What is a McKenzie Friend?

A McKenzie Friend is a person who supports a litigant in person in court by taking notes, helping with paperwork and offering practical and moral support. They are not a solicitor and do not provide legal representation unless the court grants additional rights.

Can I go to family court without a solicitor?

Yes. Many people represent themselves in UK family court as litigants in person. Bridge The Gap shares community observations and resources to help you understand the process. It does not provide legal advice.

What is Bridge The Gap?

Bridge The Gap is a community-built platform by litigants and McKenzie Friends that highlights the gaps between what people assume about family court and what actually happens.

Financial Remedy in Family Court

Guided Explorer

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Subject Guide

Financial Remedy in Family Court

Dividing assets is rarely straightforward. These are observations on what the court commonly considers — shared insights from those who have been through it.

Want support with this?

A McKenzie Friend can help you navigate financial remedy in family court.

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Financial Remedy in Family Court

Assumption: If I explain everything clearly, the court will move faster.

Assumption: Outcome Expectation Gap

Assumption: Once I have a consent order, it is over and I am protected.

Assumption: He put inheritance into the house — surely he gets that back first?

Assumption: The other side spent money on repairs without asking me — I’ll have to pay half, won’t I?

Assumption: The starting point is 50/50 — so that is what I will get.

Assumption: The next hearing will sort it.

Assumption: I have left the property, so I still have to keep paying the mortgage.

Assumption: Money in a joint account is joint — either of us can take what we want.

Assumption: A new partner living in the family home is irrelevant to the financial settlement.

Assumption: The divorce is nearly done — we can sort the finances out afterwards.

Assumption: I just want out — I do not need to know what they have in pensions or savings.

Assumption: My ex stopped paying the mortgage. I can apply to court and they will make him pay his half.

Assumption: I disclosed my bank statements. The judge will see them at the hearing.

Assumption: This AI divorce tool will help me work out my settlement. It even has a UK calculator.

Assumption: The other parent verbally agreed to pay half the nursery fees but is now refusing. Can I enforce that?

Assumption: I will have to see my ex in court

Assumption: My ex wants the house sold and is taking me to court, am I in trouble?

Assumption: If I don't engage in calls or informal chats, it will go against me.

Assumption: We agreed it already — that should settle it.

Assumption: My husband is not disclosing his assets. Can an accountant help me find out what he has?

Assumption: If we both agree to delay the final divorce order until finances are sorted, we do not need a court order — a verbal agreement or undertaking through solicitors is enough.

Assumption: The final divorce order can be granted before finances are resolved — it does not affect my financial claims.

Assumption: If the other party causes unnecessary court proceedings by refusing to cooperate, they will automatically pay the costs.

Assumption: The other party has provided a much lower property valuation than mine. The court will see through it.

Assumption: If the other party is hiding assets using third parties — family members or business associates — there is nothing the court can do.

Assumption: I need to make sure the court knows everything the other parent has done wrong.

Assumption: The other party did not ask me any questions at the FDR. That means nothing is expected of me in terms of negotiation.

Assumption: I gave up work and ran the home. That is a contribution. The court will treat it as 50/50.

Assumption: I don't have to disclose my finances. This is private information and I am not going to hand it over to someone who is trying to use it against me.

Assumption: I am being dragged to court to have my character defiled. I am the one being bullied here. My refusal to engage is self-defence.

Assumption: Once the divorce is final, everything is sorted.

Assumption: I know what we own, so we can just split it fairly.

Assumption: A verbal agreement about money is binding.

Assumption: I don't need to disclose that bank account — it only has a few pence in it. It's irrelevant.

Assumption: The paperwork of the divorce is the hard part.

Assumption: We've lived together for years. We have common law marriage rights — the same as if we were married.

Assumption: A fair split is obvious.

Assumption: The FDR judge recommended 50/50. That's clear enough — we know where we stand.

Assumption: I don't need to worry about pensions in the divorce.

Assumption: My ex's behaviour was terrible during the marriage. The court will take that into account in the financial settlement.

Assumption: Doing my own divorce means doing it entirely alone.

Assumption: I suffered domestic abuse throughout the marriage. That has to be taken into account in how the assets are divided.

Assumption: Saving money on solicitor fees is the smartest move.

Assumption: My spouse being cooperative during the divorce means they're being transparent about finances.

Assumption: Everything we built together during the marriage should be split equally. That's what the law says.

Assumption: Once we both agree on the settlement, it's settled.

Assumption: We lived together for three years before we got married. That time doesn't count — the marriage only started on the wedding day.

Assumption: He is refusing to engage with the financial proceedings. His solicitors won't respond. There is nothing I can do until he decides to participate.

Assumption: Should I make a D11 application to force disclosure?

Assumption: We're separated but still living together — can we sort finances out later?

Assumption: I can just use an AI tool to guide me through my divorce — it'll keep costs down.

Assumption: I’m getting half his pension — I can use it to buy a house.

Assumption: We lived together for years before getting married — we have the same rights as a married couple.

Assumption: I should have got a percentage of the property instead of a lump sum — but the property isn't being sold.

Assumption: I agreed to a lump sum — but the property is being sold and I didn't realise a percentage would have moved with the market.

Assumption: I earned more and paid more — the court will see my contribution was greater.

Assumption: The judge will want to hear about the affairs and the behaviour — I'll put it all in.

Assumption: My ex listed everything on Form E — the court has the full picture.

Assumption: They showed me their payslips — I know what they earn.

Assumption: We both know who's staying in the house — housing is sorted.

Assumption: We both have jobs so income needs aren't really a dispute.

Assumption: It'll just be split 50/50 — that's what always happens.

Assumption: I'm just going to let the court decide — I don't need mediation.

Assumption: My deed of trust protects my money — I had it drawn up by a solicitor.

Assumption: A McKenzie Friend can help with any court matter — including small claims mediation — and can provide free legal advice.

Assumption: regarding the new government consultation "Live together three years and they automatically get half"

Assumption: regarding the new government consultation "Any child in the house triggers an instant claim — even my partner's kids"

Assumption: regarding the new government consultation "Cohabiting will be treated the same as divorce"

Assumption: regarding the new government consultation "Just make an accusation and you will walk away with more money"

Court fees are what they are. If I cannot afford them, I cannot go to court.

Assumption: All McKenzie Friends are the same.

Assumption: I have been living with my partner for 15 years, we haven't got any children. Surely under law I am now his common-law wife, which means I will therefore be entitled to the same rights as a married woman?

Assumption: I have been living with my partner for 15 years and we have children. Surely under law I am now his common-law wife, which means I will therefore be entitled to the same rights as a married woman?

Assumption: I can come to an FDR without having made any without prejudice proposals.

Assumption: My pre or post nuptial agreement will be strictly adhered to in the court.

Assumption: If we can't agree on how to split pensions, do we both have to agree to instruct a PODE?

Assumption: If I get legal aid for financial remedy proceedings, it works in the same way as legal aid for child arrangements.

Assumption: McKenzie Friends are legally qualified and professional.