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.
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Family law and divorce solicitors in Leeds
Based at 1 City Square in the heart of Leeds, our nationally-recognised family lawyers provide expert advice on divorce, child law, financial matters and modern family issues.
Award-winning family law legal services for Leeds
Our award-winning team — one of the largest in the North — provides tailored legal advice and guidance covering all areas of family law:
- Alternative dispute resolution — ADR has grown in popularity as a quicker, more cost-effective way to achieve a bespoke result in respect of financial matters and child arrangements. It's often seen as a better alternative to traditional court proceedings, even in complex cases.
- Child arrangements — we advise on all aspects of child law, including child arrangement orders, adoption, abduction, relocation and financial considerations. We'll help you to find the best possible solution for you and your children, always putting their needs first and helping you to move forward with confidence.
- Co-habitation — it's a misconception that couples who live together enjoy the same financial rights as a married couple — 'common-law marriage' doesn't exist. Instead, a cohabitation agreement can provide financial security and certainty.
- Divorce and financial settlements — divorce or separation can be a difficult time, especially if yours isn't straightforward or has an international element. We make everything as simple as possible, guiding you through the entire process and safeguarding your interests.
- Fertility, surrogacy and parenthood — you may be exploring routes to parenthood or have an issue arising from your family’s circumstances. Our highly-regarded team has helped to shape the rapidly-evolving area of fertility law.
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements — a prenup or postnup agreement is a pragmatic way of safeguarding your assets should your relationship break down in future. While negotiating terms has the potential to raise tensions, we can walk you through every stage.
Family law can be complex and highly specialised. The issues involved can also be very emotionally challenging.
As well as being preeminent leaders in their family law fields, members of our team in Leeds are Resolution accredited.
We adopt a tailored, empathetic, strategic and results-focused approach. Whatever your situation may be, we can help you to fully understand your legal options.
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Award-winning, nationally-recognised Leeds family law and divorce solicitors
You can be assured that your case will be handled by one of the largest, most decorated family law teams in the North. We're known as the Best Company to Work for in Yorkshire and the Humber. We've also been recognised in The Times Best Law Firms, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for many years running. The Legal 500 recognises us as a firm "to watch" in Yorkshire for 2026.
Led by experienced child law expert Cara Nuttall — recognised as a 'Leading Lawyer' and 'Leading Partner' in legal directories — our team is routinely commended by peers as leaders in their respective fields. Our Leeds-based experts also include Debbie Heald, who has extensive experience in dealing with high-value financial cases, as well as Danielle Hutchinson, who specialises in complex private children litigation relating to welfare issues like domestic abuse, parental alienation, issues of neglect and addiction and relocation.
We've worked on several landmark cases, with particular noteworthy success in shaping the laws around modern families, surrogacy and alternative dispute resolution.
Despite being a large law firm, we offer a personal, tailored service. Our solicitors are members of numerous committees and organisations that champion change and best practice in family law. We're also accredited with Resolution, meaning that we deal with cases in a way which avoids confrontation.
Meet our Leeds family law team
Supporting families across Leeds and Yorkshire
Our family law team covers the entire Leeds region. This includes the city centre and areas such as Alwoodley, Bramhope, Boston Spa, Horsforth, Otley, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Roundhay and Wetherby.
We also routinely advise clients slightly further afield — in areas like Addingham, Ilkley, Knaresborough and Harrogate — and can work flexibly across Yorkshire, including all major cities like Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Sheffield and York.
Our team handles cases of all shapes and sizes, including those with an international complexion and those on behalf of high-net-worth individuals with significant assets.
You can discuss yours face-to-face with us at our welcoming office in Leeds or, if you’d prefer, we can work with you remotely.
Talk to us by calling 0333 004 4488, emailing family@brabners.com or completing our contact form.
Accredited, experienced family law experts
“We’ll never forget the difference that Brabners made in this chapter of our lives. Jo-Anna Jellings and Cara Nuttall were beyond amazing — very skilled, insightful and empathetic. They worked collaboratively with different barristers to help us achieve the outcome we sought at every hearing. We hope that they can continue to impact many more people with the work that they do.”
