Help with divorce maths!

[Alwayssupportingdifference]

We have approx 500k house - 100k outstanding on mortgage and pensions - other assets of about 500k.

He has agreed to give me 60% sap on a keep property for me and kids. We’ll pay the mortgage off with savings.

Is it better for me to have a valuation of 450k or 500k for the house? Assuming I have control over valuation.

450 better do I get a less valuable asset
500 better because I’m getting a larger percentage

We are not selling house so it’s market valuation only.

Why won’t my brain let me work this out? In my situation is lower or higher value for house better. There won’t be a sale it’s just on paper.

help!

I wonder if no responses yet as not completely clear - eg didn't understand 'give me 60% sap on a keep property for me and kids.'

If you're getting more equity in the house means less in savings (fixed £ cash), then perhaps lower valuation is better. It depends on your agreement with assets, savings and pension.

For me, we assigned £x housing need to me, £y housing need to ex, then remaining equity was split with savings so 50/50. So the higher my housing need the less there was left that was split. The lower my housing need, the more there was left which he then got a portion of. Once I realised this, it helped in my negotiation.

I used a spreadsheet and modelled different scenarios as I couldn't get my head around it either! Just make sure you include all the different elements to work it out.

I think the OP is saying they have equity of £400k and savings/pension worth 500k. She will keep the equity in the house and receive £100k to pay off the mortgage. This she gets £500k and he gets £400k of assets.

The dilemma is whether the assets are being properly valued. She will end up with a house. He will get cash / pension maybe.

OP you won’t have control over the valuation. You will both have to agree what it is worth. Same with the pension.

if you want assurance you would need to convert the assets to cash. That could be expensive and inconvenient. For example sell the house, pension share and split the remaining cash.