Financial settlements on divorce or separation

The financial and practical issues which can arise as part of divorce proceedings often seem difficult and overwhelming, especially in complex, high-value or international cases. Our leading team of family lawyers has extensive experience of providing clients with effective solutions and dealing with the financial consequences of divorce.

Strategic financial proceedings guidance

We provide clear, focused and pragmatic advice on the strategy and conduct of financial remedy proceedings from our offices in London, Oxford, Reading and Guildford. When dealing with financial issues, our starting point is effective negotiation – resolving differences practically and efficiently in a child-centred manner. We also offer alternatives to court proceedings, including arbitration, mediation and collaborative law.

In England, the court, in exercising its discretionary jurisdiction, has the ultimate objective of achieving an outcome which is ‘fair’ in all the circumstances of the case. In some cases, fairness will lead to the equal division of the family assets. Expert advice may be necessary in relation to assets which were acquired prior to the marriage, inherited wealth, and trusts. Depending upon the circumstances of the case, such interests may not be taken into account on divorce. Similar considerations apply to family businesses and pensions. These can sometimes be protected by pre- or post-nuptial agreements.

Universally acknowledged as being amongst the best in the country.

Expert advice is also necessary in relation to the duration and quantum of spousal maintenance, for which there is no formula or percentage-based approach.

We offer an online system that can help our clients to understand their legal position, prepare for their first meeting, and provide us with the information required to maximise the value we can deliver. We invite you to get started online.

How we help our clients

Negotiating financial settlements, in or out of court

Issues in relation to financial disclosure and expert valuations

Interim financial remedy applications (maintenance pending suit)

Applications for legal services orders (costs)

Variation and capitalisation of spousal maintenance orders

Enforcing financial orders following a breach

Financial proceedings pursuant to a foreign divorce (Part III cases)

Penningtons has a stellar team. They’re smart, hardworking and really know their stuff. Clients always feel incredibly well supported as they’re given excellent advice every step of the way.

The level of expertise shown was very reassuring, with the whole team working seamlessly.

Recent work highlights

Exceptional contributions case

Acting for a client who had founded an extremely successful business, in a case with various complex trust issues, which provided a textbook example of an ‘exceptional contributions’ argument.

Collaborative law approach

Advising the wife, a leading City lawyer, in a case where the financial issues arising from her separation (including financial provision for the children of the marriage) were successfully resolved using the collaborative law model.

Financial remedy for non-resident

Representing the intervener in financial remedy proceedings between her non-resident Indian son and his wife, which involved very substantial assets and businesses, and required a thorough knowledge of the ‘Hindu undivided family’ legislation.

Complex international divorce case

Advising a prominent international businessman with over £500 million in assets in connection with complex divorce proceedings, reaching a resolution that effectively safeguarded our client’s interests.