Recommendations please - Financial advisor for divorce settlement help - London

[Betty777]

Can anyone recommend someone in London (ideally South or central) who is good at explaining things to finance novices without jargon.
I understand little about £££ and mortgages - but am catching up quickly!

I am looking for help mainly with mortgage queries to know what I should fight for when we start mediation. I don't need mortgage rates advice specifically, I have that already: more that I need to understand risks and benefits of all my mortgage options (i.e. I could rent and buy in a couple of years, or buy something now, or accept ex's potential offer to loan me a large chunk of equity to be repaid down the line (he earns a lot more than me and I can't get a big enough mortgage)

I have been on Unbiased.co.uk to search for a FA but not particularly keen on the one who has contacted me. Thought there must be a market for London wives needing divorce/property advice from someone with plenty of experience in that specifically??

Any recommends welcome. Thanks!

I've used that site myself in the past - I usually do the 'search locally' thing as it gives you a list instead of just picking one for you. Otherwise I'm north of London so the one I used probably isn't close enoguh for you...

What you should fight for in mediation is more of a divorce solicitor's remit I would have thought.. I work for FA's who could help with the risks and benefits of the options regarding buying/renting property but the settlement from your XH sounds more legal to me? Sounds like you need the settlement first then advice what to do with it?

Outnumbered - yes of course, I have a good lawyer on it.
But there are a few options my ex has offered - e.g. if he gives me bigger lump sum I will likely get smaller monthly maintenance, or vice versa. May not be able to afford to buy where I want to (tied to pricey area due to school) so wondering if I need to rent and then maybe buy an investment property somewhere cheaper? Am confused by the options and what might work best in the long run

Louise, thanks - will take another look and check for that function

I use David Martin at Cavendish Brooke. Not for a divorce but for general matters. I find him knowledgeable, dedicated in helping me navigate a complicated world and rather kind.

Go for a larger lump sum. Exh resent paying SM and their new partners even more so!

So he would be making you a capital payment plus potentially also a much bigger sum which would be a loan (because you cannot get a big mortgage on your income)? That would be unusual owing him that debt and having to repay it but it might mean you can buy a nicer place. Can't you just stay in the place where you are currently in instead?

Xenia - I could never afford the monthly payments on our current home/mortgage - even with his monthly support - and the house is too big and costly to be worth keeping for just me plus DC (plus I now hate being here)
But yes, he has suggested I take the majority of equity in the house, with a view to repaying when DC is much older. My salary won't finance a big mortgage and even with my 50% of the share of house sale would not be enough to buy around here
BUT - I'm scared at having such a large sum looming in my future to be repaid to him - as that would likely leave me in a screwed position in the future (and closer to retirement age) I think?? hence why i need advice

and I am very aware that my situation is much much better than many in my position that I even have this potential offer from him - am just trying to find the most sensible solution long term

Could he stay in the house then with the child? That is basically what we did but the other way round - higher earner kept the house to give the children that stability.