“After a poor experience with a previous solicitor, I was very impressed with the professional set up at Purcell Solicitors. Lisa is extremely well organised with meticulous attention to detail. Her legal knowledge is extensive and always accurate, she prepares reports and documentation in a timely manner and has always kept me updated on a regular basis, by phone and by email. Her approach is always empathetic, with a very good awareness and understanding of the stress and pressures on me, whilst involved in the divorce process. When I needed to consult a barrister, she made an excellent recommendation. At times she had to tell me things that perhaps I didn’t want to hear, but she did it in a clear, thoughtful and supportive way. I had complete trust in her professionalism, her advice and her way of working, as I knew she had my best interests at heart. I can certainly recommend Lisa as a family lawyer.” – Review Solicitors
How we can help
Expert advice from specialist divorce financial settlement solicitors on complex financial matters, asset division, and securing long-term financial stability during divorce
Purcell Solicitors is a specialist family law firm providing expert, commercially astute, and practical legal advice on financial settlements on divorce. Our divorce financial settlement Solicitors are ranked in Chambers and Partners for family and divorce law and have represented clients in Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, and the wider Thames Valley and South East including London for over 20 years. We established our firm in 2005 with a clear focus to handle complex and high-net-worth financial settlements and family law matters with the rigour, meticulous strategy, and compassion they demand.
Our extensive combined experience in divorce financial settlements means we can advise on intricate matters such as business assets, pensions, multiple properties, and overseas investments with precision, care, and tenacity. We are not just another family law firm. We are a tight-knit team dedicated to protecting your financial interests and securing the best possible outcome. We will guide you through your financial settlement, property division, maintenance arrangements, and separation agreements with clarity and care.
As members of Resolution, we prioritise amicable resolution wherever possible, offering collaborative law, mediation, early neutral evaluation, and family arbitration alongside traditional Family Court representation.
We are absolutely committed to treating you with the care and understanding you deserve. We know that your family’s circumstances are unique, and we never lose sight of that. Whether your case involves straightforward asset division, complex business interests, pensions, or overseas property, we bring both analytical rigour and genuine human compassion to every case.
By entrusting one of our Divorce Financial Settlement Solicitors to handle the negotiation and drafting of your settlement on your behalf, you can remove much of the stress and worry from your shoulders. Choosing us lets you focus on your needs and your children’s well-being.
You can be confident that we will find the most cost-effective, fair, and lasting solutions for your situation and will keep you informed at every stage of your case.
Get in touch today to discuss your situation in complete confidence.
Get in touch today to discuss your situation in complete confidence.
Purcell Solicitors is where expert legal knowledge meets genuine human understanding. Your family deserves both.
We will work with you and advise you in relation to:
Initial advice on how and when to start the divorce, separation, or civil partnership dissolution process.
Understanding the full scope of your family finances and assets.
Financial settlements on divorce, including property, savings, debts, and business valuation and division.
Pensions – assessing and dividing pension provision.
Spousal maintenance and child maintenance arrangements
Clean break and consent orders to make agreements final and legally binding.
Mediation, collaborative law and arbitration.
Early neutral evaluation and private FDRs.
Family mediation and arbitration.
Representation in financial remedy proceedings at court where needed.
Our Experts
Who we are
Our core financial settlement team is made up of
Pauline Purcell, Managing Director, Family Solicitor, Mediator, Collaborative Lawyer and Family Arbitrator, with over 30 years of experience.
Mandi Austin, Director, Family Law Solicitor, a member of Resolution and an accredited specialist on the Law Society Family Law Panel, with over 25 years of experience in family law as a qualified solicitor.
Lisa Buckridge, Director, Family Law Solicitor, Collaborative Lawyer, Family Mediation Council-accredited Mediator, and fully accredited in Child Inclusive Mediation, with over 20 years of experience in family law
Haidee French – Family Law Solicitor, a Member of Resolution and an accredited specialist on the Law Society Family Law Panel with over 12 years of experience in family law
As members of Resolution, we are bound by a Code of Practice that reflects our philosophy. Regardless of the circumstances of your case, we work towards fair, dignified outcomes that protect your interests and your children’s well-being. We have spent more than 20 years proving that excellent legal representation doesn’t need to be aggressive or cost-prohibitive. Instead, it demands clarity, strategic thinking, and an unwavering focus on what truly matters to you and your family.
