Failing to disclose a new partner during financial settlement

[AL75]

Hello, I was wondering if there is anyone in this field to advise me. I divorced 2 years ago but the financial settlement is still on going. Decision will probably be made by court before the end of the year. My son sees his dad every other weekend and I have only found out recently that there is also a women staying there with a young child so obviously their relationship is serious enough for her to stay there. He has not disclosed this and I have read that information is important as both their financial capacity will be taken into account. I am trying to search on the internet who lives at his address but can’t find anything. Where can I go for this information and do I have to pay? I search on electoral register but can’t find anything. What if he denies having a new relationship and I don’t have evidence? Worried he’ll also tell my son off by letting me know of his relationship.

If he's supporting another family you may well find that this is in his favour financially. Less child maintenance to pay out for your son for example. Might be best to let sleeping dogs lie.

It is something that MAY be relevant, but your lawyer should be able to advise more. If it is simply a question of dividing the assets equally it matters little who he has living with him save for reduced child maintenance..

He should disclose it, though.

The key evidence would be if indeed, he's asked to reduce maintenance as he has another dependent. She is well-off, it could go in your favour, if she isn't and indeed, lost her benefits and therefore relying on your ex financially to make up the difference, it could go against you.

There is also the obvious situation that she stays there at times but still has her own place.

You wont get any more. When they say they take in their joint financial position, it doesn't mean you get some of her money if she earns a lot. It means if he has to support another child, you get less.

When you say ‘staying there’, does that mean living there?

Yes, I agree with others, this is highly unlikely to work in your favour.

You won't get more money because she is rich. However if he now has dependent children you WILL get less.

A few incorrect statements on here (not Collaborate's, obviously!). It is possible that her income may be seen as reducing his financial needs, thereby justifying the OP getting a larger slice of the pot. So it may be relevant but equally it may make no difference at all other than potentially reducing the amount of child maintenance.