Divorce Financial Settlement Solicitors | Howells Solicitors
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Divorce Financial Settlement Solicitors

Divorce Financial Settlement Solicitors based in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham delivering advice in London and Nationwide

Divorce can be a challenging and emotional process. Especially, when it comes to the division of assets. Once you’ve taken the decision to divorce, you will need to reach a formal divorce financial settlement.

 

Negotiating a satisfactory financial settlement can be difficult, stressful, and emotionally challenging. You can also run the risk of not receiving what you are entitled to. We are here to help you with splitting money, property, and retirement savings in the best way possible during a divorce.

 

Our team of divorce financial settlement solicitors are part of one of the largest family law teams in the north of England. The team are accredited in the Legal 500 as one of the top family law firms in the country. They are accredited by Resolution and the Law Society, and have many positive client reviews, earning them a rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Review Solicitors.

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What is a Divorce Financial Settlement?

Divorce financial settlement is the process of dividing assets and liabilities between spouses when they separate. It’s essentially who gets what after a couple separates and involves decisions about how assets should be divided.

This process makes sure that both people get an equal part of the things they own together, like property, money saved, investments, and retirement funds.

It’s a critical aspect of the divorce process because it determines the financial futures of both individuals involved.

Factors such as the length of the marriage, the contributions of each spouse, and future financial needs are taken into account. Properly managing these factors can result in a settlement that provides stability and security for both parties. This is where a divorce financial settlement solicitor can help.

If you are not married we can also help with financial settlements during separation.

When there is a decision to separate there will be a need to look at how assets should be shared. There is also the consideration of children in the marriage and what is best for them and their needs.

A divorce financial settlement is a legally binding decision and will cover the specifics of your financials and assets. If you and your ex-spouse or civil partner do not reach an agreement they could try to make a financial claim against you in the future.

We can also help if you have taken steps to complete your divorce application online.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to book your free appointment today with a divorce solicitor.

Why-Are Divorce Financial Settlements Important?

The division of assets is a critical aspect of any divorce. Ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of assets can have a significant impact on both parties’ financial well-being post-divorce. Here are some key reasons why asset division is essential:

Financial Security – Ensuring that both parties receive a fair share of the marital assets helps provide financial security for both individuals. This is especially important if one spouse was financially dependent on the other during the marriage.

Avoiding Future Disputes – By addressing all financial matters during the divorce process, both parties can move forward with a clean slate. This minimises the potential for ongoing legal battles and emotional stress, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Legal Obligations – Family courts have a duty to ensure that the division of assets is fair and in accordance with the law. A divorce financial settlement solicitor can help ensure that all legal requirements are met and that the settlement is legally binding.

Additionally, a divorce solicitor can provide valuable insights into how the law applies to specific assets, such as family businesses, international properties, or complex investment portfolios. Their expertise ensures that the settlement is comprehensive and legally sound, reducing the risk of future legal challenges.

Services Provided by our Divorce Financial Settlement Solicitors in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, London and Nationwide

Our divorce solicitors can help you protect:

  • Rights to property
  • Savings
  • Shares
  • Pensions
  • Any international assets
  • Liabilities for debts
  • Custody of children – along with any maintenance payments, school fees etc.

There are a number of ways our family team can support you through a financial settlement agreement, including:

It is often possible to avoid going to court and to reach a settlement as our divorce solicitors are expert negotiators. We also have a qualified collaborative law team. However, if an amicable resolution is not possible, our solicitors will support you through any court appearances and reach a fair settlement for you.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to book your free appointment today with a divorce solicitor.

Who Gets What in a Divorce Financial Settlement?

One of the judge’s primary concerns when looking into who gets what in a divorce financial settlement will be to ensure the needs of each party are met. If you have children, their needs will always be prioritised.

A number of factors will be considered when determining how the assets should be divided. This includes how long the parties have been married or in a civil partnership, whether they lived together before they married and how long for as well as, but not limited to, each party’s:

  • Assets
  • Age
  • Earning Capacity
  • Reasonable Living Expenses
  • Disability (if applicable)
  • Liabilities
  • Children

How is a Divorce Financial Settlement Calculated?

Whilst the aim of the divorce court will be to divide assets in a fair and equal way, this does not always mean being split 50/50. Other factors such as the needs of each party, child arrangements and future earnings potential will all be involved in the decision.

Calculating a divorce settlement can vary depending on the individual’s circumstances. A divorce financial settlement is typically determined by considering several key factors:

1. Assets and Debts: The court will consider the value of marital assets (e.g., property, vehicles, investments) and debts accumulated during the marriage.

