We are often asked how we can help when people initially contact us. So, why do you need a divorce financial planner on your team? When you decide to separate,…
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Are you feeling ready to take some action? Do you feel as though you don’t know where to start? Lots of people feel that way. Take your time. There really…
In the course of my work, I speak to a lot of people who tell me that they put money into savings every month. Yet somehow their savings don’t seem…
In the current economic climate, there are a lot of people worried about redundancies, their own businesses and how they are going to make ends meet if something happens. In…
When you divorce, the responsibility for paying for your lifestyle rests solely with you. I’m sure that you know that. It sounds a bit stark, but it is important, if…
The question, “what divorce settlement am I entitled to?” is probably the question most asked to divorce financial planners, family lawyers and mediators when they first meet a prospective client….
One of the first questions we ask ourselves when the decision is made to separate is “will I be able to keep my home?”, or alternatively “where am I going…
Divorce is an all too familiar part of modern-day life, but that unfortunate reality doesn’t make it any less distressing when it happens to you. No one gets married anticipating…
Mediation has a range of benefits for divorcing couples. It can be faster than going through the courts, it prioritises positive outcomes rather than applying strict legal rules, and it…
Divorce is so commonplace that many of us will know someone who’s been divorced, maybe more than once! And yet, when it happens to us it’s devastating. Our plans, dreams…
Since I last sat down to write, the whole world has changed, or so it feels. Yet, I walk outside and everything still looks the same. As the government ask…
I have been a single mum for about 4 years now. My children are 16 and nearly 15. I regularly have conversations with my married friends about whether being a…
Self care during divorce is essential. Stress is here to stay and a natural part of life. It’s important we learn how to manage it better instead of trying to…
Have you ever changed school, moved home, left one job for another and realised that by doing so you’re starting again and leaving all your friends behind? Going away to…
Making time for yourself is difficult at any time but when you’re going through traumatic times in your life, it is even harder. However, self care is vital to deal…
As you may have read in our previous blogs, No Fault Divorce has been on the table for some time. In 2019, it was moving forward at a pace. However,…
After a divorce we can feel demoralised and demotivated. This can be the case especially if it’s been a protracted ending with lots of hurtful exchanges going back and forth….
Relations between you and your partner have gone sour. You have decided that the time has come to end your marriage. However, Christmas is nearly here so for the sake…
There are certain times of the year when being alone, perhaps without your children, can feel especially raw. Christmas Day, long Bank Holiday weekends, holidays and key social events can…
I remember my paternal grandad retiring, probably because he took us to Disneyland when he did! His retirement meant going from full time work in an office in Cardiff to…
When you separate, one of the biggest fears that you have initially is whether you will be ok financially. You may be wondering what you are entitled to, whether you…
Certain times of the year lend themselves to reflection and an appreciation of the impact different people and experiences have had upon our lives. Many of us have specific dates…
There are various times since I separated that I have experienced the loneliness of divorce. It hasn’t always happened when I’ve been on my own. I have sometimes had a…
In this Master Chef era I began to wonder if I could easily identify the ingredients for family mediation. For 10 years I have focused my practice on keeping separating…
Ways to manage a difficult divorce when you’re a parent So your forever dream relationship has ended in the most painful of ways. You want to cry, scream, curl up…
If you don’t have children, you can divorce and never see one another again. However, if you have children, you have to accept that they will link you forever, even…
(One for the girls) Traditionally when a woman gets married to a man, they change their surname to his. When a woman marries another woman, they often use one of…
When we set up Smart Divorce, it was to help individuals and couples to divorce amicably. The blogs I have written have this idea at their heart. However, we have…
As a divorcing parent, the weekends can be difficult. This is particularly the case if it’s your weekend away from the children. After a particularly bad week, I’m sure that…
How did they find us? We recently met a new client through their family lawyer. It is not unusual for people to come to us this way. They know how…
What is a Pension Sharing Order? You may have agreed to have a share of your ex’s pension or the court may have decided this. Either way, the court will…
I was flicking through twitter yesterday and found a link to the following article https://www.traveldailymedia.com/brits-are-now-taking-divorce-holidays/. Apparently, Virgin are launching divorce holidays from the UK to Las Vegas. They are intended…
One of the hardest decisions that a couple have to make when they split up is the time that they each spend with their children. Now everything is agreed, you…
You have recently separated but what do you tell your children’s school? Telling your children’s school about separation and divorce can be difficult and embarrassing but it is much better…
Tamsin Caine of Smart Divorce recently interviewed a woman who is moving on from an abusive relationship. They hope that her experiences may help others in a similar position. Her…
Tamsin Caine of Smart Divorce recently spoke to hugely experienced Employment Lawyer Natasha Jones. She shares the ins and outs of your rights to working flexibility on separation. Natasha qualified…
Father’s Day is a time when we can reflect on the male role models in our lives. We can appreciate the lessons learned from their input. Gifts and cards are…
When you are getting divorced, one of the big questions is what about the children. If you have young children, one of the most difficult aspects of getting divorced can…
I spent some time with a friend this morning who is also a family lawyer. We were discussing financial settlements. She, like many family lawyers, tries her hardest to help…
It’s a question heard a lot but can you change a financial settlement on divorce? There isn’t a yes/no answer to this question. It’s complicated. Potential clients ask on a…
I was sitting down to have lunch yesterday and switched on Loose Women, only to find that they were debating Divorce Gift Lists. If you haven’t come across this idea…
When I started advising divorcing couples, I read about a judge who said that if either party in a divorce is happy with the outcome, it is probably the wrong…
You may have been advised to see a financial planner by your lawyer or accountant to help you sort out your finances on divorce or arrange a pension. This doesn’t…
Back in September 2018, Age UK reported that divorced women were losing out on valuable pension benefits. Seven out of ten couples do not discuss pensions before divorce, which suggests…
