Giving evidence from abroad — Family Court confirms a common-sense approach
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Menopause & Divorce
Compassionate legal support when menopause and relationship breakdown collide. Our solicitors can help you to make clear, strategic decisions and secure your future.
Menopause is a significant life transition that can affect every aspect of your wellbeing — including your relationships, finances and future plans.
For some women, the emotional, physical and psychological effects of perimenopause and menopause can place considerable strain on a marriage or long-term partnership.
Indeed, there’s growing evidence of the connection between menopause-related challenges and relationship breakdown , including its impact on family life, communication and financial security.
If you're facing separation or divorce during menopause, having the right legal support is essential.
Our specialist, award-winning divorce solicitors are here to share your burden, alleviate the pressure and help you to navigate the right route forward. Our team is recognised by The Times Best Law Firms and ranked in the top tiers of leading legal directories The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, with our solicitors commonly advising on complex, high-value and sensitive matters.
We provide practical, strategic and compassionate advice to help you navigate the personal and financial challenges that lie ahead. When menopause is a factor in relationship breakdown, we take the time to understand the wider context and provide advice that reflects both your immediate needs and long-term future.
Trusted, confidential advice is just a phone call away. Talk to our menopause and divorce specialists today by calling 0333 004 4488. Alternatively, send us a message or email and a member of our team will be in touch.
“Getting divorced was the hardest thing I've ever done. I had taken advice from other firms over the years but... felt there was no empathy. I just wanted someone who was understanding, supportive and (most importantly) honest. From the first meeting, Richard Rigg demonstrated professional integrity, honesty and support... and made me feel like I could ask anything and not be judged. I believe that I got the best possible outcome for me and my child both financially and emotionally.”
Client feedback
“I just wanted to thank you [Joe Ailion] again for your help and support in my divorce settlement. I admire and respect your dedication and professionalism, but mostly I want to acknowledge your compassion and kindness throughout. As time passes, I will think of you as a friend who guided and gave me a voice through my troubles and took me on journey to a brighter place.”
Client feedback
“To have a team of people who can hold space for those going through what might be the toughest time of their life is essential. Cara [Nuttall] is the best at navigating this difficult time by walking side by side through the legal process of divorce with expertise and compassion.”
Occupational Wellness Practitioner
“After a ten-year ordeal — spanning separation, divorce, child custody and financial disputes... The outcome is everything I'd hoped and prayed for — not just for me but for my girls, my future and the chance to finally move forward... [I prayed] for God to hand-pick not just any legal counsel but His very best for my case. And He chose YOU.”
Client feedback
“I’m so grateful to Brabners — particularly Danielle Hutchinson and Caitlyn Oaten — for their outstanding support during a long and complex financial case. From the FDR hearing right through to the final settlement and property transfer, they carried out everything with professionalism, empathy, and precision. I couldn’t have asked for better legal representation.”
Client feedback
“Brabners has one of the North of England’s largest family law teams, with expertise across financial, children, international and fertility work.”
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Supporting you through divorce during menopause
Divorce is rarely easy. When combined with the effects of menopause, it can feel especially overwhelming.
Symptoms such as sleep disruption, anxiety, low mood, brain fog, fatigue and loss of confidence can make major life decisions more difficult. At the same time, many women are facing other significant pressures, including caring responsibilities (for children or elderly parents — or even both), career changes, concerns about retirement planning and financial uncertainty. Menopause commonly occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 — a period that closely aligns with peak divorce rates.
We understand these challenges and provide advice that’s tailored to your individual circumstances. We'll help you to make informed decisions while protecting your long-term interests and wellbeing. We’re used to working as part of a team alongside therapists, counsellors, medical practicers and financial advisors as appropriate to ensure that you’re fully supported throughout the divorce process.
Recognised for excellence in divorce & family law
Expert advice on finances, pensions & future security
Many women going through menopause are approaching retirement and may have concerns about their financial future following divorce.
Our team can advise on:
- Financial settlements on divorce.
- Pension sharing and pension attachment orders.
- Property division and housing arrangements.
- Business interests and family-owned companies.
- Ongoing maintenance claims.
- Trust interests.
- Investment portfolios and other valuable assets.
- International assets and overseas interests.
- Protecting future financial security.
We understand that menopause can have a significant effect on earnings, career progression and financial resilience. While menopause itself isn’t currently a specific factor for consideration within divorce legislation, its broader impact on health, capacity to work and future financial needs means that it may be relevant when assessing an appropriate financial settlement to ensure that all the circumstances of the case have been fully considered.
Our role is to identify the full picture and secure arrangements that support your future financial stability.
Helping you to make clear decisions during a difficult time
The emotional impact of menopause can lead some people to question longstanding relationships or reassess their priorities.
Whether you've already decided to separate or are still considering your options, obtaining early legal advice can provide clarity and reassurance.
We can help you to understand:
- Your legal position before starting divorce proceedings.
- The likely financial implications of separation.
- Options for reaching an agreement outside of court.
- How to protect assets and future claims.
- Arrangements concerning children and wider family responsibilities.
- The most effective strategy for your individual circumstances.
Our advice is always pragmatic, straightforward and focused on helping you to move forward with confidence.
Non-court dispute resolution & constructive outcomes
Many clients want to minimise conflict and avoid lengthy court proceedings wherever possible.
Our family law team has extensive experience of:
- Negotiation.
- Mediation support.
- Collaborative law.
- Private financial dispute resolution.
- Arbitration.
These non-court dispute resolution approaches can often provide a more constructive, less stressful and more cost-effective route to settlement.
