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Have you severed

financial ties with your ex?

By Lorraine Harvey, be successful, it needs to be entered into you and your ex-partner must exchange
principal lawyer in willingly, with both parties prepared to full and frank financial disclosure.
family law at Slater make some compromises. There will be a First Directions
and Gordon If agreement is reached at mediation, Appointment (FDA) for the judge to
your lawyer will draft a financial order consider if any further information
Many people (made by consent) to be lodged with the needs to be gathered following the
mistakenly believe court for approval. exchange of financial disclosure.
that a divorce alone Financial disclosure At the second hearing, the Financial
breaks all financial The exchange of full and frank financial Dispute Resolution (FDR), the judge can
claims with their disclosure provides both parties with full give an indication as to what they
former spouse, but this isn’t the case. Only a transparency as to the extent of the believe a reasonable settlement might
financial order can sever these financial ties, matrimonial pot in order for negotiations to be. Both parties are encouraged to reach
and not having one in place will leave you begin. If there’s any uncertainty as to the an agreement at this stage. However, if
vulnerable to a potential claim being made value of assets, such as the family home or an agreement is still not possible, the
against you even after the court has granted pensions, experts may need to be instructed. court will list a contested Final Hearing.
the decree absolute. Once all the relevant information has A different judge will hear the Final
A financial order can be made by been gathered, your lawyer will advise you Hearing and make a final decision,
consent or imposed upon you by the court. as to what a reasonable settlement might imposing a financial order onto the
You can obtain a financial order in a number be. This provides a starting point to parties.
of different ways. The route you take will negotiate with your ex-partner to try to Conclusion
largely depend on how amicable your reach an agreement. Once an agreement is If you’re going through a divorce, or got
relationship with your ex-spouse is and the reached, your lawyer will draft a financial divorced a number of years ago without
level or complexity of matrimonial assets to order (made by consent) to be lodged with getting a financial order, it’s important
be divided. the court for approval. that you seek legal advice. Your ex-
Mediation Financial remedy proceedings spouse may still have a financial claim
“It’s nice to If relations remain amicable between you If mediation or negotiations are available against you.
and your former spouse, mediation may be
unsuccessful, you will need to issue financial

If you would like specialist advice
remedy proceedings. The court will provide
the best option. Mediation involves
relax knowing attending joint (or shuffle) sessions with a both parties with a strict timetable for the from a family lawyer please contact
Slater and Gordon on 0808 175 7710 and
mediator for assistance. For mediation to
proceedings, which includes a date by which
we’ll be happy to help.
my divorce
settlement is In your last three years’ service?
sorted.” A number of spaces are available on the West 12 September, 17 October, 21 November and

Midlands Police Federation retirement 19 December.
Getting a divorce is never easy, especially seminars. To book, email the Federation office with
The seminars are aimed at officers in the
on top of the pressures of police work. At last three years of their service and aim to ‘Retirement seminar’ and the date you wish to
attend in the subject line. Include your name,
Slater and Gordon we offer Police Federation prepare them for life outside the Force, work and personal email address, phone
members a free initial consultation, a divorce financially and generally. number, proposed retirement date, number of
fixed fee package and discounted hourly rates. Among the topics covered by the places required and dietary requirements in
We’ll be with you every step of the way so facilitators at the one-day seminars are: the email.
Dates have also been agreed for next year’s
you can focus on your job and let us deal with l Managing change and uncertainty retirement seminars:
l CV writing and interview techniques
everything else. l Transferrable skills Thursday 23 January
l Pensions and the state pension Thursday 6 February
l How do I manage money and these Thursday 12 March
financial changes? Thursday 9 April
For all life’s legal needs and with l Budgeting Thursday 14 May
offices throughout the UK. l Starting your own business Thursday 11 June
l Taxation Thursday 23 July
0808 175 7710 l New horizons - what’s next? Thursday 20 August
slatergordon.co.uk/police-law l Savings, investments and finances, and Thursday 24 September
l Protecting your wealth.
Thursday 22 October
Seminars are being held on Thursday 10 December.
Book early to avoid disappointment.
Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
www.polfed.org/westmids federation August/September 2019 35