Family law podcast: How to deal with pensions on divorce

Dealing with pensions is often an overlooked and undervalued element of divorce. This can have significant repercussions for divorcing couples and places family and divorce lawyers in an important position of ensuring that both sides are adequately provided for both now and in the future.

To discuss this important issue, Natalie Lester, a partner in the family and divorce law team at Debenhams Ottaway, joins Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie to discuss some of her experience and strategies for supporting those going through divorce and specifically around dealing with pensions.

A pension might not be considered a tangible asset but is often worth more than the family home so it’s essential for divorcing couples to include it in future financial planning to provide both sides with enough capital for now and their future needs.

Natalie shares her insight into what options are available, including pension sharing orders and any understanding of the need to offset assets; and pension attachment or earmarking orders.

She also raises the issue of advising clients where one side might be more financially savvy than the other and not understanding the repercussions of waiving rights to pensions, particularly if those involved are in significant emotional turmoil.

This insightful and interesting discussion explores the options around advising clients on pensions when divorcing, drawing on Natalie’s experience in practice.