Divorce Settlement Solicitors in Manchester

The law recognises that both parties may still have financial commitments to one another, so a divorce settlement is the process by which these financial commitments are addressed, ensuring that both parties are treated appropriately and that future disputes are avoided.

It’s a notoriously complex and discretionary area of law, which is exactly why it’s so important to get professional legal advice to protect your assets and income. That’s exactly where we can help here at Slater Heelis – with well over a century of history to our name, we have all the knowledge, expertise and experience we need to get you a solid divorce financial settlement in Manchester.

What is a divorce financial settlement?

A divorce settlement is a legally binding financial agreement that sets out how assets, income, and financial responsibilities will be divided when a marriage or civil partnership comes to an end. Crucially, it provides a structured framework that defines how property, savings, pensions, investments, debts, and other financial interests will be managed after separation. The settlement also ensures that any ongoing responsibilities, such as housing and supporting children, are properly accounted for.

This can include the division of property and other shared assets, savings and investments, pensions and business interests, as well as outstanding debts or liabilities. The settlement will also ensure that appropriate provision is made for dependent children.

How is a financial settlement calculated?

When considering a financial settlement, the court looks at a number of key factors before approving or imposing an order. These include:

• The income and earning capacity of each party
• The financial needs and responsibilities of each party
• The duration of the marriage or civil partnership
• The standard of living during the relationship
• The age of each party and their future needs
• The value of property, pensions, investments, and other assets
• The needs of dependent children

This approach ensures that both immediate requirements and longer-term security are taken into account, providing clarity for both you and your partner once your marriage or civil partnership has legally ended.

What’s the process of getting a divorce settlement?

The process generally begins with both parties providing full financial disclosure to each other, usually through the exchange of detailed financial statements. These documents set out income, property, savings, pensions, debts, and any other relevant financial information. Solicitors like our team here at Slater Heelis then review these disclosures to identify the available assets and liabilities, which then form the basis for negotiations.

These negotiations can take place in several ways. You may be able to agree directly with your partner, or alternatively negotiate through your solicitors. It’s also not unusual to use mediation sessions to reach common ground in a structured setting. Where an agreement’s reached, that enables solicitors like our team to draft a consent order, which is submitted to the court for approval. Once approved, it becomes legally binding.

However, if you can’t reach an agreement with your partner, one of you may choose to apply to the court for a financial order. In these cases, a judge will examine the evidence, hear arguments from each one of you, and make a ruling on how assets and responsibilities should be divided. This formal route usually takes longer and involves several hearings, but it ensures that a final settlement’s imposed when agreement isn’t possible.

What is a clean break order?

A clean break order is a type of financial order that formally severs financial ties between former spouses. Once granted, neither party can make future claims against the other’s income, property, or assets. This means that once the settlement’s completed, you are both free from any ongoing financial obligations to each other.

Clean break orders are often appropriate where there are no continuing commitments such as spousal maintenance. They’re designed to provide a sense of closure, making it clear that financial matters have been fully resolved. The application carries a court fee of £253, in addition to any legal costs, and it’s important to have the order drafted carefully to ensure it reflects the intended finality.

How can we help at Slater Heelis?

Our experienced family law team a long history of in-depth expertise in divorce financial settlements. That means we can assist with the full disclosure process, and ensure that all relevant assets, liabilities, and income sources are properly documented and considered. We can also negotiate on your behalf to secure settlements that reflect your needs, including pensions, business interests, and property arrangements, and prepare consent orders to make agreements legally binding.

In any instances where disputes can’t be resolved, we represent you in court applications for financial orders and clean break orders.

Our services around divorce financial settlements in Manchester come under our wider range of family law services, which also include:

Divorce proceedings – managing all the legal steps required to end your marriage and representing you where necessary.
Child arrangements – helping you decide where children live, how time is shared, and how key decisions are made.
Mediation – guiding constructive discussions with your spouse to resolve issues and agree practical next steps.
Arbitration – offering an alternative to court by securing a binding decision from an independent arbitrator.
Spousal maintenance – advising on applications for financial support or defending claims made during divorce proceedings.

Why choose our Manchester solicitors?

At Slater Heelis, we’ve been supporting individuals and families in Manchester and across Greater Manchester for over 250 years. We’re recognised by leading legal directories such as The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, and we’re known for delivering clear, practical advice without unnecessary jargon. We combine our peerless legal expertise with a sensitive and approachable manner, helping you navigate what can be one of the most challenging times in your life.

We’ve built an outstanding reputation for securing appropriate outcomes in divorce financial settlements, including complex and high-value cases. Whether through negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings, you can always rely on us to focus on protecting your financial position and helping you plan for the future.

Where to find our Manchester office

You can visit our divorce solicitors at:

The Apiary
86 Deansgate
Manchester
M3 2ER

Our office’s located in the heart of the city, just a 10-minute walk from Victoria train station. There are also several Metrolink stops nearby, including Exchange Square and St. Peter’s Square. If you’re travelling by car, a number of car parks are available close to Deansgate, enabling us to regularly assist clients in central Manchester but also in Salford, Trafford, Stockport and the wider Greater Manchester area. The building’s fully accessible with ground-floor meeting rooms.

Contact our Manchester divorce solicitors today

If you need expert advice on a divorce settlement, our solicitors in Manchester are here to help.

To get started, you can contact us by:

• Calling us on 0161 969 3131
• Filling in our online contact form

Whatever your circumstances, we’ll focus on giving you practical advice that’s tailored to your situation, so that we can resolve your issue efficiently and give you proper peace of mind.