Within the context of a divorce the process of resolving financial issues between the parties is referred to as ‘ancillary relief’, and is separate from the divorce procedure.
For couples who are divorcing it is important to seek professional advice as soon as possible so that your position can be protected and matters can be concluded swiftly. This is particularly important where there are significant assets such as the matrimonial home and pensions or other requirements for spousal or children maintenance claims.
As well as working with clients to resolve their individual finances we are highly experienced in dealing with complex commercial financial arrangements including family businesses and partnerships and matters following on from divorce such as making new Wills, investments, trusts etc.
We work closely with our colleagues in our Corporate, Wills and Trusts, Conveyancing and Financial Services departments to provide specialist advice with a holistic approach.
Maintenance payment increases
It is often agreed/ordered that maintenance payments will increase each year in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to provide a degree of 'inflation proofing' without the need to make a further application to Court.
You will need to check your Court Order to find out in which month the increase is to take effect and for which months the RPI figures should be used. Orders are often drafted on the basis that the RPI figures should be taken for the month 3 months prior to the increase and the month 12 months prior to that (as there is often a delay before RPI figures are published).
This is the formula which you will need to carry out the calculation.
X x A/B
Where X is the figure to be inflated
A is the RPI for the later month
B is the RPI for the earlier month
e.g. The increase in maintenance payments of £100 per month which are to be inflated in March 2008 with reference to the figures for December 2006
(202.7) and December 2007 (210.9) is:
£100 x 210.9/202.7 = £104.05
This means the recipient is entitled to a monthly increase of £4.05.
RPI monthly data can be found on the National statistics website at
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=21
Our team
Our Family Law team is widely recognised as the leading Family Law practise in the Thames Valley and one of the top practises in southern England
Each of our members belongs to Resolution, (formerly known as the SFLA), which encourages agreement rather than unnecessary confrontation.
The Legal 500 directory of UK law firms consistently lists the Head of Department, Andrew Don, as one of the leading practitioners in the country, praising his ‘positive, sensible and settlement orientated approach’.
Contact our Family law team
You can contact our Family Law team on 0118 951 6800
"Can I say a heartfelt thanks for your advice. I know I am only another client but I have always felt you have had mine and my daughter’s interests in your sights……….thank you."
Mr T, Warfield