Where court proceedings become necessary, we'll provide strong representation and guide you confidently through the process.
Accredited experts in divorce & menopause
Our niche specialism in divorce and menopause is led by Debbie Heald, a highly experienced family lawyer who advises clients across England, Wales and internationally on divorce, financial settlements, children matters and complex family law disputes.
Debbie is a Resolution-accredited specialist in complex financial remedies and private children matters with extensive experience in handling cases involving substantial assets, pensions, business interests and international elements. She’s recognised as a Key Lawyer by The Legal 500 and is known for her calm, compassionate and practical approach.
With expertise in supporting clients navigating divorce during menopause, Debbie is here to help you understand your options, protect your financial position and plan confidently for the future. She’ll start by understanding your needs and exploring how she can make the legal process as simple as possible — for example, by agreeing communication methods and times that suit your schedule and symptoms. Next, Debbie will explore your symptoms and their impact on your daily life, health and finances, potentially referring you to other trusted specialists as needed.
We appreciate that you’ll need time to absorb our advice and make decisions, so we always follow-up any communications in writing as an aide-mémoire. When it comes to the legal side of things, we’ll analyse the impact of menopause or perimenopause on your financial needs and explore the potential arguments to run when negotiating a fair financial settlement on your behalf.
Meet your team
FAQs
More insights on divorce
Marriage on the decline: what the latest ONS statistics tell us about the ‘modern family’
We delve into the new data, what it tells us about the ‘modern family’ and the steps that cohabiting couples should take to protect their rights.
Can you get divorced in England & Wales if you married abroad? Key legal considerations explained
We outline how an overseas marriage is treated under English and Welsh law for anyone considering divorce.
Bad behaviour & divorce — does an affair affect the financial settlement?
We explore how adultery and other forms of misconduct fit into the current divorce framework and when behaviour affects the financial settlement.
A guide to trusts in divorce — 5 practical tips to protect your wealth
We explore how the courts approach trusts on divorce and outline the key considerations for dealing with them after separation.
Divorce — what happens to my business in a financial settlement?
We explore the process of valuing a business and reaching a financial settlement upon divorce or dissolution.
What happens to parents’ investment in the family home on divorce? 6 factors that courts will assess
We explore how the courts approach parental contributions in divorce and the practical steps families may need to consider.
Pensions in divorce — achieving equality in retirement through sharing, attachment & offsetting
We explore how pensions are treated in divorce, from entitlement and valuation to division options.
5 types of financial order on divorce or civil partnership dissolution explained
We set out everything you need to know about financial orders — how they work, the different types and more.
The importance of a Pension Sharing Order & how to enforce one
The importance of a Pension Sharing Order, the process for implementing one and the remedies available if one party fails to engage in that process.
Should you have an NDA when getting divorced?
NDAs are becoming more prevalent in divorce proceedings, especially for high-profile individuals or where sensitive information is concerned — but do you need one?
Potanina v Potanin — the importance of jurisdiction in international divorce cases
International divorce cases are highly complex and the choice of jurisdiction can make a significant difference to financial outcomes.
The September divorce spike explained
January and September are the most ‘popular’ months to begin divorce proceedings — we look at why and top tips for couples thinking of separation.
I've been married for less than 12 months — how can I get a divorce?
Divorce isn't an option until after 12 months — but alternatives like annulment, judicial separation and separation agreements are available.
Standish v Standish — what is ‘matrimonial property’ in divorce & financial remedy proceedings?
The Supreme Court has clarified the law surrounding when ‘non-matrimonial property’ can become ‘matrimonial property’.
Divorce for business owners — how to protect sensitive commercial or company information
We explain exactly what information a business owner may be expected to share during a divorce.
Full and frank disclosure — when does the duty end in the financial remedy process after divorce?
In the realm of financial remedy proceedings following divorce, the duty of full and frank financial disclosure is a long-established principle.
3 common divorce pitfalls — the importance of financial orders and ‘Remarriage Trap’ explained
Three common divorce pitfalls involve clean break orders, pension rights and Will writing. Find out the importance of obtaining a financial order.
Dale Vince — the importance of pre-nuptial agreements to avoid financial disputes during divorce
Here, Chris Fairhurst explores Mr Vince’s experience of the financial settlement process and outlines the importance of considering nuptial agreements.
Divorce Day — Navigating a new beginning in the New Year
Following the festive period — and in the optimism of a new year ahead — many couples find themselves taking a hard and truthful look at their relationship.
Computer glitch causes panic over potentially void divorces in England and Wales
The computer system glitch failed to detect that divorce applications were submitted too early, meaning that these divorces may not be legally valid.
Do I have to disclose my financial information as part of my divorce?
We explain when and why financial information needs to be disclosed during a divorce and the risks that come with non-disclosure.
12 essential self-care tips during separation or divorce
A family lawyer bravely reflects on her own experience of divorce and explains the essential self-care tips that she picked up along the way.
Protecting an entrepreneur’s business interests during acrimonious divorce proceedings
Our family law team helped a young entrepreneur to reach a suitable financial settlement in highly contested court proceedings following his divorce.
Securing a financial settlement for an international divorcee
Our family law experts secured a property transfer for a client who divorced abroad and wasn’t granted a financial settlement as part of her divorce.
Brabners is a leading independent law firm.
Our independence allows us to be objective, principled and provide a service with heart and personality.
We’re on a mission to make the difference for our clients, people and communities. Proudly anchored in the North since 1815, we serve all of England and Wales.
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