A practical guide for anyone going through a divorce, or starting to think about one, covering the five financial decisions worth getting right early on.
Why your finances need attention early
Divorce can be one of the most disruptive events to your financial position, and the decisions you make in the early stages often shape your options for years afterwards. The guide makes the case for taking stock of your situation as soon as possible, rather than leaving financial planning until the legal process is further along.
Taking stock of your financial situation
Getting a clear picture of your assets, debts and financial ties to your ex partner is the first practical step. The guide covers what to gather, how to start financially disassociating yourself, and why doing this early can protect both your finances and your credit score.
Deciding what happens to your home
Your home is often one of the biggest shared assets in a divorce, and there is more than one way to handle it, from selling and splitting the proceeds to one person buying the other out. The guide sets out the main options side by side, along with what to consider with each.
Protecting your pension and your retirement plans
Pensions are frequently overlooked during divorce despite often being one of the largest marital assets, and the guide explains why that matters, particularly given how much divorce can widen the gap between men's and women's retirement savings. It covers the different ways pensions can be split and what to think about afterwards.
Reviewing your protection and your estate plan
A divorce changes who should benefit from your will, your pension nomination and your Lasting Power of Attorney, but none of these update automatically. The guide explains why revisiting them sooner rather than later can prevent complications for your family further down the line.
Who it's for
Anyone going through a divorce or separation who wants a clearer sense of the financial decisions ahead, whether you are just starting the process or partway through it already.
