership.

When discussing pensions in divorce, there are two primary options for couples: pension sharing and pension offsetting. The capital values, projected income in retirement, and rules of the individual pension scheme will all help inform which option will work best for you.

Read more on how divorce and pensions work.

This can depend on how the business is owned and how much it is worth, but the courts can look at businesses when assigning assets. This can be done by lump sum payments, shares or even selling the business.

Read more on what happens to a business in divorce.

Both parties have a duty to disclose all assets held by them, whether in the UK or abroad, and the court will take into account all assets when deciding how to divide the asset pot. 

Orders can be made against foreign assets such as property, but there may be further action required in that jurisdiction to enforce any orders. The court cannot, however, make a pension share against a foreign pension scheme. 

Discover more about international divorce. 

Sometimes one or both parties refuse to cooperate, this can also be known as stonewalling. If this is the case then the court can intervene and facilitate the process and allow for a solution to take place.  The Court can also order imprisonment or impose fines on a party who is in breach if they are found to be in contempt of Court.

Read more on what stonewalling is and why people do it.

Full financial disclosure is a legal requirement in divorce financial proceedings. Both parties must provide a complete picture of their financial position using a Form E. If a spouse refuses to disclose or is suspected of hiding assets, the court has the power to order disclosure, and failure to comply can result in serious penalties. One of our solicitors can advise you on the steps available if you believe your spouse is not being transparent.

Our divorce financial settlement solicitors are recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers for our technical expertise and focus on securing the best financial outcomes for our clients.

In 2026, our regional rankings include:

Yorkshire: Band 2 chambers & Tier 2 Legal 500: Beverley, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Ilkley, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Wetherby, York

East Midlands: Band 2 chambers: Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stamford

West Midlands: Tier 2 Legal 500: Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Lichfield, Solihull

North East: Band 2 chambers: Durham, Newcastle, North Shields, Sunderland

South East: Tier 2 Legal 500: Berkhamsted, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, St Albans

Wales: Tier 2 Legal 500: Cardiff, Swansea