Financial Claims & Settlements After Divorce.

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We are equally proud that our reputation for legal excellence is matched by the recognition we receive for the service we provide. Our commitment to giving you the best experience possible is evidenced by feedback noted in one legal directory saying we provide “excellent customer service, which is friendly yet very professional”.

Our commitment to fully understanding the individual needs and circumstances of each of our clients has led us to be appointed to the NFU legal panel and to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, highlighting our dedication to providing a bespoke service to all. Whatever your circumstances, we have the knowledge and experience to support you in achieving the best outcome possible.

One factor that you must consider is ensuring that your financial outcome meets your needs and expectations both at the time of separation and into the future. We will support you in organising your financial affairs so that you achieve your goals and can move forward with confidence.

Ranked in Band 2 for the West Midlands by Chambers UK in their 2026 directory it says Lanyon Bowdler “represents clients in financial matters involving trusts, pensions and overseas assets, such as divorce proceedings and prenuptial agreements, with notable expertise in cases concerning farming families.”

In the 2026 edition of Legal 500 we are ranked in Band 2 and comments:

“Lanyon Bowdler is the go-to firm for private family law in Telford and Shrewsbury. Their reputation in the area is unmatched. They attract work of the highest quality and provide a service to match.”

We are proud of this reputation for legal expertise, and equally proud to be known as passionate and caring people. We are tenacious and determined in ensuring that your interests are served, but we are also warm and compassionate, committed to providing the best client service on the market. Our team understands that negotiation is usually the most effective way to achieve a settlement, and we are experts in resolving matters without involving court proceedings. Key members of our team are noted for their expertise in this area, with Lisa Grimmett highlighted by Chambers UK for her work in Collaborative Law.

No. Divorce ends the marriage, but it does not automatically end the financial claims that may exist between former spouses. This is one of the most common misunderstandings we see.

To make a financial agreement legally binding, it usually needs to be approved by the court in a financial order. If you and your former spouse agreed matters between yourselves but never had the agreement approved by the court, there may still be scope for a future claim. A clean break order can dismiss future claims where that is fair and appropriate, giving both people greater certainty.

A clean break order is a type of financial order that brings financial claims between former spouses to an end. It can be appropriate where both parties’ financial needs can be met without ongoing support from the other, and where the division of assets is sufficiently clear.

A clean break is not right in every case. For example, there may need to be ongoing maintenance, a property sale may be delayed, or pension arrangements may need to be implemented first. In those circumstances, it may be possible to agree an order that deals with immediate arrangements and provides for a clean break later, once specific conditions have been met.

A post-divorce financial claim may arise where financial matters were never properly resolved at the time of divorce. It may also arise where one person believes the original settlement was based on incomplete information, pressure, mistake, non-disclosure or an undervaluation of an important asset.

In practice, claims often come to light after a significant change in circumstances. One person may have received an inheritance, built up a business, sold a property, retired, discovered pension information that was not previously considered, or realised that no binding order was ever made. The right response depends heavily on the facts, which is why early legal advice is so important.

There is no simple cut-off point that automatically prevents every post-divorce financial claim. If financial claims were not dismissed by a court order, a claim may still be possible even many years later. However, delay can be very relevant to how the court views the claim and what outcome may be fair.

The court must consider all the circumstances of the case. Under section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, this includes matters such as income, earning capacity, property, financial resources, needs, obligations, the standard of living during the marriage, age, the duration of the marriage and contributions to family life.

An example, Wyatt v Vince

The well-known case of Wyatt v Vince is often used to explain why financial claims should be dealt with formally. In that case, the parties divorced many years before the wife brought a financial claim. The husband had become very wealthy after separation. The Supreme Court allowed the wife’s application to proceed, although it indicated that any ultimate award was likely to be modest rather than a full sharing of the husband’s later wealth.

The case does not mean that every late claim will succeed, or that an ex-spouse is automatically entitled to assets built up long after separation. What it does show is that unresolved financial claims can remain an issue unless they have been properly dismissed by a court order.

Remarriage can affect your ability to bring certain financial claims against a former spouse if you have not already protected your position. This is sometimes called the “remarriage trap”. It is particularly important to take advice before remarrying if financial matters from a previous marriage have not been finalised.

The restriction does not work in the same way for both parties in every situation, and the precise position depends on what applications were made during the divorce and whether any financial order already exists. We can review the paperwork and explain whether a claim remains available.

