Property & Living Arrangements

When couples separate, agreeing on the short, medium and long-term living arrangements can be challenging. If they co-own a property, questions often arise about whether and when it should be sold, who may live there, and how and when the proceeds will be divided. Married couples who co-own a property face different legal considerations than those who own jointly but are not married. Deciding what to do with the property can lead to further issues, some of which may be unexpected.

In other cases, a council or housing association tenancy may need to be addressed, or the couple might share a private rental. One or both may even have to move in with friends or family, and in some situations, homelessness becomes a real concern. When children are involved, these housing and property matters become even more complex.

Managing these important, often complicated issues can feel overwhelming, especially during an already emotionally challenging time. The situation can sometimes escalate into a prolonged and bitter conflict. A mediator can help by providing a calm environment to explore options and share any relevant information the couple may not yet know.

It’s common for separating couples to be unaware of all relevant factors. There may be options they haven’t considered, or they might be weighing choices that have downsides they’re not aware of. A mediator can guide them through these issues systematically, helping them make well-informed decisions.

Finances

When couples separate, they often face the challenge of maintaining two households on the same—or sometimes even reduced—income. This can be extremely difficult, and in some cases, not possible at all. The stress and uncertainty of this situation can make even the calmest individuals feel overwhelmed and anxious.

Mediators are highly skilled at helping people explore their options in these circumstances, guiding them toward resources and ideas that may improve their situation. Although mediators cannot provide financial advice, they can offer practical, grounded information drawn from their extensive experience with similar cases, helping you consider potential solutions that might not have come to mind before.

Common financial issues for separating couples include child and spousal maintenance, debt, benefits, and pensions. While property matters are addressed separately, they are often closely tied to these other financial concerns.

There are no strict legal requirements governing most financial arrangements following separation, with the exception of child maintenance. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) offers a calculator to determine what the law stipulates for child support payments, though this serves only as a guideline. Separated parents are encouraged to make their own arrangements whenever possible, to avoid relying on CMS.

For other financial matters, each case is considered individually, and predicting how a judge might rule is challenging. Mediators are well-trained in handling these issues and have a wealth of experience helping people navigate them. They will work with you to assess your financial reality and identify the best options for everyone involved.

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Finances

When couples separate they are often faced with having to somehow afford to run two homes from the same, or less, income than they had previously. Usually this is very difficult and in some cases not possible at all.

Child Arrangements

The children may feel that their parents no longer being under one roof is a “disaster” and possibly that it was something to do with them. Sadly, the situation itself is not a “fair” one and everybody involved may feel that.

Divorce

Quite often separating couples can find the divorce process itself, the administrative process of dissolving the marriage, to be difficult. There can be uncertainty and disagreement about fundamental issues.

Call us for a FREE discussion on how SFMS can help:

01372 677 660

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