2. Income and Earning Potential: The court may assess each spouse’s income and earning potential to determine spousal support if applicable.

3. Child Custody / Child Maintenance: If there are children involved, their well-being is given priority. Factors such as child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support obligations are considered. A financial settlement solicitor can also help you with child custody matters.

4. Contributions to Marriage: The court may consider the contributions made by each spouse during the marriage, including financial contributions, homemaking responsibilities, and childcare.

5. Length of Marriage: The duration of the marriage can also influence how assets and debts are divided.

6. Needs: The financial needs of the parties and any children both now and in the long-term

It’s important to consult with a divorce solicitor who specialises in divorce cases to understand how these factors apply to your specific situation since laws can differ from one case to another.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to book your free appointment today with a divorce solicitor.

Do You Need a Financial Settlement as Part of a Divorce in the UK?

Whilst you can still be granted a divorce without a financial settlement, it is highly advisable to obtain one. This will avoid any complications, delays or further legal costs. The court can approve any financial settlement from the decree nisi stage in the divorce. Without a divorce financial settlement, you can run the risk of not receiving what you are entitled to.

Your ex-partner could also try and make a financial claim against you in the future, even years after the divorce is finalised including a share of assets accrued in the years after the divorce has taken place.

It is important that a financial settlement is approved by a court. If it isn’t, it will not be legally binding and could leave you at risk of further disputes later.

Divorce Financial Settlements FAQs

How is Financial Settlement Calculated in a Divorce?

The court will look at how parties’ assets can be divided in the fairest way, taking into account each party’s needs and those of the children and considering the factors listed above.  The earnings and potential earnings will also be considered.

How Long Does it Take for a Financial Settlement in Divorce?

Typically, a divorce settlement will take between 9 and 12 months.  If an application is made to the court this could be longer, depending on when the application is made

How is Property Divided?

There is no straightforward answer to determining what happens to a shared property after divorce. The judge will consider a range of factors, and the most important one is usually each party’s housing need and their ability to meet it and where the children will reside. The economically weaker party might need a larger share of the assets to meet their need.  Every case will depend on its individual circumstances.

What Should I Ask for in a Divorce Financial Settlement?

It is essential to obtain specialist legal advice from a lawyer who has experience in dealing with financial settlements on divorce and who can guide you through the process, be it providing advice on an agreement you may have reached directly with your spouse already, or full advice confirming what financial settlement you should be looking to achieve.

Our Divorce Financial Settlement Solicitors

Our divorce financial settlement solicitors represent clients in:

The divorce team also offer a free 30-minute consultation on your first visit, which can be made face-to-face, on the phone or virtually.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to book your free appointment today.

Our Divorce Financial Settlement Fees

Our divorce solicitors offer transparent and affordable prices to suit all financial circumstances. You will always be kept up to date with costs and they offer fixed fees for most areas, so you are always in full control.

Find a full list of our fees here.

Free Legal Consultation

Our family law team offer a free legal consultation to new clients. You can book an appointment by telephone, video call or in person You can book a consultation to have by telephone, video call or in person, at a time that suits your needs.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to book your free consultation today.

Free Legal Consultation

Our family law team offer a free legal consultation to new clients. You can book an appointment by telephone, video call or in person You can book a consultation to have by telephone, video call or in person, at a time that suits your needs.

 

Contact our team today

How can we help? Contact us today

Contact us on 0114 2235 807 and one of our advisors will be in touch to discuss your situation. We will take some initial information and if we can help, we will book you in for a consultation with a legal professional.

Contact our team today

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Solicitors for Divorce Financial Settlements

The Howells Solicitors child custody team are one of the largest in South Yorkshire England. They specialise in a wide range of family law services, including divorce, financial settlementschild custody arrangementscollaborative law, care proceedings, adoption, guardianship, child abduction and domestic abuse, to name a few areas.

The team have an exceptional reputation for dealing with a vast range of cases, from high-net-worth  finances to complex cases involving children. The team also have extensive experience of representing clients at court, including parents, grandparents, guardians, and children.

The team covers the entirety of South Yorkshire, with offices in Sheffield, Barnsley, and Rotherham. However they also regularly take instruction from clients from across the UK, including regular instruction from clients in London and the surrounding areas.

The team are supervised by the sensitive and compassionate Alyson Siddal  who understands that she is not dealing with ‘cases’ but with people. Alyson has been a key part of Howells Solicitors for over 30 years and offers a wealth of expertise and experience in divorce and family law matters.