It is relatively common for people to fail to make provision for their retirement, so pensions are often a source of post-divorce claims, particularly in relation to contributions made to one partner’s pension pot post-separation. Usually, the court will order that only pension contributions made during the relationship are relevant, but that is not always the case. For more information about pensions on separation, see our guide to Pensions on Divorce.

Yes, it is possible for your ex-spouse to make a claim against assets you acquired after your divorce, but only if your financial relationship was never formally severed by a court order.

Many people assume that once the decree absolute is granted, all financial ties come to an end. In reality, unless you obtained a legally binding Consent Order or Clean Break Order, your ex may still have the right to claim a share of property, business assets, pensions, or inheritance you have acquired since the divorce.

This risk has been highlighted by several well-known legal cases, including those where individuals became significantly wealthier in the years following separation. In those instances, the absence of a formal financial settlement left the door open to future claims, sometimes decades later.

If you’ve built assets since your divorce and are unsure whether your finances were properly settled, it’s important to act. We can review your circumstances and, if appropriate, help you secure the necessary legal protection to close the door on future claims.

Yes. A claim being made does not mean it will automatically succeed. The court will consider the full background, including the length of time since separation, whether there was any informal agreement, whether the claimant delayed without good reason, whether either party relied on the previous arrangements, and what each person’s needs and resources are now.

We regularly help clients respond to late financial claims. Our first step is to check whether a financial order already exists and, if so, what it says. We will then consider the strength of the claim, the evidence needed to defend it, and whether an early negotiated outcome may be more proportionate than prolonged court proceedings.

If your former spouse failed to disclose assets, income or other important financial information at the time of settlement, you may be able to challenge the original agreement or ask the court to reconsider the financial arrangements.

Full and honest financial disclosure is central to a fair financial settlement. Non-disclosure can include hidden bank accounts, undisclosed investments, property interests, business assets, trust interests, expected bonuses, significant debts or an undervaluation of assets. These cases can be complex, particularly where many years have passed, but we can help you assess the evidence and decide whether further action is justified.

If you’ve been contacted by your former spouse about a financial claim, whether through a solicitor or the court, it’s important not to ignore it. Even if you believe the matter was resolved years ago, the absence of a court-approved order means a claim may still be legally valid.

Here’s what to do:

1. Do not respond directly or make any admissions until you’ve spoken to a solicitor.
2. Locate any documents from your divorce that relate to financial discussions or agreements.
3. Act quickly. There are procedural deadlines to be aware of once formal proceedings begin.

At Lanyon Bowdler, we regularly support clients in defending post-divorce financial claims, including those brought many years after separation. We’ll review the strength of the claim, explain your legal position clearly, and work to protect your financial interests with discretion and expertise. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

An inheritance may become relevant if financial claims were never formally dismissed by a court order. Whether a former spouse could make a successful claim depends on factors such as when the inheritance was received, whether it has been mixed with matrimonial assets, the financial needs of each party, and whether a binding order already exists.

Inheritance is often treated differently from assets built up during the marriage, but it is not always ignored. If you have received an inheritance and are concerned about a possible claim, or you believe your former spouse’s inheritance changes the financial picture, we can advise on your position.

Not necessarily. Many former spouses reach an informal understanding and assume that this ends the matter. Unfortunately, unless the agreement is approved by the court, it may not prevent future financial claims.

This can cause difficulties years later if one person’s circumstances improve, if a property is sold, if someone retires, or if there is disagreement about what was originally intended. If you reached an informal agreement but never obtained a consent order or clean break order, it is sensible to review your position.

If a financial order has already been made and your former spouse is not following it, the issue may be one of enforcement rather than a new financial claim. This can arise where someone fails to pay a lump sum, does not transfer property as required, or refuses to cooperate with steps set out in the order.

The court has powers to enforce financial orders, but the right approach will depend on the type of order and the nature of the breach. If you are in this position, it is important to act promptly so that the problem does not become more difficult to resolve. Early legal advice can help you understand what options are available and how best to move matters forward.

You may be able to claim an interest in property after divorce at any time, as long as financial claims have not been formally settled by a court order.

This could include property owned at the time of the marriage or, in some cases, property acquired afterwards. As with other financial claims, the court will consider all the circumstances when deciding whether such a claim is fair.

If you believe you may have a claim relating to property in divorce, or are concerned about a potential claim being made against you, seeking early legal advice can help you understand your position clearly.