Your Financial Settlement Experts

Your financial future is too important to leave to chance.

When a relationship ends, sorting out finances can feel like the most daunting part

At Manak Solicitors, we make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, helping you reach a fair settlement that protects what matters most to you.

Financial Settlements matters we advise on

We provide a full range of family law services, supporting individuals and families through some of life’s most important and often challenging moments. Our approach is straightforward: clear advice, practical solutions, and a focus on resolving matters as efficiently and constructively as possible.

Division of property and assets

Working out who gets what is rarely simple, particularly when a family home is involved or when assets have grown significantly during a marriage. We help you reach a fair division through negotiation where possible, and through a consent order or court application where needed. The goal is always an outcome that reflects what you actually need going forward.

Spousal maintenance

Where there is a significant difference in income, or where one partner has spent years out of the workforce to raise children, maintenance arrangements need to be fair and genuinely sustainable. We look at the full picture, current income, future earning capacity, the needs of any children, and advise on an arrangement that holds up over time, not just in the short term.

Children and financial provision

Financial arrangements for children go beyond monthly maintenance. Schooling, housing stability, activities, and the costs that come with children growing up all need to be considered. We make sure the financial side of your children’s future is properly thought through and legally protected, so it doesn’t need to be revisited every few years.

Pension sharing orders

Pensions are often the largest financial asset in a marriage and the one most easily overlooked in a settlement. We make sure yours are properly valued by an independent expert, and that any division accurately reflects their long-term worth. Leaving pensions out of a settlement, or agreeing a figure without proper advice — is one of the most common and costly mistakes people make.

Business interests

When one or both partners own a business, a financial settlement becomes considerably more involved. The business needs to be properly valued, which often means working with specialist forensic accountants, and the settlement needs to protect the business as a going concern while still being fair to both parties. We have extensive experience handling these cases and work with the right experts to make sure nothing is missed.

Clean break orders

A clean break order is the legal instrument that closes the financial relationship between you and your former partner for good. It prevents either party from making future financial claims against the other, which matters more than most people realise, particularly if circumstances change significantly down the line. We’ll advise you on whether a clean break is right for your situation and handle the application from start to finish.

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What to expect when you work with us?

We know that uncertainty makes a difficult situation harder. Here is exactly what our process looks like, from your first call to a finalised settlement.

Free Initial Consultation

Your first call with us is free and completely without obligation. We want to understand your situation properly before we say anything about what we’d recommend. You should leave that call feeling clearer about where you stand, not overwhelmed with legal information you weren’t ready for.

Full financial disclosure

Both parties are legally required to disclose their complete financial position. We guide you through this carefully, making sure nothing is missed and that the information provided is accurate. If we have any reason to believe full disclosure isn’t happening on the other side, we know how to address it.

Negotiation and reaching an agreement

Court should always be the last resort, not the first move. We work to reach an agreement through negotiation or, where appropriate, mediation. This is almost always faster, less expensive, and less stressful than litigation and the outcomes are often better because both parties have had a hand in reaching them.

Making it legally binding

An agreement is only as strong as the legal document behind it. Once terms are agreed, we draft a consent order and submit it to the court for approval, making the settlement enforceable. If court proceedings become necessary, we represent you clearly and keep you informed at every hearing.

Your settlement, confirmed

With a finalised, court-approved settlement in place, you have a clear and enforceable financial arrangement that lets you move forward. We make sure you understand exactly what has been agreed and what it means for you before we close the file.

Why Choose us to handle your Financial Settlement?

Our team has been handling financial settlements for over twenty years, across every level of complexity. We’ve worked on cases involving hidden assets, business valuations, international property, and pension disputes — and that depth of experience means we prepare our clients for what’s actually likely to happen, not just the best case scenario. We’re rarely surprised by what comes up, and when it does, we know what to do.

One thing we hear consistently from clients is that they didn’t feel judged, and that they always knew where things stood. We explain everything in plain language before you’re asked to agree to anything. Legal processes can feel impenetrable from the outside, and part of our job is making sure they don’t feel that way for you.

We also try hard to keep things out of court wherever we can. Litigation is expensive, slow, and takes a significant emotional toll. We pursue negotiated and mediated solutions first, and only recommend court proceedings when we genuinely believe it’s in your best interests to do so. That approach saves our clients time and money, and in most cases, produces better outcomes.

Manak Solicitors holds Lexcel accreditation, the Law Society’s quality standard for practice management and client care. It’s an independently verified mark that covers everything from how we run your case to how we communicate with you, and it means you can be confident you’re working with a firm that is held to a rigorous, externally audited standard.

Local & Accessible

With offices in Sevenoaks, Orpington, Gravesend, London, and Biggin Hill, we are never far away. For those who prefer speed and convenience, our secure online systems- including our trademarked Instant Instruct tool- allow you to begin your case entirely online, without ever compromising on personal service.

Lightning.

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Finanicial Settlement Questions

Do I have to go to court to reach a financial settlement?

No, and in most cases, you won’t need to. The majority of financial settlements are reached through negotiation between solicitors, or through mediation, without either party setting foot in a courtroom. Court becomes necessary when an agreement genuinely cannot be reached, and even then, many cases settle before a final hearing. We always explore every avenue before recommending that route.

How long does a financial settlement take?

It depends on how complex your finances are and how constructively both parties engage. A straightforward case where both parties are cooperative can be concluded in a few months. Cases involving businesses, disputed valuations, or significant conflict can take considerably longer. We’ll give you a realistic estimate at the start, and we’ll keep you updated if anything changes.

What if my ex-partner is hiding assets?

Full financial disclosure is a legal requirement, not a request. If you have reason to believe your former partner isn’t being transparent, there are formal legal mechanisms we can use — including applying to the court for disclosure orders and working with forensic accountants to investigate. We take this seriously, and we know how to pursue it effectively.

Can we sort out finances without divorcing?

Yes. If you are separating but not yet divorcing, or if you are an unmarried couple, we can still help you put formal financial arrangements in place that are legally recognised and protect both parties. The process is different, but the goal is the same — clarity and security for both of you.

How much does a financial settlement solicitor cost?

Costs depend on how complex your case is and how straightforwardly both parties engage. We are transparent about fees from the outset and will always give you a clear picture of likely costs at your first consultation. There are no hidden charges, and we’ll tell you honestly if the scope of the work changes.