-
Call local rate: 0117 3751780 - Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Financial Settlement Solicitors in
Bristol, Clevedon, and Portishead
A financial settlement is a legal agreement on assets are divided after separation.
We’ll provide you with legal protection and representation, and help you reach a fair outcome.
Finances need to be resolved and agreed on by both parties before a separation can be finalised, but that raises a lot of questions. How will these be divided? What is fair? What should you do to protect yourself?
The first step is to identify what assets you own, and what they are worth. This includes money, property, pensions, savings, and business shares. Some of this will require independent valuation. Once the figures are clear and correct, we can advise on what the best outcome is for your circumstances, and how we can work towards that.
We are happy to work alongside trusted third-party professionals like pension experts, valuers, family consultants, and financial advisers. We care about making sure you have the right support circle around you as you go through this time.
Wherever possible, we try to achieve agreement through constructive mediation. If court proceedings become necessary, we make sure you feel prepared, empowered, and properly represented.
Get in TouchOur Method, Grounded in Expertise
Divorce can feel like a lot to handle, even before you start to consider finances. You may be trying to keep things civil, protect what matters to you, and make fair decisions for you both, all at once.
At Harbour Family Law, you can be confident your assets are in good hands. We have over 90 years’ combined experience in financial settlement negotiations and have helped hundreds of clients form agreements that protect their position and give them a clean slate so that they can move forward with their lives.
Our Financial Settlement Services
Negotiated Settlements
If you and your partner are able to decide on the division of your assets either directly, or with the aid of mediation, we can help to convert your agreement into a binding and enforceable court order.
A voluntary divorce settlement becomes legally binding when you apply for a consent order through court and have this approved by a judge. In this situation, neither of you have to go to a court hearing and the process is usually faster and less expensive than litigation.
We can also constructively negotiate either by correspondence or through round-table meetings with your partner, spouse, or their solicitor. This can happen outside the courtroom, often with the help of mediation and collaborative law, to help you achieve a suitable settlement.
Court Applications for Financial Settlement
Sometimes a court application is the right choice. Maybe the situation is more complicated, the assets are harder to value, or you’re struggling to reach a fair agreement. Whatever the case, we will guide you through the process and paperwork and explain what to expect at each stage. If children are involved, we can help with arrangements and maintenance for them, too. Our experienced solicitors have seen it all, and so can represent you with confidence and legal fluency. If required, we can also help with decisions about matters such as child maintenance payments.
Financial Settlement Solicitors in Bristol, Clevedon, and Portishead
Applying for a Financial Settlement
A financial settlement can be reached by agreement, through negotiation, or through the court. Regardless, the aim is the same: to set finances in stone so you can both move forward with certainty.
If you’ve both reached an agreement, the process is straightforward: we draft a consent order to be submitted to the court for approval. Once a judge approves it, the agreement becomes legally binding.
If you cannot reach an agreement, we can help you apply to the court for a financial order. This may sound daunting, but it doesn’t automatically mean everything becomes a fight. The court process is structured and designed to encourage disclosure and settlement. We will explain the entire process, what information you will need to provide, and what we expect for you.
Even if things are perfectly amicable between you now, a legally binding order still matters. Financial claims stay open, even after you have separated, and anything is possible in the future.
Take the First StepYour Initial Consultation
Whatever point you are at in your financial settlement, you can always speak to us for assistance and legal guidance.
In the first meeting, we’ll sit down over a hot cup of tea and listen to your journey and situation. We ask a few questions, get a sense of what is going on, and what you need help with most. From there, we’ll talk you through where you stand legally, what choices are open to you, and what happens next. We will always be honest with you if your intentions might backfire, and we cover fees early on, so there are never any nasty surprises.
Your initial consultation will run for up to 90 minutes, for a discounted 60-minute flat rate.
Financial Settlements and the Family Home
The family home is often the biggest asset in a settlement, but it’s also the most difficult to come to a decision on. Who stays and who goes?
When it’s your home, and possibly where your children are settled, it can be a challenging thing to consider parting with.
We’ll look at the current value of the property and talk you through the possibilities for your situation and what you each can afford. A common approach is to sell the home and divide the proceeds between you. Or, if one person stays in the home, the value of their share will be balanced against other assets.
If it makes sense for one of you to remain in the home for a period, we can set a clear future date for a sale, or agree on what would trigger that, so the arrangement is certain for you both.
''After ending the disappointing services of a previous law firm, who were acting for me with my divorce and financial settlement, I was recommended to Harbour family Law. I made an appointment with Fiona Greener; this was the best decision I made. After having my first meeting with Fiona, I came away feeling I was not alone. Fiona was superb, her experience, calm reassuring approach and professionalism shone through. The court hearing was something I was dreading but Fiona was so well prepared, and I was so grateful to Fiona for her choice of barrister. They were the dream team at the hearing and the day concluded with a very successful result for me. I cannot thank Fiona enough and all the team at Harbour Family Law.''
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I consider for a financial settlement alongside my divorce?
During financial settlement negotiations, each party has a duty of full and frank financial disclosure. This means every asset that you own must be disclosed and valued in order to have informed negotiations.
How long does a financial settlement take?
Every divorce is different, and the complexities of each case can cause huge variations in the length of time the entire process will take. Usually, we would recommend allowing six to ten months from start to finish, for the more straightforward cases.
How much does a financial settlement cost?
Every case is different, and this will depend on the assets involved and your personal circumstances. We would be happy to discuss this with you at our initial meeting so you can make informed decisions about the progress of your case.
Who pays the legal fees for a financial settlement?
It is usual for each party to pay for their own legal fees. If you need to instruct a joint expert, such as an actuary who specialises in pensions on divorce, most people will divide the cost of this equally. In some cases (such as if one person refuses to cooperate) you may be able to seek a costs order obliging them to repay some or all of your legal fees.
Can I get legal aid for a divorce settlement?
Legal aid for family law disputes is now only available in a few limited circumstances, for example, in instances of domestic abuse. Harbour Family Law are not able to offer legal aid. If you think you may qualify for legal aid, you should make enquiries with a firm that offer this service to see if you are eligible.
What is a clean break financial settlement?
A clean break financial settlement is the term used to describe the division of property, savings and any other assets, with no ongoing payments being made between you and your partner. Once a clean break order has been finalised, neither party will be able to make any further financial claims.
