What is a Section 278 Agreement?

A Section 278 Agreement is a legal agreement between a developer and a highway authority to carry out highway works.

‘Money Grief’ In Divorce | Wollens Solicitors Devon

Grieving the financial future you thought you had?

When we think about grief following divorce, we tend to think about the loss of the relationship, the family unit or the home, but there is another form of loss which is talked about far less, which is ‘money grief’.

For many people, separation means coming to terms not only with the end of a marriage, but with the loss of the financial future they had imagined.

The retirement you had planned together. The family home you thought you would grow old in. Holidays, financial security, an inheritance you hoped to pass to your children, or simply the comfort of knowing that two incomes were supporting one household.

Divorce can change all of that, sometimes very quickly.

What does ‘money grief’ look like?

Money grief is not a legal term. It is a useful way of describing the emotional response to a significant change in financial circumstances.

It can manifest itself in very different ways.

One person may become anxious about every pound they spend. Another may desperately want to retain the family home because selling it feels like yet another loss. Someone else may struggle to accept that a pension they have accumulated during their career could form an important part of the financial settlement.

There can also be anger- ‘Why should I have to sell my home? Why should they receive part of my pension? Why should my standard of living change when I didn’t choose the separation?’

Those feelings are understandable. The danger comes when the emotion attached to money starts driving financial decisions.

Divorce means restructuring two financial lives

The difficult reality is that the same resources that previously supported one household may now have to support two. Divorce can be seen as a financial restructuring of two lives.

This does not mean that everything will automatically be divided equally. In England and Wales, the financial outcome depends upon the circumstances of the particular family. Issues such as income and earning capacity, housing needs, age, health, the length of the marriage and the needs of dependent children may all be relevant. Pensions can also be among the most valuable assets in a divorce and should not simply be overlooked.

A financial settlement can deal with property, lump sums, financial support and pensions.

Replacing fear with information

One of the best ways to manage financial uncertainty is to understand the real financial picture.

This normally means identifying the property, mortgages, savings, investments, pensions, business interests, debts and incomes involved. On divorce , both spouses have an obligation to provide full and frank financial disclosure through the process. It is an important foundation for meaningful negotiations.

This can be uncomfortable. However, knowing the figures often allows conversations to move away from fear and towards practical questions:

What housing can each person realistically afford?
What will monthly income look like after separation?
Are pensions being properly considered alongside capital?
Can a settlement meet both parties’ needs?
Is keeping the family home genuinely affordable, or is the emotional attachment influencing the financial decision?

Seeing the complete picture can help turn an apparently overwhelming situation into a series of decisions that can be worked through.

You do not have to fight about money

Divorce does not inevitably mean a lengthy court dispute.

Mediation and other forms of non-court dispute resolution can help couples explore options and reach agreement. Where agreement cannot be reached, the court can ultimately determine how finances should be divided, but the contested route can often take longer and cost more.

Reaching an agreement is not, however, quite the end of the story. It will usually be important to have the financial arrangements recorded in a court-approved consent order so that there is clarity and, where appropriate, financial claims are brought to an end.

Looking beyond what you are losing

Good family law advice is not simply about dividing assets. At Wollens, we look to provide an understanding about what the financial life could look like afterwards.

The aim will be to make decisions based on evidence, affordability and longer-term future needs, changing the focus away from fear about what is being lost today.

Divorce may mean letting go of some financial expectations. This can involve a genuine grieving process, but with clear information, realistic advice and the right professional support, it is also possible to begin building a new financial future. This can feel reassuring.

At Wollens, our Family Team helps clients navigate the financial consequences of separation and divorce, from straightforward agreements to complex cases involving property, businesses, investments and pensions. We offer technical expertise, compassion and practical solutions, with advice on mediation and other constructive routes available alongside court proceedings where necessary.

Early advice can help you understand your options before fear or uncertainty starts making the decisions for you.