Getting Divorced

If you are divorced or you are getting divorced, it is not an easy time. But within all of that emotion, you need to think carefully about how you can protect yourself and your children financially. It is difficult to split your finances cleanly, but there are ways you can do it. Talking to each other is a good idea, and if you cannot talk together there are services such as Relate which can help you.

Try to resist using your lawyer as a therapist - therapy is cheaper - but you do need to be sure you deal with things like child maintenance effectively. You are also entitled to a share of your spouse's pension under 'pension splitting' laws, although most couples usually offset this by giving a bigger share of the property or other assets so there is a cleaner break.

If you have been reliant on your husband or civil partner for money, you may find that for the first time you are having to deal with everything from mortgages and loans to sorting out your home insurance or car insurance. Don't worry, we are here to help. If you need to sort out tax credits now you are a single parent, we can help there too, and we have lots of information on everything from separation agreements to finding a job. You are not alone.