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 Manchester
Our nationally-accredited family law team, based at 100 Barbirolli Square in the heart of Manchester, provides expert legal advice on divorce, child law, financial matters and modern family issues.
The full range of family law services for Manchester
Our award-winning team — one of the largest in the North — provides bespoke legal advice on all areas of family law, including:
- Alternative dispute resolution — compared to traditional court proceedings, ADR can be a quicker, more cost-effective way to achieve a bespoke result in respect of financial matters and arrangements for children, even in complex cases.
- Child arrangements — we can advise in relation to all aspects of child law, including adoption, custody, abduction and relocation. We'll help you to find the right solution for your children and adapt to any changes in circumstances.
- Co-habitation — it's a common misconception that cohabiting couples enjoy the same financial rights as a married couple if their relationship breaks down. A cohabitation agreement can provide security and certainty.
- Divorce and financial settlements — we guide you through the entire divorce or separation process, helping to achieve financial security and ensure that your best interests are safeguarded. This includes complex divorces, such as international cases.
- Fertility law, surrogacy and parenthood — whether you’re wanting to explore routes to parenthood or have an issue arising from your family’s circumstances, we can guide you through the technicalities.
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements — while it can be difficult to discuss, a prenup or postnup is a pragmatic way of safeguarding property, businesses, trusts and inherited wealth should your relationship break down in the future.
Family law is wide-ranging and often highly specialised and the matters involved can be incredibly emotionally challenging and sensitive. We're in your corner, ready to help you move forward with confidence.
Our Resolution-accredited Manchester-based specialists adopt a sensitive, strategic, outcome-oriented approach focused on achieving the best possible result for you, while minimising confrontation.
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Award-winning family lawyers, serving Manchester with warmth, talent and experience
We are one of the largest family law teams in the North, recognised in The Times Best Law Firms, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
The team is led by experienced child law expert Cara Nuttall, who has been ranked in these top legal directories for over a decade and is recognised as a 'Leading Lawyer' and 'Leading Partner'. She works closely alongside Hannah Saxe, a leading expert in child arrangements, divorce, financial settlements, cohabitation agreements and more, Amy Harris, who has a strong international family law practice that includes advice on divorce and prenups, as well as Joe Ailion, who specialises in building families matters like fertility law and surrogacy.
Commended by peers as leaders in their respective fields, our preeminent experts have worked on several landmark cases, including those across modern families, surrogacy and alternative dispute resolution. We've been at the heart of family law’s rapid evolution over recent years.
We're also accredited with Resolution, meaning that we deal with cases in a way that limits or prevents conflict and distress. Despite being a large law firm, we offer a personal service — our solicitors are members of various organisations championing change and best practice in family law.
Meet our Manchester family law team
Supporting families across Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire
Our family law team covers the entire Greater Manchester region, including the city centre, Altrincham, Bolton, Rochdale, Sale, Salford, Stockport and Wigan.
We also work closely with many clients across Cheshire, covering towns and villages including Alderley Edge, Bramhall, Knutsford, Nantwich, Northwich, Prestbury, Wilmslow and Winsford.
Our team handles family law work of all types and complexities on behalf of a range of individuals, including more complex cases with an international complexion and those involving high-value assets.
Whether you’d prefer for us to work with you virtually or meet face-to-face at our office in central Manchester, we’re flexible.
Talk to us by calling 0333 004 4488, emailing family@brabners.com or completing our contact form.
Accredited, experienced family law experts
“Joe Ailion [has] a depth of understanding and empathy rarely seen in a solicitor... His honest and straightforward advice, coupled with a genuine warmth, created a sense of security for our family during a tumultuous time. For us, Joe is not just a solicitor — he’s a beacon of hope and reassurance.”
Anonymous family law client
“Hannah Saxe has notable expertise in children matters, including advising on adoption and surrogacy cases.”
Chambers and Partners 2025
“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 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
A purpose-led independent family law firm, proudly anchored in Manchester.
We’re on a mission to make the difference for our clients, people and communities. Founded in 1815 and rooted in the North, our independence allows us to be principled and provide a service with heart and personality.
In 2022, we became the largest law firm in the UK to become B Corp certified. This is an independent marker that we're purpose-driven, committed to creating benefits for all stakeholders and operating as a force for good.
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
Void & voidable marriages — what are they & when can you annul?
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
We explore how financial remedy proceedings work, what the court takes into account and the steps involved.
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Child contact arrangements at Christmas — 6 top tips for separated parents
We share some top tips to help families to co‑parent amicably and organise child contact arrangements during the festive period.
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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 Manchester family law and divorce experts
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