{"id":3705,"date":"2019-10-02T12:20:09","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T12:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/?p=3705"},"modified":"2020-05-07T13:15:45","modified_gmt":"2020-05-07T13:15:45","slug":"top-10-divorce-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/10\/02\/top-10-divorce-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Top 10 Divorce Questions Answered"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/D62BF7B5-9283-4225-8966-8A457A78484C.jpg\"><img data-attachment-id=\"3993\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/10\/02\/top-10-divorce-questions\/d62bf7b5-9283-4225-8966-8a457a78484c-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/D62BF7B5-9283-4225-8966-8A457A78484C.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"989,768\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Your Top 10 Divorce Questions Answered\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/D62BF7B5-9283-4225-8966-8A457A78484C-300x233.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/D62BF7B5-9283-4225-8966-8A457A78484C.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3993\" src=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/D62BF7B5-9283-4225-8966-8A457A78484C.jpg\" alt=\"Your Top 10 Divorce Questions Answered\" width=\"989\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/D62BF7B5-9283-4225-8966-8A457A78484C.jpg 989w, https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/D62BF7B5-9283-4225-8966-8A457A78484C-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/D62BF7B5-9283-4225-8966-8A457A78484C-768x596.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>1. Can I do\u00a0the divorce\/end our civil partnership myself<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, here&#8217;s a guide to\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/01\/24\/how-to-file-for-divorce-in-the-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\">how to file for divorce in the UK<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>It\u00a0also tells you about the challenges you might face<em>.\u00a0<\/em>If in doubt, consult an\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\">expert family lawye<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/about-us\">r<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. How much will it cost<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Court fee is \u00a3550 but:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>are you\u00a0eligible for an exemption? Here\u2019s a\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/apply-for-help-with-court-and-tribunal-fees\" target=\"_blank\">link<\/a><\/em>\u00a0to an application form, or<\/li>\n<li>will your ex pay? You can ask the Court to make an order although it&#8217;s not guaranteed the Court will agree so try\u00a0to reach agreement with your ex.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>3. How long will it take<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>About four months ruling out mishaps with the paperwork. But it\u2019s wise to delay completing your divorce until you have a financial order. Why? Because you might miss out on your fair share; eg if\u00a0your ex dies\u00a0<em>after<\/em>\u00a0the divorce but\u00a0<em>before<\/em>\u00a0you have a financial order you could lose out on their pension. Not sure? Consult an\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">expert family solicitor<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. How are the finances split\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Equally &#8211; subject to the following factors:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>welfare of children<\/li>\n<li>income and earning capacity &#8211;\u00a0 a\u00a0<em>\u201cclean break\u201d<\/em>\u00a0means a payment of capital instead of ongoing maintenance<\/li>\n<li>financial needs &#8211; eg the care of children<\/li>\n<li>standard of living during the marriage &#8211; in rare cases where there is an excess of capital and income this is an argument for a greater share<\/li>\n<li>your ages, and the length of the marriage &#8211; different considerations apply\u00a0if it&#8217;s\u00a0a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2017\/08\/01\/divorce-financial-settlement-short-marriage\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>short marriage<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li>disabilities &#8211; ongoing maintenance or extra capital may be the answer<\/li>\n<li>contributions to marriage &#8211; high achievers can attempt to ring fence their \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2017\/10\/31\/special-contribution-on-divorce\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>stellar contribution<\/em><\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Try to agree the finances with your ex &#8211; see my recent blog\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/07\/04\/family-mediation-collaborative-law-arbitration\/\" target=\"_blank\">How to avoid Court<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>for<em>\u00a0<\/em>your options:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/constructive-negotiations\" target=\"_blank\"><em>constructive negotiations<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/mediation\" target=\"_blank\"><em>mediation<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/collaborative-law\" target=\"_blank\"><em>collaborative law<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/arbitration\" target=\"_blank\"><em>arbitration<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2017\/04\/27\/10-reasons-you-need-a-prenuptial-agreement-when-life-is-rosy\/\" target=\"_blank\">prenuptial agreement<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>5. Do I have to disclose my finances<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Hiding assets or income drags things\u00a0out and can result in an expensive and never ending court case. You will disclose your assets and income in a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/form-e-financial-statement-for-a-financial-order-matrimonial-causes-act-1973-civil-partnership-act-2004-for-financial-relief-after-an-overseas\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Form E Financial Statement<\/em><\/a>, and\/or a\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/form-d81-statement-of-information-for-a-consent-order-in-relation-to-a-financial-remedy\" target=\"_blank\">Statement of Information for Consent Order<\/a><\/em>\u00a0(if your agreed settlement is protected in a\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/03\/08\/how-do-i-get-a-consent-order\/\" target=\"_blank\">consent order)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t make full disclosure you risk:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>adverse inferences being drawn as to the extent of your assets<\/li>\n<li>extra costs<\/li>\n<li>imprisonment for contempt of Court<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Think you\u2019ve got away with it? The Court can overturn financial orders when non disclosure or fraudulent disclosure comes to light.