# Financial settlements > Financial settlement solicitors handle disclosure, negotiations and consent orders to divide assets, income and pensions on divorce or dissolution. Last updated: 2026-11-12 # Financial settlement solicitors for divorce and dissolution A financial settlement decides how your assets, income and pensions are dealt with when your marriage or civil partnership ends. When you instruct Rushton Family Law, we handle the whole process, from the first exchange of financial information through to an order that makes the settlement final. ### Financial settlements at a glance - A financial settlement decides how assets, income and pensions are divided when a marriage or civil partnership ends. - Every settlement starts with full financial disclosure from both of you. - Most settlements are agreed without a contested court hearing. - An agreement only becomes legally binding once the court approves it as a consent order. - If you can’t agree, the court process usually has three stages: a first appointment, an FDR hearing and a final hearing. [Book my free consultation](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/contact) ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2601/174-33-def/rushton-family-law-white.png) #### Specialist Divorce and Family Lawyers Rushton provides discreet representation for divorce, financial settlements, and arrangements for children. We treat every case with the care it deserves, without losing sight of what actually needs to get done. [Contact us](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/contact) When it really matters # Getting advice on your financial settlement We start by building a clear picture of the finances. That means what you own together and separately, what each of you earns, and what you will each need going forward, particularly if there are children. Where assets are harder to pin down, such as a business, a share scheme or a pension that needs specialist valuation, we identify that early and plan how to deal with it. From there, we will give you a view of the likely range of outcomes and advise on how to approach negotiations. ### Financial disclosure Every settlement starts with both of you giving full and honest disclosure of your finances. We prepare your disclosure, review your spouse’s, and raise questions where something is missing or unclear. ### Reaching a financial agreement Most settlements are agreed through negotiation between solicitors, mediation or arbitration. We negotiate on your behalf and advise you on whether an offer is worth accepting. Once terms are agreed, we draft a consent order and submit it to the court for approval, which makes the agreement legally binding. ### Financial remedy proceedings Where agreement can’t be reached, either of you can apply to court for a financial order. The case usually passes through three stages: - **First appointment.** The court sets directions for disclosure and any expert evidence. - **Financial dispute resolution (FDR) hearing.** A judge gives an indication of the likely outcome to help you settle. - **Final hearing.** If the case still hasn’t settled, the judge decides. Most cases settle before the final hearing. We advise you at each stage on whether settlement is achievable and act for you throughout. 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We advise on all areas of family law and bring the same care and high standard to every family we work with. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3099/398-535-def/nicola-398x535.jpg) [Nicola Jones](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/team/nicola-jones) [Partner - Divorce & Family](https://) ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3100/398-535-def/amie-398x535.jpg) Amie Pine Partner - Divorce & Family ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3139/398-535-def/emma-398x535.jpg) Emma Shortland Associate ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3116/398-535-def/ella-398x535.jpg) Ella Perry Assistant Solicitor ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3107/398-535-def/samantha-398x535.jpg) Samantha Patel Legal Support Assistant ### Reviews and testimonials ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Firstly, Amie Pine. This particular solicitor is an absolute master of her craft. She's knowledgeable, caring, understandable, professional and always one step ahead ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) The second person I would like to mention in my review is Emma Shortland. Her knowledge of the law is incredible. Please don't let her age put you off, as upon those very young shoulders is a very wise head. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Amie was brilliant helping me through and managing my divorce financials both professionally and personally, cannot recommend enough, thanks again Amie! ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) I recently went through a difficult divorce, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by my solicitor, Amie Pine. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) From the very beginning, Amie provided clear, concise guidance and her expertise, professionalism, and compassion made a significant difference during this challenging time. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Amie was always available to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they seemed, and provided reassurance during the most stressful moments. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Amie was not only a legal advisor but also a pillar of support, helping me navigate the emotional and financial aspects. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Thank you, Amie, for making a difficult time more manageable and for helping me move forward with my life. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Amie Pine has helped me get through a financially and emotionally challenging divorce with great empathy, expert advice and the utmost professionalism. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) She is always responsive and worked quickly to ensure the matter progressed despite the other party's delays and unreasonable demands. Thank you Amie - it's been a real pleasure having you represent me. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Nicola and the team are the best support you could ask for at the most difficult of times. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) As well as being knowledgeable, forward thinking, organised and hard-working, [Nicola] has empathy and goes above and beyond for her clients. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) I feel safer and not alone, knowing that I have Nicola's support - securing her to act for me was a huge weight lifted. No matter what the result, I am confident that she will have secured the best outcome possible. ### outstanding legal representation when it really matters ### FAQs #### What does the court consider when deciding a financial settlement? Each person’s income, earning capacity, assets and needs, the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, each person’s age and health, and the contributions each of you has made. The children’s welfare comes first. #### Do I need a consent order if we have agreed everything? Yes. Without a court order, your agreement isn’t legally binding, and financial claims between you remain open, even after the divorce is finalised. #### What can I do if my spouse is hiding assets? Both of you have a legal duty to give full financial disclosure, and the court can order further disclosure and draw conclusions against a spouse who doesn’t comply. If assets are being moved to defeat your claim, an urgent freezing injunction may be possible. #### Will we need expert valuations in our financial settlement? It depends on your assets. A home can often be valued by agreement, but businesses, complex pensions and some investments usually need an expert, normally one instructed jointly by both of you. #### Does adultery or bad behaviour affect the financial settlement? Rarely. The court only takes conduct into account in exceptional cases, such as where one spouse has deliberately wasted or hidden assets. #### Who pays the legal costs in financial proceedings? Usually, each of you pays your own. The court can order one party to pay the other’s costs where they have behaved unreasonably, for example by refusing to negotiate or failing to disclose their finances. ### How we work An experienced family solicitor will run your matter from the first meeting onwards, and you will deal with them directly rather than being passed between members of a team. Part of their job is to help you decide where your time and money are best spent. In most divorces there are points worth pressing and points that make little difference to the end result, and we will be straightforward with you about which is which. A lot of matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation, and where that is realistic we will recommend it. Where it is not, because the other side will not engage, or disclosure is incomplete, or the issues are genuinely contested, we will advise you on taking the matter to court and act for you there. **Rushton Family Law is the sister brand of Vardags. If your case involves complex finances or international issues, we will introduce you to the Vardags team.** [Book a consultation](#callback) ### Request a confidential call Please share a few details about your circumstances and one of our specialist family lawyers will contact you at a convenient time. If a telephone call is not suitable, please let us know your preferred method of contact. [Get in touch](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/contact)