Divorce Financial Settlement Solicitors in Manchester, Stockport & London

Alongside making arrangements for your children, reaching a fair financial settlement is often the most complex and emotionally charged part of a divorce. Dividing assets built up over years of marriage (a family home, savings, pensions, business interests) requires careful legal advice and, where necessary, determined representation.

Our divorce financial settlement solicitors advise clients from our offices in Manchester, Stockport and London. We act for clients in straightforward financial separations and in highly complex cases involving significant assets, business ownership and pensions. Whatever your situation, we will tell you where you stand and help you reach the best possible outcome.

How financial settlements are decided

If you and your spouse cannot agree a financial settlement between you, the court applies the factors set out in Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 to decide what a fair outcome looks like. These factors include:

• The income, earning capacity, property and financial resources of each party, now and in the foreseeable future.
• The financial needs, obligations and responsibilities of each party.
• The standard of living enjoyed by the family before the marriage broke down.
• The age of each party and the duration of the marriage.
• Any physical or mental disability of either party.
• Contributions made by each party to the welfare of the family, including looking after the home and caring for children.
• The conduct of each party if it would be inequitable to disregard it.
• The value of any benefit (such as a pension) that either party would lose as a result of the divorce.

We advise you from the outset on how these factors apply to your specific situation, so you know what a realistic outcome looks like before any negotiation begins.

Reaching agreement: negotiation, mediation and court

Most financial settlements are reached through negotiation between solicitors or through mediation, without going to court. This is faster and less expensive than contested proceedings. We explore every avenue to reach a fair agreement without litigation.

Where agreement cannot be reached, we prepare your case thoroughly and represent you at every stage of court proceedings. If your situation involves high-value or complex assets, see also our page on High Net Worth Divorce.