Financial advice for women going through divorce: What you need to know

Published 19 May 2025

If you are searching for divorce financial advice that speaks to both the practical and emotional challenges, you are in the right place. This guide is specifically designed to help women navigate the financial side of separation with clarity, confidence, and personalised support.

Navigate the financial side of

separation with clarity,

confidence, and

personalised support.

Why financial advice matters during divorce

Divorce is a life-changing event. Alongside the emotional weight, it brings a host of financial decisions that can shape your future. As a Chartered Financial Planner, I have worked with women through this transition and I know how overwhelming it can feel.

Divorce is not just about dividing assets. It is about reshaping your financial future. My role is to help you make clear, confident choices that align with your values and long-term goals.

Your solicitor will help you negotiate a fair settlement based on your circumstances today. My role is to work alongside both of you to ensure that your financial future is secure. I will help you understand the long-term implications of any proposed settlements, so you can make informed decisions with confidence: knowing that the choices you make now will support the future you.

I refer to myself as a financial adviser and a Chartered Financial Planner. This is because most people do not know what a financial planner is, but have heard of a financial adviser. But there are key differences. Read more about it in my earlier blog here.

Understanding the emotional side of money

When it comes to money, no two people are the same. Over the years, I have had the privilege of hearing many stories from clients. Each one reminds me that everyone has a unique journey with money.

Your upbringing, your culture, your social circle: they all play a powerful role in shaping your financial beliefs and behaviours. Some people grew up surrounded by abundance and financial security. Others faced hardship from the very beginning. Both experiences leave a lasting imprint.

Understanding your financial story

One of the most important parts of my job is uncovering these personal money stories. Why? Because understanding your relationship with money allows me to offer advice that is not only technically sound, but also emotionally and personally relevant to you.

A client of mine once shared how growing up in a single-parent household, where money was a constant source of stress, still affects her today. Even though she now earns more than ten times what her mother did, those early experiences still shape her financial choices.

This is a powerful reminder that financial decisions are rarely just about numbers. They are also about hopes, fears, dreams, and lived experiences.

Tailoring financial advice to fit you

As a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (FPFS), I take pride in offering advice that is tailored, holistic, and client-centred. My goal is not just to create a financial plan but to craft a personalised roadmap (your Money Map) that reflects your story, your ambitions, and your values.

That means I will:

• Listen carefully to your beliefs and experiences around money

• Gently challenge limiting fears or assumptions

• Consider emotional and psychological aspects when building your strategy

By doing this, I help you make financial decisions that feel right not just logically, but emotionally too.

Why emotional awareness enhances financial planning

It is easy to focus purely on tax, returns, and retirement projections. But when we ignore the emotional side of money, we risk creating plans that do not truly fit.

By exploring your relationship with money, we can:

• Address deep-seated fears like the worry of running out of money

• Build confidence in your ability to spend, save, and invest

• Set goals that align with your real-life dreams, not just financial milestones

• Create peace of mind knowing your plan is built around you

💬 Ready to explore your own money story? Let’s talk about how it shapes your future.

Key financial areas to consider during divorce

When you are figuring out how to manage finances during divorce, it helps to break it down. I guide clients through each of these essential areas to reduce stress and build confidence.

Property and the family home

Your home carries emotional weight and financial significance. We will explore your options: keep, sell, or buy out. Together, we will look at valuation, mortgage affordability, and what fits your future.

Pensions and retirement planning

Pensions are often among the most valuable, and most overlooked, assets in a divorce. I help you understand how they work, what is fair, and how they align with your long-term financial goals. With the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance and proposed changes to include pensions in Inheritance Tax from 2027, it is more important than ever to get clear, expert advice to ensure your settlement supports both your retirement plans and your legacy.

Savings, investments, and debt

From ISAs to companies, we will take stock, divide fairly, and rebuild with clarity. I also help with:

• Capital gains tax

• Investment strategy

• Retirement planning

Child support and maintenance

Support calculations can be complex. I walk you through what is sustainable so you and your children feel secure.

Business interests and complex assets

Dividing a business, investment portfolio, or other high-value assets requires specialist knowledge. These assets often come with significant tax implications, especially in light of recent and upcoming changes to Capital Gains Tax and Business Property Relief. I help you understand the true value of what is being negotiated and guide you through the financial and tax complexities, so you can make decisions that protect your future.

Tax implications

Changes in filing status, asset transfers, and other legal shifts can affect your financial future. I help you understand these impacts and stay ahead.

Planning for the life ahead

This is not just about getting through divorce. It is about what comes next.

We will build a plan to support the life you want, whether that means:

• Buying a new home

• Investing for your future

• Feeling more in control of your money

What it is like to work with me

As a female financial adviser specialising in divorce in the UK, I offer a space where women feel heard, supported, and empowered. I bring together technical expertise and emotional intelligence to guide you every step of the way.

You can expect:

• Personalised advice tailored to your goals

• Deep understanding of the financial and emotional sides of divorce

• A calm, supportive presence through a time of change

✨ Let’s uncover your unique relationship with money and build a plan that fits you perfectly.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a financial adviser for divorce?

Yes. A financial adviser helps you understand your entitlements, avoid costly errors, and build a secure financial future.

What should I do first financially when going through a divorce?

Start by organising all your financial documents. Then, work with a financial planner to understand your assets, liabilities, and options.

How are pensions handled in a divorce?

Pensions can be split or offset against other assets, depending on your circumstances. I help you choose what is best for your long-term security.

Can a financial adviser help with planning for my future?

Absolutely. I will help you understand how to create a plan that works for you and your family, if you have one.

Ready to take the next step?

Divorce and money management can feel overwhelming. But you do not have to do this alone.

With the right support, you can move forward with strength, clarity, and peace of mind.

💬 Get in touch today to start your personalised financial planning journey.

Let’s build a financial path that fits your life, not someone else’s spreadsheet.

Your Wealth Wingwoman,
Shalini Kanap

P.S. Want to learn more? Read these blogs:

• 👉 Do Financial Planners help with budgeting? Taking control of your finances

• 👉 What do Financial Advisers do? How they secure your financial future in the UK

• 👉 Empowering women: Essential financial advice for your financial plan

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

SJP Approved xx/xx/xxxx