[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/can-my-ex-claim-money-from-me-after-our-divorce\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/can-my-ex-claim-money-from-me-after-our-divorce\/","headline":"Can my ex claim money from me after our divorce?","name":"Can my ex claim money from me after our divorce?","description":"Quick answer \u2022 Yes, under the law of England and Wales your ex can make financial claims after divorce in specific circumstances provided no clean break order is in place. \u2022 Claims must usually relate to maintenance, capital division, pension sharing, or property adjustment. \u2022 Legal processes can apply so act promptly if you are [...]","datePublished":"2026-06-02","dateModified":"2026-06-02","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/author\/whyareyouhavingagome-com\/#Person","name":"Paul Outhwaite","url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/author\/whyareyouhavingagome-com\/","identifier":28,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/766019ec1247c2495f1d335b6132fd59.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/766019ec1247c2495f1d335b6132fd59.jpg","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"AlexanderJLO London Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/ajlo-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/ajlo-logo.png","width":460,"height":275}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_0253-scaled.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_0253-scaled.jpeg","height":1707,"width":2560},"url":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/can-my-ex-claim-money-from-me-after-our-divorce\/","about":["Finances on divorce"],"wordCount":956,"articleBody":"Quick answer\u2022 Yes, under the law of England and Wales your ex can make financial claims after divorce in specific circumstances provided no clean break order is in place.\u2022 Claims must usually relate to maintenance, capital division, pension sharing, or property adjustment.\u2022 Legal processes can apply so act promptly if you are concerned.Which financial claims are possible after divorce\u2022 Maintenance (spousal maintenance): periodic payments to support a former spouse who cannot meet reasonable needs.\u2022 Capital payments: lump sums to reflect contributions or needs.\u2022 Property adjustment orders: transferring or selling property to achieve a fair outcome.\u2022 Pension sharing orders: dividing pension assets between parties.\u2022 Clean break orders: one-off settlements that end ongoing financial obligations.Who can make a post-divorce claim\u2022 Either spouse can apply for financial relief under Part III of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.\u2022 Claims apply to legally married couples, not cohabitants (different rules apply).\u2022 Adult children do not make these claims directly though child maintenance has separate rules.Time limits and starting points\u2022Either spouse can apply for financial relief provided there is no clean break order in place. However, the Court will not have the jurisdiction to make many of the substantive orders, save for example in relation to maintenance, until the Conditional Order within divorce proceedings has been made.\u2022 Date of separation, financial disclosure and earlier court orders affect timing and scope.Factors the court considers\u200b\u2022 The welfare and needs of any children of the family.\u2022 Each spouse\u2019s income, earning capacity, property and financial resources.\u2022 Contributions during the marriage, both financial and non-financial, such as homemaking and childcare.\u2022 Standard of living during the marriage and the length of the marriage.\u2022 Age, health and any disability of either party.\u2022 Conduct only when it would be inequitable to disregard it.\u2022 The obligation to provide a clean break where appropriate.High-net-worth cases and complexity\u200b\u2022 Cases with substantial assets, complex investments, or international elements require specialist advice.\u2022 The court aims for fairness not strict equality, so settlements may reflect needs, contributions and future earning potential.\u2022 Specialist solicitors and financial experts help value assets such as businesses, pensions, trusts, and overseas property.Practical steps if your ex asks for money\u200b\u2022 Do not ignore any formal application or court papers.\u2022 Gather financial documents: bank statements, pension statements, property deeds mortgage details and tax returns.\u2022 Consider negotiating a settlement through solicitors or mediation to avoid costly litigation.\u2022 Seek disclosure from your ex and produce accurate information yourself.\u2022 Get specialist legal advice from us early, especially for pensions, businesses or complex investments.Mediation and negotiation options\u2022 Mediation offers a quicker, less adversarial, and often cheaper route than court.\u2022 A mediated consent order recorded by the court becomes legally binding.\u2022 Financial disputes that settle early save time legal costs and emotional strain.When a clean break is achievable\u2022 A clean break severs future financial claims between the parties where possible.\u2022 Courts favour a clean break if neither party will suffer hardship and a fair division is feasible.\u2022 Where long-term maintenance is required the court may refuse a full clean break.International and overseas issues\u2022 Assets held outside England and Wales complicate enforcement and valuation.\u2022 International law and treaties may affect whether overseas courts will recognise orders.\u2022 Seek advice from solicitors like us experienced in cross-border matrimonial finance.Common myths debunked\u2022 Myth: Your ex can claim unlimited money at any time. Fact: Every case will be determined according to applicable legal principles and significant delay and changes in circumstances may well impact the order a Court will make.\u2022 Myth: Signing separation agreements prevents all claims forever. Fact: Prenuptial or separation agreements can be set aside if unfair or improperly entered into.\u2022 Myth: Only the higher earner pays. Fact: Courts look at whole financial picture, contributions and future needs.When to get our legal advice\u2022 Immediately if served with Form A or a court order.\u2022 Before agreeing to any settlement or consent order.\u2022 If you have complex assets, significant pensions, or cross-border issues.\u2022 If you worry about enforcement or hiding of assets.Conclusion\u200b\u2022 Your ex can claim money after divorce but only within legal frameworks and only if there is no clean break order.\u2022 Prompt action, full financial disclosure and specialist legal advice improve your chances of a fair outcome.\u2022 Consider mediation to reach quicker, less costly settlements and where possible obtain a clean break to prevent ongoing claims.Need helpAt Alexander JLO we have many years of experience of dealing with all aspects of family law and will be happy to discuss your case in a free no obligation consultation. Why not call us on\u00a0+44 (0)20 7537 7000, email us at info@london-law.co.uk or get in touch via the contact us button and see what we can do for you?This blog was prepared by Peter Johnson on 2025 and is correct at the time of going to press. With over forty years of experience in almost all areas of law Peter is happy to assist with any legal issue that you have. He is widely regarded as one of London\u2019s leading divorce lawyers. His profile on the independent Review Solicitor website can be found\u00a0Here. To follow up on any of the above please contact Guy Wilton of our family department. Guy has wide experience of acting for the firm\u2019s clients, their family and their businesses. Guy\u2019s experience as a lawyer started in the Northern and Welsh Circuits, including the Liverpool Courts, where he represented numerous clients after being called to the Bar, before opting to join Alexander JLO in 2017 and qualifying as a solicitor in 2024. He is a highly experienced family lawyer with a particular interest in financial remedy proceedings and child contact disputes.Guy\u2019s profile on the independent Review Solicitor website can be viewed\u00a0here."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Can my ex claim money from me after our divorce?","item":"https:\/\/www.london-law.co.uk\/can-my-ex-claim-money-from-me-after-our-divorce\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]