When do we need to agree a financial settlement?
You can agree a settlement at any time before or after you divorce, although it is advisable to do so before either partner remarries (see question ten).It is usually best if you can negotiate a settlement prior to the divorce. The court can then be asked to make any relevant financial orders at the same time as the grant of the decree nisi. (The decree nisi is granted when the court agrees that grounds for divorce have been proven; however, there is a further delay until the 'decree absolute' finalises the divorce.)
Related Resources
in the Legal Information Centre
- Does the reason for the divorce make any difference to how the financial settlement is worked out?
- Will any payments I make to my spouse while we are separated affect the final settlement?
- Will it make any difference if I move out of the family home before we are divorced?
- Are there any precautions I should take, for example to stop my spouse taking cash from our joint account?
