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Ex’s financial settlement offer - fair?

56 replies

Starbuck80 · 29/11/2025 17:42

My ex has proposed the following through this solicitor - does it seem like a fair split?

Bit of background: together 12yrs, married 8.5 with two kids 5yrs and 2yrs. He’s a high earner (£230k) and I’ve been a sahm for 5yrs with an earning capacity of £35k. He is also announced that he will be reducing his days down to four in the New Year and thinks the children should be with him 4 nights per week as he can financially support them.

There is circa £820k marital funds with £375k in house, plus his £300k pension plus stocks and shares. I have a pension pot of £11k. He has a mortgage capacity of £900k while I have no mortgage capacity. He has £4.3million in US investments which is ringfenced but accessible if needs can not be met through marital assets.

Also, we live in SE London so a 3 bed property is £676-700k

Offer:
£375k house equity to be offered as half lump sum and half in trust for the children
£700 per month child maintenance (due to reduced hours and wanting the kids 4 nights)
£500 per month spousal, reducing to £175 per month in year 3.

He has also said that this offer is only valid if I do the following:

  • return to work immediately
  • let him have the kids 4 days per week sun-Weds so I have then Fri and Sat.
OP posts:
RumPidgeon · 09/08/2026 11:04

What pension provisions do you have? What has he offered? On the face of it it looks like an okay offer but I’m concerned that much will taper off in 3 years and once the kids turn 18 which could leave you in a financial mire further down the road. I’d be more interested in a large lump sum from him which you can then re-invest rather than being bound by monthly payments that could come to an abrupt halt. He sounds controlling re his demands - has either of you asked what the kids want to do?

Please get independent legal advice!!

millymollymoomoo · 09/08/2026 12:21

The kids are 5 and 2. They don’t get to be asked

op is coming out of this well based on all
the assets essentially being pre marital and only being sahm for 5 years. It doesn’t seem like she’s given up a high earning career herself.

overall based on ops update it seems a fair outcome for her / housed, spousal maintenance to get her back on her feet over 6 years by which time her eldest will be at secondary and youngest well into school and a high level of cms ongoing

JenRummy · 09/08/2026 20:51

Keep going OP. End at least in sight. Get legal advice before October hearing. Too important not to.

Starbuck80 · 10/08/2026 16:43

I’ve got a great solicitor and barrister who understand exactly what my ex is trying to do. They are measured but equality ready to fight my corner. I think I lucked out with them!

OP posts:
JenRummy · 10/08/2026 18:17

Starbuck80 · 10/08/2026 16:43

I’ve got a great solicitor and barrister who understand exactly what my ex is trying to do. They are measured but equality ready to fight my corner. I think I lucked out with them!

Great OP. Everything crossed for October. Final straight.

caringcarer · 10/08/2026 20:53

Insist upon pension sharing.

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