The team also includes senior divorce solicitor and director Sharon Lockwood, who is a highly regarded in Rotherham and the rest of South Yorkshire. Sharon is a specialist in complex cases involving children and high value assets. Sharon is also very active in the local community of South Yorkshire and receives a high amount of praise from her clients and colleagues and has established herself as one of the most distinguish divorce specialists in the region.

The team also includes family law solicitor and director John Clegg who is a family law specialist and covers all aspects of family law including divorce, civil partnership and cohabitation breakdown, financial matters arising on separation and divorce, pre and post-nuptial agreements and protection from domestic abuse.

Client Feedback

The team rank number 2 in Sheffield, and number 1 in Rotherham and Barnsley on Review Solicitors with an average ranking of 4.9 out of 5 stars in reviews received and 99% of former clients confirm they would recommend the firm, which is a testament to the quality of advice they provide and their exceptional client care. The team are often praised for their professionalism, compassion, empathy, and kindness.

“Thank you so much for all you have done. I cannot speak highly enough of you & everyone I have met at Howells. I have already recommended Howells & yourself to the specialist teams I am now in contact with & will continue to do so.”

“Many thanks again for your invaluable help, advice and your calm, approachable manner. It is very much appreciated!”

“Howells provided a great service and worked quickly and efficiently to get the job completed to try to keep my costs down too. I would recommend Sharon and the team.”

“Excellent service with prompt response time.”

“I used Sharon Lockwood in my extremely messy and prolonged divorce case, and I cannot thank her enough. She was kind and caring at times when I was very distressed and at the same time both efficient and professional.”

“Sharon was exceptional from our first telephone call and throughout this process. Professional, supportive, knowledgeable, and very clear.”

“Sharon has been a rock she explains everything every step of the way she has gotten me through a very tough year, and I will be for ever grateful to her.”

“I chose to sort my divorce and financial settlement with Sharon Lockwood at Howells solicitors after seeing other reviews. I was not disappointed in any way, shape, or form. She is very professional and quick off the ball. I would highly recommend Sharon and her colleagues at Howells for a fast and very efficient service and would use again if needed.”

Legal 500 Ranking

2018 – Tier 3 – “The Howells family team works across Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley, with Alyson Siddall focusing on high-value financial work, and co-leading the team alongside Sharon Lockwood, whose expertise lies in matters involving tax elements and inherited assets, and John Clegg, who brings extensive experience regarding complex cases involving children. The team undertakes a wide range of family work, with notable expertise in working on complex domestic abuse and care cases.”

2021 – Tier 2 – “Howells fields a substantial family team, which also features eight Children Panel members and five Resolution accredited panel members. Practice head Alyson Siddall is a key name for high-value financial work, advising clients in high-net-worth cases involving significant assets and pensions. John Clegg is particularly well known and respected for children and finance work. He is one of a handful of solicitors in the city who still does finance legal aid work.”

2022 – Tier 1 Ranking – “The team are particularly well known for high-net-worth cases. In addition, the practice has a strong regional reputation.”

2023 – Tier 2 Ranking – “The team undertakes a wide range of family work, with notable expertise in working on complex domestic abuse and care cases.”

Professional Feedback

“A go to for complex children matters. Is thorough and deals with cases with a level of detail and knowledge that are truly impressive.  Has the detail of every aspect of the case at her fingertips. She is also sensitive and compassionate in her approach to clients, but quite capable of delivering difficult and realistic advice.”

“Sharon Lockwood is dedicated to seeking very practical solutions to financial cases. Tenacious but also very realistic at the same time”

“Alyson Siddall is a pleasure to deal with and is very knowledgeable and competent. She also has a very calm manner, which I am sure is appreciated by clients and other professionals alike.”

“An effective and tenacious advocate known for his thorough, sensible and constructive approach. Has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of financial and children cases and the safest pair of hands no matter how difficult the case.”

“Excellent Collaborative lawyer and a leading family solicitor in Sheffield. Experienced, dedicated and knowledgeable.”

“Thorough in preparation, experienced, excellent with clients, willing to go above and beyond and a strong presence in the courtroom.”

Alyson Siddall

Family Law

0114 249 6659
John Clegg

Family Law

0114 249 6795
Sharon Lockwood

Family Law

01709 364000
Caroline Euinton

Family Law

0114 249 6643
Louise Ellis

Family Law

01709 364 000
Ramandeep Kaur

Family Law

0114 249 6703
Wendy Bailey

Family Law

01226 805 190
Danielle Mahyar

Family Law

01226 805 190
Sophie Jensen

Family Law

01226 668 803
Cody Minshall

Family Law

0114 249 6656
Colin Musgrave

Family Law

0114 249 6709
Laura Hill

Family Law

0114 249 6638
Michaela Logue

Family Law

0114 2496666