Post Divorce Financial Claims

Financial Orders & Post Divorce Finance Claims

Divorce may legally end a marriage, but it does not automatically end the financial claims between former spouses. Many people assume that once the Final Order has been granted, their finances are fully separated. In reality, unless a court-approved financial order has been made, financial claims may remain open.

This can create uncertainty long after the divorce itself has finished. A former spouse may still be able to bring a claim involving property, savings, pensions, income, business interests or inheritance if those claims were never formally dismissed. Equally, you may need advice because you are already divorced but financial matters were not dealt with properly at the time.

At Pinnington Law, our Solicitors advise clients across Manchester and the North West on unresolved financial claims after divorce. We can help you understand whether a claim may still be possible, how to protect yourself from future claims, and what steps are needed to bring financial matters to a legally binding conclusion.

Stephen Pinnington leads our family law team. He is a Senior Solicitor with over 30 years’ experience advising on divorce, financial settlements and financial remedy proceedings, including cases involving property, pensions, business interests and more complex financial arrangements.

Whether your divorce was finalised recently or many years ago, we will give you clear, practical advice so you can move forward with confidence.

To speak with one of our Divorce Lawyers, call us today or complete the form below, and we’ll be in touch.

Why Financial Disclosure Matters

Financial disclosure is often essential in post-divorce financial claims. Before a fair outcome can be reached, both parties usually need to provide clear information about their assets, income, pensions, debts and financial needs.

Disclosure may involve bank accounts, property values, mortgage details, pension information, business interests, loans, investments and income. If court proceedings are required, more formal disclosure may be needed.

Full and honest disclosure is important. If assets were hidden or important financial information was not provided, this may affect whether previous arrangements were fair and whether further legal steps are needed.

Why Resolving Financial Claims After Divorce Matters

Leaving financial matters unresolved after divorce can create uncertainty for many years. Even where both people separate amicably and believe they have dealt with everything informally, circumstances can change significantly over time.

A well-known example is Wyatt v Vince. The couple married in 1981, separated in 1984, and divorced in 1992. No final financial order was made at the time. Years later, Mr Vince built a successful green energy business, and Ms Wyatt later brought a financial claim. In 2015, the Supreme Court allowed her claim to proceed, despite the long delay, because the financial claims had never been formally dismissed by a court order.

The case was ultimately resolved in 2016, with Ms Wyatt receiving a £300,000 lump sum in full and final settlement of her financial claims.

The circumstances were unusual, and a post-divorce claim will not automatically succeed simply because no order was made. However, the case clearly shows why it is risky to leave financial claims unresolved. A legally binding financial order can help draw a clear line under the financial relationship and reduce the risk of unexpected claims in the future.

How Pinnington Law Can Help

We can help with all aspects of post-divorce financial claims, whether you want to prevent future claims, bring a claim or respond to one.

If agreement is possible, we can help you reach clear terms and ensure they are properly recorded in a legally binding financial order. If matters are disputed, we can guide you through negotiation, disclosure and financial remedy proceedings where required.

We will explain your options clearly, help you understand the risks and provide practical advice focused on achieving certainty for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions for Post Divorce Finance Claims