Couples undergoing divorce are urged to exercise caution as DIY divorces pose potential financial risks, warns Bevirs Law, a Wiltshire-based law firm.
Failure to secure a clean break order, especially in the aftermath of recent divorce rule changes, can lead to costly repercussions for both parties involved.
Michelle Bowyer, Associate Solicitor at Bevirs Law, acknowledges the positive shift in divorce legislation in spring 2022, eliminating the need to assign blame for the breakdown. However, the simplification of rules has led to a common misconception that legal advice is no longer necessary. Those opting for a DIY divorce often neglect obtaining a vital clean break order, leaving them vulnerable to future financial claims.
One notable case involved a client who, having undergone a DIY divorce without legal advice, failed to secure a clean break order. Five years later, after receiving a lump sum of £100,000 due to redundancy, the client faced a claim from his ex-wife, resulting in a £18,000 court award and accrued legal fees. This scenario could have been prevented with a clean break order at the time of divorce.
Recent research from the Nuffield Foundation reveals that only two in five individuals seek legal advice during divorce, with just a third finalising finances through a clean break order. A mere 10% of divorces include a pension-sharing order.
Michelle warns, “Parties neglecting a financial order at divorce expose themselves to future asset claims and may miss out on securing a fair share, including via a pension sharing order.”
Bevirs Law’s family team offers a fixed fee initial interview, recommending a DIY divorce while providing crucial analysis of matrimonial finances and advice on financial consequences.
Safeguard your financial future – visit www.bevirs-law.co.uk. Bevirs Law operates from offices in Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett, and Swindon.