Client feedback
“An excellent lawyer with a lot of experience and a client first approach. Debbie worked hard on my child arrangements case from the outset until its conclusion in court and supported me every step of the way.”
Anonymous client
“Brabners has one of the North of England’s largest family law teams, with expertise across financial, children, international and fertility work.”
The Times Best Law Firms 2025
“The 'one in a million' Cara Nuttall is an expert in domestic and international children matters, as well as fertility and surrogacy law.”
The Legal 500 2025
“The family team at Brabners are an exceptional offering in the north west of England covering Manchester and Liverpool.”
Legal 500 client feedback 2025
“Brabners is easily the premier family law service in Liverpool, Manchester and the surrounding area. They have enormous strength in depth and their first-rate lawyers cover the most serious and complex matters.”
Legal 500 2025 client feedback
We are a purpose-led independent family law firm, proudly anchored in the North.
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside of London) to become B Corp certified, a marker of our social and environmental commitment.
Our independence allows us to be objective, principled and serve our communities with heart and personality.
Through The Brabners Foundation, we aim to make a real difference for our people and our communities across Leeds and the North of England.
Northern Ambition
The collaborative network for purpose-led businesses. We’re building a more sustainable and innovative tomorrow.
Sustainable Business
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside London) to become B Corp certified.
Community Impact
We channel the energy of our public-spirited people and clients towards improving our local communities.
Expert family law insights
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We explain how and when a marriage can be annulled as well as how to know if a marriage is void or voidable.
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A guide to financial remedy proceedings
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Child contact arrangements at Christmas — 6 top tips for separated parents
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The Times Best Law Firms
We're thrilled to have been commended in three separate categories in The Times Best Law Firms 2026.
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Good Divorce Week — building a support network to achieve an amicable separation
For Good Divorce Week, we explore how emotional support and legal guidance work together to reduce conflict and uncertainty.
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Navigating divorce during menopause — legal, emotional & financial considerations
We explore the biological realities of menopause and the impact that it can have on divorce settlements and financial claims.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Brabners adds to partnership in record round of promotions
A total of 41 lawyers have been promoted across the firm including Rachel James and Richard Rigg who have become part of our almost 100-strong partnership.
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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’.
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Family Court fees set to rise from 1 April 2025
It’s proposed that over 60 Family Court fees will be increasing from 1 April to support the running of the notoriously underfunded His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
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When can a Judge write to a child?
The President of the Family Division has released a toolkit to support family Judges when writing to children.
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Gifting Shares: Navigating 2026 Inheritance Tax Changes for Family Business Owners
Here, Steven Appleton from our estate planning team and Amy Harris from our family law team explain the options available to family business owners, including sensible steps to take to secure your estate from future divorce or separation.
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Do I have to attend family dispute mediation? 15 exemptions explained
Mediation may not be suitable for every case. Our family law team explain 15 exemptions where court proceedings may be more appropriate.
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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.
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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.
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What happens if I refuse Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR)?
Refusing to participate in a non-court dispute resolution method of mediation without good reason can now lead to court-imposed costs sanctions.
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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.
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Resolving disputes through family mediation — your questions answered
Our family law team answer some of the common questions they are asked about the family mediation process.
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Who keeps the pet after a break-up? A guide to pet-nups
A pet-nup is an agreement between a couple that sets out the right of ownership to a pet, together with any arrangements for ongoing care and responsibilities.
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Increased transparency in the Family Court set to give journalists more access and reporting freedom
From 27 January 2025, journalists and legal bloggers will be able to request what are known as ‘transparency orders’ in Family Court proceedings across England and Wales.
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Are legal rights around cohabitation, financial remedy orders and prenups set to change in 2025?
As we enter a new year, there are many areas within family law that are ripe for reform — including around cohabitation, financial remedy orders and prenups.
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Contact our Leeds family law and divorce experts
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