If you’re divorcing from your partner and you’re worried your income has dropped, there are a number of ways you can seek financial support. In this article, we discuss the different ways you can seek this support in South London.
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Getting divorced can involve a great deal of stress, as well as some fairly overwhelming emotions, including despair, anger and worry. During a divorce, there are a number of factors which come into play including blame, childcare issues and, of course, finances.
Family law solicitors in South London are seeing increasing numbers of people whose lives are being financially impacted by divorce. As a member of the South London community, you may find that increased cost of living impacts you even more.
In this article, we’re going to explore some of the help that may be available to you as a South London resident going through a divorce. Take a look…
The Struggle of Financial Dependency Post-Divorce
Traditionally, within a marriage, a couple will create a relationship which plays to their strengths. This may mean that one spouse is a high earner and therefore becomes the breadwinner. In the meantime, the other spouse either doesn’t work or works part time in order to focus on running the home and taking care of children.
Although many couples now revoke these gender stereotypes and try to make their contributions more equal, many low-income marriages can find themselves in a vicious cycle of financial co-dependency.
In the instance of financial dependency during a divorce, the spouse who either doesn’t earn or earns a significantly lower salary may be able to claim spousal maintenance. This is an amount of money paid to them by the higher earning spouse following a divorce or separation. Whilst this usually applies to couples with children, spousal maintenance may be awarded in other circumstances where one spouse doesn’t have the capacity to earn enough to live on.
In the first instance, it’s always better for spouses to come to an agreement on this themselves but, if they are unable to do so, mediation services may be helpful.
How You Can Tackle Financial Troubles in South London During a Divorce
Applying for Legal Aid
Once the tug of war that is divorce begins, the financial clock starts ticking and, one of the most immediate expenses is that of solicitor’s fees. When going through a divorce, it’s essential that you hire the services of a reputable family law solicitor. However, these often don’t come cheap.
In some cases, you may be eligible for legal aid to help with your legal costs. In England and Wales, this is usually free, however, only available when the divorce includes domestic abuse, including financial abuse.
There are many Legal aid clinics available in South London which can offer free and independent advice on your divorce processings.
Help with Housing
Often, the biggest worry when going through a divorce is the question of where you’re going to live. If you’re lucky enough to co-own a property, then this will usually be split between both parties through selling and sharing the proceeds, or by one partner buying the other one out.
If, however, you don’t own property and have been, for example, renting your home, you may find that you are unable to afford to rent a new home for yourself. If you’re being forced to leave your home and are unable to afford somewhere to live, your first port of call should be your local council who may be able to provide emergency housing, depending on your circumstances.
If the council is unable to house you, they may be able to refer you to a South London homelessness charity, such as Evolve, who will often be able to find you temporary accommodation until you’re able to sort out a more permanent solution. Homelessness charity, Shelter, may also be able to offer advice and assistance should you urgently need somewhere to stay.
Cutting the Childcare Costs
Suddenly finding yourself alone with one or more children can be scary, and you may find yourself struggling to meet the costs of childcare. This can often be a vicious circle, as you need to work to meet your commitments but, in order to do so, you need to find childcare.
If you’re unable to persuade the other parent to help with childcare, your first step should be to contact the Child Services Association who will take this up on your behalf. This can be a long drawn-out process, so, in the meantime, you may want to get in touch with a charity in London such as Childhood Trust, who may be able to offer guidance and support for helping with the cost of childcare.
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Applying for Benefits
When separating from a long-term relationship, many people are not aware of which, if any, benefits they’re entitled to from the government. For instance, after a divorce, if you’re the only person in your household who is aged 18 or over, you can claim a 25% discount on your council tax payments.
If you need immediate cash for food or other essentials, you may also be able to get an urgent cash loan whilst you are waiting for your Universal Credit application to be processed. The Turn2Us site is a great resource for checking out your entitlements, as well as finding out how to go about claiming them.
In addition to receiving benefits, you may also be eligible for a welfare grant from Family Action. Established in 1869, Family Action is dedicated to providing com
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Foodbanks and Charities
As well as financial help, you can help to stretch your budget further by looking for facilities in South London such as foodbanks. These vital community initiatives help people in need by providing food essentials to residents of the local area.
In order to take advantage of this initiative, you need to gain a referral from a care professional such as a health visitor or social worker and, in some cases, the police. These professionals will then issue you with a voucher to take to your foodbank.
Additionally, there are plenty of charities within South London from which you can receive free or cheaper clothing for yourself and your children if you are unable to buy these full price.
Get Help When Divorcing in South London
A divorce can be devastating both emotionally and financially, and asking for support can sometimes feel tough. However, you should never feel afraid to ask, as there are many individuals and organisations willing to help without judgement, and exist specifically to offer the support you may need.
There are also many different options to explore in and around South London, including, legal aid, charities and foodbanks.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained financial professional. Be sure to consult a financial advisor if you’re seeking advice on your finances. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