There is no automatic rule. Courts consider multiple factors: children's welfare comes first; the parent who provides the children's main home can have priority to remain in the family home but this is not always the case; financial needs and resources of each person, including whether each can afford to buy out the other's share or purchase alternative housing; income and earning capacity; length of marriage; and contributions. Common outcomes include selling the property and dividing proceeds, transferring it to one person who buys out the other's share or offsets it against other assets, or deferring the sale until a specified event, such as the youngest child turning 18, with the primary carer remaining until then.
Do I need a financial settlement if we’ve agreed on everything?
Yes. Even if you and your former partner have reached an agreement between yourselves, it must be formalised through a legally binding Consent Order approved by the court. Without this, either of you can return to court years later to make further financial claims. Only a Consent Order provides finality and protection for both parties.
Do I need a solicitor for my financial settlement?
Whilst you are not legally required to use a solicitor, expert legal advice is strongly recommended. A solicitor can help you understand your rights, ensure any agreement truly protects your interests, negotiate on your behalf, draft a legally binding Consent Order, and represent you if court proceedings become necessary.
You should instruct a solicitor if:
You and your former partner cannot agree on dividing finances, assets, and/or property
You have significant assets to divide, such as property, pensions, and/or a business
There is no history of domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, or imbalance in power
You need advice on whether a proposed settlement is fair and meets your long-term needs
Your former partner has instructed their own solicitor
Your case involves complex financial structures, overseas assets, or business interests
Even in amicable cases, initial legal advice helps you understand your rights and ensures any agreement truly protects your interests and your children's welfare.
Financial Settlements for Children
Ensuring children are provided for, both financially and emotionally is the number one priority for both parents. We can help you secure financial provision for your children, putting your mind at rest and allowing you to focus on the future.
How are finances divided in a financial settlement?
English law does not mandate a 50/50 split. Courts consider multiple factors when deciding financial division: needs (what each person requires to rehouse and live reasonably), children's welfare as the first consideration, the standard of living during the marriage, age and health of each party, current and future income and earning capacity, contributions (both financial and non-financial, including childcare and homemaking), and the length of the marriage.
Non-matrimonial assets, such as those brought into the marriage, inherited property, or property acquired post-separation, are generally not automatically shared but may be included in a settlement if needed to meet essential housing or other needs. Specialist advice on this is important before reaching any agreement.
How do I find a good financial settlement solicitor?
Specialisation comes first. Choose a solicitor who focuses exclusively or primarily on family law. Financial settlements involve complex matters that require specific expertise and experience.
Experience matters. If you have significant assets or a complex case, choose solicitors with proven experience in cases like yours. Look at their track record.
Look at their approach. Some solicitors take an adversarial stance, whilst others focus on collaborative resolution. At Purcell Solicitors, we are skilled in all forms of dispute resolution and will recommend the most appropriate route for your circumstances. We aim for out-of-court solutions that are more cost-effective and less acrimonious. However, if court proceedings are necessary, we are skilled negotiators and advocates who will robustly represent your interests.
Communication style matters. You will work closely with your solicitor during a difficult time. Choose someone whom you trust and who explains things clearly, responds promptly, and makes you feel heard and supported. Working with a warm, empathetic solicitor who listens carefully can make the whole process more manageable.
Consider the fee structure. Ensure you understand how you will be billed and the available payment options. Concerns about affordability should not prevent you from seeking initial legal advice.
How is a Finance Settlement Reached?
We will start by helping and advising you to achieve a fair financial settlement. This can then be made into a Court Order by consent within divorce proceedings, or a Separation Agreement if you are not to divorce. The agreement can be reached following advice and negotiations in our Resolution Together process or through mediation, collaborative law or traditional lawyer-led negotiation.
If a financial settlement cannot be agreed upon, Court or arbitration proceedings may be necessary and an agreement can still be reached and a Consent Order made. If an agreement cannot be reached, the Judge or Arbitrator will make a binding decision which will become a Court Order.
How long does a financial settlement take?
