Financial Settlement
Home / Family Matters / Financial Settlement
In the UK, financial settlements after divorce are determined according to the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. The act provides for a fair and reasonable settlement that takes into accountthe needs and resources of each party, along with any obligations and responsibilities they have, including those towards any children of the marriage.
To be eligible for a financial settlement, both parties must have a valid divorce decree (decree nisi or decree absolute) from the court. The parties must also have reached an agreement on the division of assets, property, and financial obligations, or have had a court decide on these matters in a final order.
In order to enforce a financial settlement, it is necessary to obtain a court order. This order specifies the terms of the settlement and defines the obligations of each party. Failure to comply with a court order can lead to legal action being taken by the court.
In summary, to be eligible for a financial settlement after divorce in the UK, the following requirements must be met:
- A valid divorce decree from the court
- Agreement or court order on division of assets, property, and financial obligations
- Court order to enforce the settlement terms.
If there is no agreement on the division of assets, then both parties can go to the for financial settlement. The financial assets and liabilities of both parties are evaluated and divided fairly by the court. This includes any property, savings, pensions, and debts that have been acquired during the course of the marriage.
There are several stages that the court will follow when determining financial settlement in a divorce case:
- Disclosure: Both parties are required to provide full disclosure of their financial situation, which includes documents such as bank statements, tax returns, and property valuations.
- Assessment: The court will consider all the financial factors, such as the income, earning capacity, and needs of both parties, as well as the contributions each party has made during the marriage.
- Division: Based on the assessment, the court will decide how the assets and liabilities should be divided, either through a lump sum payment, property transfer, or ongoing maintenance payments.
It is important to note that every case is unique, and the financial settlement will depend on the individual circumstances of the parties involved. Contact a solicitor in our family law department and seek advice and guidance regarding your financial settlement process.
