Divorce - financial stuff

antilles

My wife and I separated over 10 years ago, but for various reasons, we never got around to actually getting divorced. I've moved in with a new girlfriend a couple of years back and am looking to get my financial affairs in order.

I have 2 children with my wife, and we share custody. There's no animosity between us and we're in regular contact. We've recently agreed that we should go through the divorce process and tidy things up.

I started to fill in the forms online but then realised there might be financial implications if it's not done properly. I currently pay her maintenance for the 2 children and will continue to do so. However, I own a property and have a private pension scheme, and I don't want her getting access to those. She's not interested in them anyway, but it occurred to me that she might be able to go after them at a later date, maybe.

Do I need to do anything formal re finances if she's not interested, i.e. can I just go through the basic divorce process? Or do I need to put something in place re finances also, to protect myself? I read something about 'Form E'. I am not sure of the financial implications here, and wish I'd have sorted it sooner!

I am thinking it might all be best done via a solicitor, but wanted to get some opinions on here first. Would appreciate any advice, thanks! 

RAS

As you realise this could get expensive and the longer you leave it the worse it will get. Potentially ex could get 50-60 percent but a lot depends on other factors? How is the house owned? How is ex housed? Does ex have a pension? Other assets?

You need to sort out two things:

1.A will, as without that if you are run over by a bus tomorrow she gets £270k plus half the rest and the kids get the other half. GF gets nothing.

2. The financial settlement. There really is no substitute for having an open conversation with your ex once you've worked out the figures. Your ex will need to take legal advice and she will learn what her entitlement is.

There is nothing to stop you both agreeing to something different. Where is can get difficult is if she on the deeds? And possibly if she is on benefits?

The financial settlement will need to be agreed by the judge and your ex will have to support the deal you've agreed. Depending on how much of this accrued since you split, it may well be worth offering something even if she doesn't expect it.