Why clients choose us

• Plain-English guidance: Exactly what you need to do, when, and why.

• Settle first, litigate if needed: We prioritise negotiation/mediation and act decisively in court where required.

• Full transparency on costs: Fixed-fee stages where suitable and regular updates.

• Complex matters handled: Businesses, trusts, overseas assets, high pensions and high-net-worth cases.

What a settlement covers

Every case is different, but a comprehensive settlement typically addresses:

• Homes and property (sale/transfer, equity release, mortgages)

• Savings & investments (ISAs, shares, crypto, trusts)

• Pensions (CETVs, sharing/attachment, implementation)

• Businesses & self-employment (valuations, liquidity, tax)

• Debts & liabilities (joint and individual)

• Maintenance (spousal/periodical payments, interim MPS)

• Clean-break provisions to end future financial claims where appropriate

(Child maintenance is usually handled via the Child Maintenance Service, with limited court involvement.)

The process (at a glance)

1. Initial advice
   Free 20-minute call or £250 fixed-fee consultation to map goals, risks and likely ranges.

2. Full disclosure (Form E)
   Exchange financial information; identify missing documents and any urgent issues.

3. Valuations & evidence
   CETVs for pensions, property valuations, business/accountancy input and tax checks.

4. Negotiation & mediation
   Solicitor-led talks, mediation or Private FDR to converge on a fair outcome.

5. Consent Order & D81
   We draft the agreement, complete the Statement of Information and submit to court.

6. Court approval
   A judge approves the order (usually on paper).

7. Implementation & aftercare
   Transfers, pension implementation, and practical steps to secure the clean break.

How the court decides (if needed): Judges apply Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 s.25 factors and the principles of needs, sharing and compensation, aiming for fairness in the real world.

Types of financial orders

• Consent Order – makes your agreement legally binding.

• Clean-Break Order – ends future income/capital claims where appropriate.

• Property Adjustment Order – sale/transfer/charge-back arrangements.

• Lump Sum Order – one-off or staged payments.

• Spousal Maintenance (periodical payments) – fixed-term or joint-lives; includes interim MPS.

• Pension Sharing/Attachment (earmarking) – division or income redirection.

• Variation/Enforcement – adjust or enforce existing orders.

Pensions: often the biggest asset

• Valuation: Obtain CETVs; for defined-benefit schemes consider actuarial reports.

• Routes:

  • Pension sharing (most common & clean)

  • Offsetting (keep pension; balance with other assets)

  • Attachment (less used; income paid out later)

• Why it matters: Protects long-term security—especially where one spouse paused work for childcare.

Spousal maintenance: when and how

Maintenance reflects needs, resources and earning capacity, plus marriage length and standard of living.

• Types: interim, fixed-term (with/without s.28(1A) bar), or joint-lives (rare now).

• Change: Can be varied if circumstances shift (income change, new cohabitation, etc.).

• Goal: Where possible, aim for independence via a fair capital split or term-limited support.

Debts & liabilities

• Identify and evidence all borrowing (joint/sole; secured/unsecured).

• Purpose & capacity matter: family-benefit debts often shared; personal debts may stay with the borrower.

• Structure sensibly: Align debt allocation with asset division and affordability; avoid unfair burdening.

High-value & complex cases

• Businesses & partnerships: Forensic valuation, liquidity planning, minority discounts, tax.

• Trusts & inherited assets: Treatment depends on needs, mingling and accessibility.

• Overseas property/investments: Jurisdiction, recognition and practical enforceability.

• Tax: CGT, SDLT and pension implementation costs should be modelled before finalising.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Relying on a handshake deal: Without a Consent Order, claims can remain open.

• Skipping full disclosure: Non-disclosure risks set-aside and costs penalties.

• Ignoring pensions: Under-valuing pensions can skew outcomes for decades.

• Forgetting tax & costs: Model net, not gross, values.

• No clean-break where appropriate: Leaving claims open invites future disputes.

Fees & ways to start

• Fixed-fee initial consultation: £250 (incl. VAT) with a specialist solicitor

• Free 20-minute call: triage and next steps

• Flexible pricing thereafter: fixed-fee stages where suitable or agreed hourly rates with clear estimates

Book a consultation · +44 (0)330 053 3342