In UK family law, splitting finances during a divorce does not automatically result in an equal division. Courts examine various elements to guarantee a just and balanced division for both individuals.
The length of the marriage and pre marital assets can influence the court’s decisions, particularly regarding how much weight is given to pre-marriage assets and the expected standard of living after the divorce.
Although equality is the initial benchmark, the final division is determined by several aspects including:
- Needs: The court prioritises the necessities of both spouses and any children from the marriage, considering housing, income, and potential to earn in the future.
- Contributions: The court values both financial inputs and non-monetary contributions like homemaking or childcare.
- Lifestyle: The family's standard of living before the marriage ended is taken into account.
- Age and Health: These factors are considered as they impact earning potential and requirements.
- Financial Resources: This includes current income, ability to earn, properties, and prospective financial situations.
- Marriage Length: Though equality is emphasised in longer marriages (often seen as over 10 years), however 5-10 years marriage still holds significant weight in asset division.
- Contributions to the Marriage: Both financial investments and non-monetary efforts are evaluated.
- Potential Losses: The court assesses any financial losses resulting from the divorce.
Each case is unique, with the court having extensive discretion to establish fairness.
Assets introduced by one spouse may be considered, affected by the marriage duration and whether those assets were shared or benefited the family.
It's recommended to seek advice for personalised guidance in a divorce scenario.