Overwhelmed by financial disclosure form before mediation and possible asset split

[MurphysColeslaw]

Feeling totally overwhelmed at filling in the financial disclosure form, I had no idea it would be so detailed.
I currently have no life, so I'm not spending on hair cuts and such like.
Does this mean it will affect the split of our assets? I do not know where to start.
We are supposed to be having financial mediation but they won't start until the forms are filled in and dh just wants a 50/50 split.

in my experience they don’t makes big difference

Your asset split will largely be determined by big ticket items to include

your length of marriage
your ages
your earnings and earnings potential
minor children
assets available

you can fill
in all types of expenditure needed but that won’t matter as your ex won’t be expected to fund them.

you will need to understand what your housing needs are

splits will start at 50:50 but can be adjusted up /down but will depend on the main items above rather than whether you list haircuts etc.50:50 or near may be reasonable and fair

ultimately in divorce there’s less money to go round by finding two homes not one

It made no difference in my case even though ex tried to argue I was overspending (by helping dc at uni a small amount) while he had far more luxury spending than me. He wasted time on something that was never going to change the overall outcome and made him seem needlessly petty.

It seems to me it’s only relevant if spousal maintenance is being sought or spending was excessive and draining assets. Sometimes people argue they can’t afford a mortgage when they have alot unnecessary spending that could be used for mortgage payments - eg they have an expensive car on finance.

Advicenow website has a form e guide and checklist that helps break it down.

Thank you both.
There isn't a huge amount of money to be divided, but my concern is my earning potential is low, so I don't know if a 50/50 split is reasonable?
He has a business, which I suspect he has not been investing in, so that it looks worthless. I am bottom rung of the ladder in retail management, with no chance of advancement.

What is your experience?. I have been on this forum for about a year and you always give advice on financial split. Are you a solicitor or involved in divorce in some other way?

Expenditure is to consider needs. It really only has a significant impact if there are significant assets and a large difference in what's left at the end of the month.

It doesn't need to be exactly accurate, just to get an idea of overall monthly spending.

Use something like this

https://citizensadviceenfield.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/budget-sheet.pdf

OP in the end of the day - they can only divide what there is. And if he is not on a huge income, it is unlikely that spousal maintenance can be argued for.

So - in your Needs/Costs - fill it our based on what you'd spend on your usual expenditures when you were living "normally" - not depressed and doing your hair, for e.g.
If you are planning to rent - look at suitable properties, and put that as your housing needs, etc.
No matter what you will put - he'll think it's too high. So, no point even worrying about it.

Just for you to manage expectations - it is not very likely that he'll agree to anything other than 50/50 asset split at mediation. Unless there is some sort of a leverage you have - health, that court may consider. Or your ownership of his business. Etc.