Divorce financial settlement calculator: what you need to know

One of the main hurdles divorcing couples face is working out how their assets will be divided when they divorce. Using a divorce financial settlement calculator can seem like an easy way to determine what you may be entitled to.

However, while a divorce financial settlement calculator may be able to give you a rough idea of what you could expect to receive when you divorce, it is no replacement for advice from an experienced divorce solicitor. Here’s why…

Divorce financial settlement calculator: there is no one-size-fits-all equation

The fundamental problem with a divorce financial settlement calculator is that there are no hard and fast rules which dictate what should happen to a couple’s assets when they divorce.

Every marriage has its own unique set of circumstances and finances and, as such, what is considered to be a fair financial settlement will be different for everyone.

So why can you do a quick ‘google’ and find a divorce financial settlement calculator? Even though there are divorce financial settlement calculators available online, if you read the small print, you will see that they are only designed to give you a rough idea of what to expect.

None of them (or none of the reputable divorce financial settlement calculators) purport to be able to replace the advice of a solicitor. Indeed, many of the divorce financial settlement calculators strongly advise you to seek advice from a divorce solicitor.

Divorce financial settlement calculators: the simple 50:50 split

Some online divorce financial settlement calculators will only work out what your financial settlement would look like if your assets were to be divided equally between you and your spouse. While this 50:50 split is seen as a starting point, obtaining a fair financial settlement may mean that this equal split may not be appropriate.

A simple divorce financial settlement calculator which only calculates the 50:50 division of assets, may result in a completely inappropriate prediction for some couples.

Divorce financial settlement calculator: the ‘Section 25’ factors

If a divorcing couple are unable to reach a financial settlement, it may be necessary to ask a court to decide how the assets will be divided upon divorce.

When considering a fair split, the court will take into account a range of factors, called the ‘Section 25’ factors. These are known as such because they come from Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

The Section 25 factors include:

• the income and earning capacity of each party

• the standard of living enjoyed by the family before the breakdown of the marriage

• the length of the marriage and the age of both parties

• the contributions which each of the parties has made or is likely in the foreseeable future to make to the welfare of the family

A divorce financial settlement calculator cannot take into account all of these factors and give you an accurate prediction of how a court might decide to divide your assets.

Divorce financial settlement calculator: no substitute for legal advice

Although a divorce financial settlement calculator can be useful to give you a rough idea of what to expect, they are not designed to give you an accurate prediction of your financial settlement, taking into account all of the Section 25 factors.

Anyone going through a divorce is strongly advised to get independent legal advice from a specialist divorce solicitor, such as Austin Kemp.

Austin Kemp Divorce Calculator – Click Here

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Decree Nisi – What does this mean in a divorce?

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How can our expert divorce solicitors help you with your fair divorce settlement

Our expert family law solicitors can help you with a range of legal issues relating to fair divorce settlements, including:

• Prenuptial agreements
• Cohabitation agreements
• Post civil partnership agreements
• Divorce
• Domestic violence and harassment
• Child maintenance
• Child contact arrangements
• Divorce financial provisions

Contact our expert divorce solicitors for advice on your fair divorce settlement

For more information call our divorce solicitors on 0845 862 5001 or email mail@austinkemp.co.uk.

Our expert family law solicitors offer a nationwide service. We have client meeting office facilities available, in order to have face-to-face client meetings / conferences as and when required in:

Leeds Office: St Andrew House, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 5JW

Wakefield Office: Market Walk, Wakefield, WF1 1QR

Halifax Office: Old Lane, Halifax, HX3 5WP

Huddersfield Office: Northumberland Street Huddersfield, HD1 1RL

Coventry Office: Warwick Road, Coventry, CV1 2DY

Canary Wharf Office: 25 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5LB

Please contact us for more details.