\u00a0Transferring assets to someone else? You risk a Court order freezing your assets and a hefty costs order.\u00a0Hiding assets? You risk imprisonment for contempt of Court.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. Can I ring fence my assets\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, sometimes, but you must still give full and frank disclosure first. What\u2019s the best way to ring fence and protect assets on divorce? A\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2017\/04\/27\/10-reasons-you-need-a-prenuptial-agreement-when-life-is-rosy\/\" target=\"_blank\">prenuptial agreement.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re already married, a\u00a0<em>post nuptial agreement.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>7. What\u2019s a non matrimonial asset<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Take advice because it depends on all the circumstances:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the house you owned before the marriage<\/li>\n<li>the pension you paid since you started work<\/li>\n<li>the inheritance that post dated separation<\/li>\n<li>your business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But if there aren\u2019t enough matrimonial assets left to fulfil your ex\u2019s needs eg for housing, non matrimonial assets can be used to plug the gap.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>8. Is it possible to ring fence and protect an earlier inheritance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Possibly if you never allowed it to be used as a matrimonial asset.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>9.\u00a0Can a business be ring fenced<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Your ex might make a claim over your business but\u00a0won\u2019t automatically be entitled to a share of the business on divorce, and if they are, they could instead\u00a0receive a larger share of other assets such as savings or the family home. Take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\"><em>advice<\/em><\/a>, this is a tricky one.<\/p>\n<p>Joint business? The options are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>split it between you<\/li>\n<li>buy each other out<\/li>\n<li>sell it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here again a you might want to consider a\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/what-we-do\/relationship-agreements\" target=\"_blank\">post nuptial agreement<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>10. My husband\/wife\/civil partner has left me what are my rights<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Worried your ex will:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>sell your home because it\u2019s not in joint names<\/li>\n<li>sell, hide or move valuable assets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The answers are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>an\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/notice-of-home-rights-registration-hr1\" target=\"_blank\">application<\/a><\/em>\u00a0to the Land Registry to register a Notice of Home Rights &#8211; anyone who is not a joint owner should register their home rights when a marriage breaks down<\/li>\n<li>an urgent application to the Court to freeze assets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You need maintenance:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>on an emergency basis<\/li>\n<li>to support the children<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The answers are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>an\u00a0application to the Court for maintenance pending suit (sometimes called interim maintenance).<\/li>\n<li>see my recent post\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2018\/04\/18\/what-are-your-child-maintenance-options\/\" target=\"_blank\">What are my child maintenance options?<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Your Top 10 Divorce Questions Answered<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Contact Family Lawyer Joanne Houston on\u00a0<a href=\"tel:01962%20217640\">01962 217640<\/a>\u00a0for an initial\u00a0consultation on <em>Your Top 10 Divorce Questions Answered.\u00a0<\/em>In this 20 minute session she will review your situation and how you can achieve your objectives.<\/p>\n<p><em>JUST FAMILY LAW are specialist divorce and family lawyers. We offer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2017\/06\/02\/pay-as-you-go-divorce-costs\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pay as you go costs<\/a>. We offer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/01\/17\/what-is-collaborative-family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\">Collaborative law<\/a>\u00a0solutions tailored to your family\u2019s needs.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The topics covered in this blog post\u00a0<em>Your Top 10 Divorce Questions Answered<\/em><\/strong><em><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><strong>are complex. They are provided for general guidance only. If any of the circumstances mentioned in this blog apply to you, seek expert legal advice.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>image for\u00a0<em>Your Top 10 Divorce Questions Answered<\/em>\u00a0&#8211; Facial portrait of sad expression by a female actress by xusenru on\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.m.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Sad_girl_cropped.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Can I do\u00a0the divorce\/end our civil partnership myself Yes, here&#8217;s a guide to\u00a0how to file for divorce in the UK.\u00a0It\u00a0also tells you about the challenges you might face.\u00a0If in doubt, consult an\u00a0expert family lawyer. 2. How much will it cost The Court fee is \u00a3550 but: are you\u00a0eligible for an exemption? Here\u2019s a\u00a0link\u00a0to an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[101],"tags":[307,564,77,109,90,221,237,290,306,286],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3705"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3705"}],"version-history":[{"count":289,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3705\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3996,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3705\/revisions\/3996"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}