Timeframes depend on the complexity of your property and assets and how quickly both parties can provide full disclosure and engage in discussions. Straightforward cases with cooperative parties can sometimes be concluded in a few months. More complex or contested situations, particularly those involving court proceedings, may take 9–18 months or longer. Our experience is that very few cases proceed to a final court hearing; the vast majority settle through negotiation or non-court dispute-resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration.
How much does a financial settlement cost?
We offer an initial meeting to discuss and advise on these issues at a fixed fee of £300 inclusive of VAT. We can then provide you with an estimate of the likely costs of our advising and representing you after the first meeting. The costs will depend on the complexity of the issues, the Solicitor who deals with your matter, the process method you adopt, and whether you reach an agreement or the issues are determined by the Court. Our pricing page provides further details of our fees.
We do everything possible to help our clients resolve matters through non-court dispute resolution methods to minimise cost and stress.
Using an experienced Family Law Solicitor to advise and represent you in a divorce financial settlement often saves money in the long term. We can advise on the most cost-effective route for your circumstances and help you avoid expensive mistakes that could affect your financial position for years to come.
What about pensions in a financial settlement?
Pensions are treated as marital assets and can be divided in a number of ways: Pension Sharing Orders (where a percentage or amount is transferred to the other party), Pension Attachment Orders (where the other party receives a share of pension income when it is drawn), or offsetting (where the pension value is offset against other assets such as property). Due to the complexity and tax implications, expert pension advice is essential.
What are the different routes to reaching a financial settlement?
There are several options, each suited to different circumstances:
Direct negotiation with the support of your solicitor, including structured correspondence and round-table meetings
Mediation, where a neutral mediator facilitates discussions to help you reach an agreement, often with solicitors involved for advice and support
Collaborative law, involving a series of four-way meetings with both parties and their solicitors, all committed to resolving matters without court
Arbitration, where a private arbitrator makes a binding decision on your financial settlement
Early neutral evaluation and private FDRs, where a specialist gives a non-binding indication of likely court outcomes
Court proceedings, if other methods are unsuitable or exhausted, with representation through financial remedy proceedings and robust advocacy for the best outcome
What if we cannot agree on a financial settlement?
If you cannot reach an agreement through negotiation or non-court dispute resolution, we can file proceedings at the Family Court. The court can make financial remedy orders, including orders for the sale or transfer of property, lump-sum payments, maintenance orders, and pension-sharing orders. The court will apply the legal test of fairness based on the factors set out above. We are skilled negotiators and advocates who will robustly represent your interests in court to obtain the best possible outcome.
What is a divorce financial settlement?
A financial settlement is a legal agreement or court order that divides your marital assets, including property, savings, pensions, investments, and debts, fairly between you and your former partner. It also addresses maintenance arrangements and ensures that both parties and any children can move forward with financial security.
What questions should I ask a financial settlement solicitor at my first meeting?
Your initial consultation is your opportunity to assess whether the solicitor is right for you and to understand what lies ahead.
Ask about their experience. How long have they practised family law? Have they handled cases similar to yours? What accreditations do they hold? This helps you gauge whether they have the expertise your situation requires.
Discuss fees clearly. What is their hourly rate or fixed fee? What payment options do they offer? How often will you be billed? What expenses might arise beyond their fees? Understanding costs upfront prevents surprises later.
Ask about timelines. How long do they expect your case to take? What factors might extend the timeline? This helps you plan and understand what to expect realistically.
Explore their approach. Do they favour negotiation and mediation or court proceedings? How will they communicate with your former partner's solicitor? At Purcell, we are skilled in all forms of dispute resolution and will recommend the most appropriate route for your circumstances.
Ask practical questions. Who will handle your case day-to-day? How quickly can you expect responses to emails or calls? Will you have direct access to your solicitor, or will you primarily work with their assistant?
Most importantly, ask about likely outcomes. Whilst no solicitor can guarantee results, an experienced practitioner can provide realistic parameters for financial settlements based on your specific circumstances.
Why do I need a Finance Settlement?
Having a financial settlement in place means your finances, and future finances, are secure. On a divorce you will have a Court Order, giving you and your former partner the security of a legally binding financial settlement. On a separation, there will be a binding agreement in place to best protect you pending formal divorce.
