Divorce, money, and children

Divorce, money, and children | Friday 20 August 2021 | 3 min read

The end of a marriage is a very difficult time for most couples, and it is not unusual for one party to seek an advantage and try to control the situation. They may do this by claiming that they know how a court will divide the marital property, or how it will agree child custody arrangements – but do they?

No matter what anyone tells you, there is never one ‘single truth that works for everyone’ when it comes to relationship breakdown and divorce, because we all live slightly different lives.

Internet research, talking with friends, or ‘free half-hours’ will give you ‘generic’, and sometimes conflicting, guidance: they will not tell you what is and isn’t relevant in your own, very personal situation.

A discovery meeting with one of our family law solicitors will give you the information you need to move forward. Whatever questions you have – about your rights, legal processes, or likely outcomes – you will get informed answers that relate to your particular aims and circumstances. After the meeting, you will receive a written summary of the most important points discussed, so you have the facts, not the fairy-tales, on which to base any decisions you may make.

If you’re not quite ready to talk to us, explore our ‘honest answers’ articles. We’ve broken the topics into two groups:

Honest answers –  financial settlements for separating and divorcing couples
Honest answers – child arrangements for separating and divorcing couples

You will still need personal legal advice, but the common assumptions and misunderstandings covered will help you start your journey.

It’s good to bear in mind…

• Whilst they might try, no one person in the marriage can force the other to accept something they don’t want to as part of the divorce settlement. It is important to try to reach an agreement and, if one party is seeking to control the other, good legal advice and representation is particularly helpful. Where an agreement cannon be reached, it is the courts who will decide what is a fair outcome.
• You don’t need a ‘Rottweiler’ of a solicitor – the Family Court is primarily concerned with fairness. An intimidating approach can send the wrong signals and may backfire spectacularly. The most important thing is to find a solicitor with whom you feel a connection; one who gives you sensible advice and progresses your case forward, rather than going around in circles.