The financial decisions involved in divorce can be difficult to assess in isolation. Two assets with a similar value today may serve very different purposes in the future, particularly when pensions, investments, property and accessible savings are involved.

We start by looking at your current circumstances and the assets and commitments that could be affected by the separation. This gives us a clearer picture of what different arrangements may mean for your future finances and allows us to explain the considerations in straightforward terms.

Our advisers can support you with areas such as:

Reaching a divorce settlement is only one part of the process. Once finances have been divided, you may be managing a different level of income, new household costs and assets that need to support you independently.

Our role is to help turn that new position into a practical financial plan. We can look at how much accessible money you may need, whether investments should be reconsidered, how retirement planning has been affected and what your finances could look like over the longer term.

This can be particularly valuable where you are faced with choosing between different types of assets. Keeping more of the family home, for example, may have very different long-term consequences from retaining a larger share of pensions or investments. Financial advice can help you consider those differences alongside your priorities rather than focusing only on their current values.

Tax can also become relevant when assets are transferred, sold or reorganised. The treatment will depend on the circumstances and timing involved, so appropriate financial, legal and tax advice may need to work together when more complex arrangements are being considered.

Matthew Douglas’s existing service is intended to complement the work of solicitors by helping clients understand the financial consequences of the decisions being discussed during the divorce process.

Once arrangements are finalised, we can also help you review your new financial position and consider areas such as savings, investments, retirement planning and protection. The aim is to help you move forward with a financial strategy built around your own circumstances rather than the household finances you previously shared.

If you are separating, already discussing a financial settlement or want help understanding how divorce could affect your longer-term plans, speak to our advisers about the financial decisions ahead.