Let’s be honest – when a relationship ends, one of the first thoughts people have is: “What’s going to happen with the money?”
And that’s completely understandable. Whether you’re the one who’s earned more, stayed home with the kids, or built something up together – it’s natural to want clarity, and above all, fairness.
So how do you protect your financial interests during a divorce? The first thing to do is – start early.
Step One: Get Advice.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before speaking to a solicitor. In fact, the sooner you get advice, the better.
We often meet people who say, “I wish I’d come to you six months ago.” Early legal advice helps you understand your position and avoid costly mistakes — whether you’re dividing a home, a pension, savings, or business interests.
Even if things feel amicable, it’s still wise to know where you stand. Agreements made informally can fall apart later and that’s where step two comes in.
Step Two: Make It Legally Binding
If you and your ex have reached an agreement on finances, that’s a great start but it’s not enough to just shake hands and move on.
To protect yourself long-term, you’ll want a financial consent order. This makes your agreement legally binding and prevents future claims down the line. (Yes, it’s possible for one party to come back years later if things weren’t formalised properly.)
A consent order is signed off by the court, but if both parties agree, you often won’t need to attend a hearing.
Step Three: Try Mediation or Solicitor Negotiation
Not being in full agreement is more common than you might think. Mediation is often the first step. It gives you both a chance to sit down (with a trained mediator) and talk through the sticking points. It’s often quicker and less confrontational than going to court and can help keep costs down too.
If mediation doesn’t work, solicitors can negotiate on your behalf. Many financial disputes are resolved this way, without ever stepping into a courtroom.
Don’t Forget About Pensions
We can’t stress this enough: pensions are often the biggest asset after the family home. But because they’re not as visible as property or bank accounts, people overlook them and sometimes walk away from a fair share without even realising it.
Whether you’re the one with the larger pension or not, make sure it’s properly considered in your settlement.
We’re here to help
At Lund Bennett Family Law, we help people protect their financial future every day — whether that means reviewing an agreement, preparing a consent order, or negotiating a fair settlement.
If you’re worried about what comes next, just give us a call on 0161 924 0079 or visit www.lundbennett.co.uk. We’ll talk you through your options and help you take things one step at a time.
Let’s sort this together — your future matters.