We can help.....

In fact we can probably help you more effectively than many other professionals who might seem more obvious for you to turn to when your marriage (or relationship) goes wrong.

Whilst the emotional side of a relationship can be difficult to deal with, for many people it is the financial aspect which is equally, or sometimes more challenging to sort out. Edison Ford believes that trying to go through a divorce without seeking sound financial advice is like trying to row the Atlantic without a compass or a map..... 

In our experience, couples often start out trying to come to an amicable agreement over their finances, but fail for a number of reasons. This is usually as a result of one or more of the following:

• They have insufficient knowledge/understanding of their own financial affairs
• They are not aware of the numerous options available to them
• They are frightened of making a mistake which could affect their financial position
•  Emotions get in the way of logic

Edison Ford has much experience in advising people on their best options in these situations. Very often, people come to us assuming they will lose their home, will not be able to afford to buy another one and in torment over what the future lies in store.

Whilst the situation may seem daunting and overwhelming, we have much experience in cutting to the heart of the matter, finding simple and effective solutions which are acceptable to all parties.

We are quite often presented with scenarios where a low income earning spouse is convinced they cannot afford to carry on living in their own property or could not afford to buy another property if their marital home is disposed of. In almost every case, we are able to come up with a solution which is far beyond the client's highest expectations.

Beyond financial advice

Edison Ford's MD, John Moon, has a unique reputation for his ability to assist people with their physcological and financial challenges, having studied personal development and NLP techniques for many years.

Although clients use Edison Ford primarily for their expertise in financial matters, John's well rounded advice is often called upon by clients to assist them with some of the most difficult decisions and challenges they will ever face.

John will explore every avenue, encouraging people to find simple solutions to their problems. In some cases, this has resulted in clients resolving their differences - clearly the best possible solution.

Unlike solicitors, who make money when your situation deteriorates and becomes more complex, Edison Ford has no axe to grind and no vested interests.

John Moon commented "We would much prefer our existing clients to stay happily married for all time as divorces absorb wealth more swiftly than any other occurence in someone's life. I therefore encourage people to settle their differences if at all possible. If this is just not possible, then coming to an amicable arrangement, with the minimum of legal interference, is almost always the best policy. After all, there is only so much money to go around. Every pound spent on legal fees is a pound less in your own pocket."

Pensions and Divorce

Pension arrangements have become much more important when determining divorce settlements. We have therefore prepared a special section looking at this subject. Click here to go to this page.

Ths is often where the most complex situations and scenarios occur. Multiple properties may be involved, you will be unsure whether or how much you can borrow, you might have endowments in joint names and not know what to do with them or your mortgage might have gone into arrears as the main income earner has refused to pay.

Whatever the situation and regardless of how confusing it seems or hopeless you feel your situation is, it is always worth contacting us  to find out what your real options are.

Will your maintenance payments be safe?

Assuming you come to an agreement about future maintenance payments and the 'payer' has a stable job and prospects, you might assume your income will be reasonably safe.

But what happens if your former spouse dies or has an accident or illness which prevents them paying? How would you stand then? Could you carry on paying your commitments?

An often overlooked part of divorce, mainly because most solicitors don't understand the implications, is that of insuring the person paying the maintenance. This can often be done simply and cheaply, but adds a vital extra layer of protection for the receiving party who is often unable to work due to child commitments and is therefore very vulnerable.

What about our investments and life policies?

You may have an extensive or complex portfolio or just a few mortgage protection policies. Either way, you will be wanting to know whether to keep, sell, encash or amend your existing products. It may seem complex to you, but Edison Ford's advisers are highly experienced in seeing through the haze of figures and jargon and will give you simple and well rounded advice about your best options, making sure you optimise your arrangements. Just give us a call to find out more.

If you are getting divorced, then you should either review or make a will, for obvious reasons.

When you get divorced, your former spouse is automatically cut out of your will. The rest of the will still takes effect. This situation can create a real headache because the spouse is usually the main beneficiary. If your ex-spouse is cut out, then what money was supposed to go to them ends up in the estate residue. The estate residue is what's left in your estate after creditors and beneficiaries have been paid. In cases where the spouse is disinherited by divorce, the estate residue can be worth a lot of money and unless you've distributed that money in your will it will be distributed under intestacy. Divorce should nearly always prompt you to make a new will.

Our colleagues at  Rowland Hart Legal Services can help you with this.

If you are reading this whilst contemplating a new relationship, then you should consider whether it would be advisable to enter into a pre-nuptial or co-habitee agreement.

Given that more relationships go wrong than last, it's easy to see the reasoning behind such agreements. A 'pre-nup' is not watertight but certainly helps, whilst a co-habitee agreement is just good common sense, even in the light of the new civil partnerships which are now in force.

Sometimes it's difficult for one party in the relationship to suggest such arrangements, whilst a third party, such as a financial advisor, making the suggestion is seen as neutral and objective. For this reason alone, many people find dealing with Edison Ford a refreshing experience as we are able to raise such delicate subjects with no agenda, helping everyone to make sensible arrangements.

John Moon is researching relationship break-ups as a subject for his first book and would like to talk to couples about their experiences. Please contact him if you would like to take part in this. Full confidentiality is assurred.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, we hope you experience all the love in your life you deserve.