Talk me through the practicalities

[swimmingdory]

Hi

My husband and i are separating.

Aside from sorting sole bank accounts, resolving the equity in the property and coming to an arrangement re the children and child support.... what are the other things I need to do or sort out please.

Thanks

I would also like to know! I'm 9 weeks in and we haven't done anything practically apart from sort out the days he has the children and he's taken his clothes!

Settle amicably if you can. Draft a settlement that you are both happy with. Then run it by a Solicitor. Both of you will have to appoint your own solicitor as one solicitor can't represent both parties at the same time. They will be able to add the necessary wording to make it clear and unambiguous and can present the Consent Order to the Family Court. If the Judge thinks it is fair to both they will Stamp the Order and that will be the end.

Child maintenance is not usually dealt with bu the Courts, but you can use the online calculator as a starting point. However, better to let CMS make an assessment as it is binding in Law. Informal verbal agreements are not enforceable. CMS costs 20 pounds to make an assessment. If you are both sensible pay 10 each.

Additional Financial considerations are
-Pensions need to be evaluated.
-List of significant assets agreed; might be more than you think.
-Debt identified and agreed
-Housing needs agreed, temporary and permanent

You might also want to jointly agree what you are going to tell people, especially if there are children involved and you want to be amicable. This isn’t always possible but can protect you all from gossips and shit stirrers. These people don’t have your best interests at heart and will only serve to turn amicable into acrimony. That will cost you both.