WHAT DOES THE COURT CONSIDER WHEN SPLITTING ASSETS

The court has to consider section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 in order to make a decision as to how to divide your assets, incomes and liabilies.

The court considers all the circumstances of the case, giving first consideration to the welfare of any children of the family under the age of 18. The court then has regard to the following matters:

(a) The income, earning capacity, property and other financial resources which each spouse has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future including, in the case of earning capacity, any increase in that capacity which it would be, in the opinion of the court, reasonable to expect a person to take steps to acquire.

(b) The financial needs, obligations and responsibilities which each spouse has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future.

(c) The standard of living enjoyed by the family before the breakdown of the marriage.

(d) The ages of each spouse and the duration of the marriage.

(e) Any physical or mental disability of each spouse.

(f) The contributions which each spouse has made or is likely to make in the foreseeable future to the welfare of the family, including any contribution by looking after the home or caring for the family.

(g) The conduct of each spouse, if that conduct is such that it would in the opinion of the Court be inequitable to disregard.

(h) The value to each spouse of any benefit which one spouse because of the divorce will lose the chance of acquiring (most usually pension provision).

Amanda