What happens if he refuses financial disclosure?

[Beeebabababom]

I asked him to do a voluntry disclosure so that I can show his details to my solicitor to get advice on what offer I short start to negotiate with.

He was happy to give details until he saw that I needed his bank statements for the last year.

I earn 27,000 he earns 60,000 we are in our 30s with small pensions. We have been planning for him to buy me out as he has some inheritance money he can use. (Please don't tell me I'm entitled to 50% of that as I've never seen that as my money and it can be used to benefit me anyway as it means the kids will have some consistency since he can keep the house)

I don't want to take him to court as they moment we would be arguing over wouldn't be worth it so what now?

What happens next?

Thank you

If going down the court route, the judge at the directions hearing will list what documents have to be provided by both parties.

Best to agree amicably as court costs can soon erode the pot and has the following risks:

The courts may issue an order that neither party likes. This can be appealed, but that is more money to be taken from the pot.

After court costs, both parties may be worse off as; solicitor, barrister and court costs will be subtracted from any settlement order before the recipient receives payment.

When I divorced in 2016, the process was:

I filed for divorce and paid the court fee of GBP 410. Ex did not challenge the divorce, but rejected all financial offers made.

So, ex then files for financial settlement order as applicant and myself as respondent.

Next was the direction hearing which ex ignored.

Next were two Maintenance Pending Suits. The outcome was two cost orders in my favour as judges ruled that 100% of all assets being awarded to ex and joint lives spousal maintenance was excessive.

Last was the final hearing which ex did not attend