When it comes to dividing your financial assets, you could lose tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds if they are not reviewed and valued professionally. We have experience of such cases and the sooner we get involved the more likely it is we can help. Even if a financial agreement has been reached in principle it may not be too late to change it.
At Church's, we have the expertise to advise you on complex asset valuation, pension and tax planning opportunities. In addition, for divorce related work, we charge only for the time we spend on your affairs, just like your solicitor.
Pensions
Advising divorcing couples about what to do with pension arrangements is extremely complex. It is not always advisable to simply divide pensions on the basis of the "cash equivalent transfer value" (CETV). Our advisers are highly qualified in this specialist area, providing advice on:
- In depth analysis of all pension schemes - which to transfer
- Evaluation of the CETV *
- Equalising pension payments *
- State pensions
- Pension sharing orders, attachment orders and/or offsetting
- Implementing sharing orders and your options
(*Actuarial advice may be recommended)
Investments, other assets, tax planning
Both parties are required to disclose all their matrimonial assets at some stage during the divorce. These can often include complex investments such as unit trusts, share portfolios, share options, life insurance policies etc. In our experience, values can be significantly and incorrectly depressed, which can often go undetected.
We can evaluate the disclosures by either party and provide advice on:
- Valuation of shareholdings, unit trusts, life insurance policies etc.
- Capital gains tax and disposal costs
- Transfer and tax treatment of property
- Valuation of business interests and family trusts
- Investing to provide income
- Tax planning in year of separation
- Preparation of annual tax return
Your next step
If you are planning to divorce or are in the process of going through a divorce, we may be able to assist you, particularly where there are significant assets involved or pension schemes.
We offer a free initial meeting at our office (or with your solicitor if you prefer) to look at how we might help in your particular situation. This meeting should last about one hour. Please contact Paul Cobley on 01420 479463 to arrange a meeting.
Once you are divorced
Following divorce, you may find yourself having to consider tax, investments, pension planning and other major financial issues for the very first time. We can help you to make the most of your money and deal with all the financial planning and taxation issues that will arise.