Jones Myers Ltd

At this very moment many couples of varying ages are taking the plunge to set up home together.   

A Financial Consent Order, which divides financial assets between separating couples, is vital in protecting them from future financial claims.  

A Financial Consent Order is vital for the immediate and long-term future of divorcing couples and their children, whose interests should always come first. 

Sadly, a misconception exists among divorcing couples, and some family lawyers, that the only way to terminate a financially complicated marriage is to fight it out in court.       As a qualified collaborative family lawyer, family law mediator and child inclusive mediator, I want to emphasise that this is not the case.  I have seen at first-hand how mediation has enabled clients to work constructively with their ex – even in the most complex situations.    With the right mediator, there is no reason why financially complex issues cannot be agreed through mediation. Mediation puts you and your ex in the driving seat and avoids the cost and stress of going to court.    A skilled lawyer mediator who is experienced in financial settlements can give really useful legal and technical information.    This can be particularly important in cases with complicated company structures, pensions etc as the right mediator will ensure that you both gain an understanding of the overall structure and so can make properly informed decisions.    In my opinion, it is often fear and lack of confidence that motivates people to rely on solicitors and courts to make decisions for them.    The law around financial settlements gives a very wide discretion to a court to make a financial order which is fair in the particular circumstances of the particular family.   Whilst good independent legal advice is key in supporting mediation, it must be right that those best placed to make decisions about what is fair is the couple themselves.  Mediation allows you to set the pace and discuss with a mediator and your ex confidentially the things which are most important to you such as finances and the welfare of your children.      Keeping communication channels open, it helps you both to work towards agreed arrangements which put your children’s interests first and meet your family’s long-term interests.   Mediation enables you to agree on momentous decisions such as how your financial assets are divided and the time you can spend with your children.   This differs dramatically from a court divorce where these critical factors are determined and imposed by a Judge who knows little about you and your family – and whose decision is binding.   Jones Myers is at the forefront of helping clients to reach solutions which do not subject them to the emotional trauma of litigation.  Our commitment to helping clients divorce in a non-confrontational way has seen us further expand our services to offer an integrated approach to mediation.   This entails us bringing together various processes such as mediation early neutral evaluation, or arbitration on discreet points of disagreement.   The processes - which seek to find bespoke solutions for our clients - also involve professionals including solicitors, IFA’s, divorce coaches, family consultants and accountants   We are proud to be among a handful of family law firms offering this combined approach.   In divorce, there is nothing more important than ensuring you and your ex can start a new chapter in a spirit of cooperation which is in your children’s best interests.      Nicki Mitchell, Jones Myers Family Law Mediator and Child Inclusive Mediator   

The impact of divorce can be devastating – which is why our focus at Jones Myers is on helping our clients to reach a fair financial settlement without going to Court.  Emotions understandably run high for those undergoing divorce, and we need to do all we can to control those emotions because relationship breakdown involves families, often with children, who will continue to be families long after they have separated.   When it comes to finances, the matrimonial pot, in principle, is shared equally when you divorce. Exceptions include cases where couples have previously tied the knot and owned properties, shares, and investments in their former marriages. Also, in situations where meeting the financial needs of one of the parties, and in particular the housing needs of the children, means that an unequal division might be needed.  A starting point in securing a fair financial settlement that meets the needs of everyone is for both of you to undergo a ‘full and frank disclosure’ of each other’s financial situations in these three areas:     Assets – your house and other properties, savings, investments, shares, and businesses  Income – whether you are employed or self-employed, along with dividends and interest payments   Pensions – the type of scheme and value  You and your spouse are expected to provide information  detailing all your finances including bank account details and one year’s worth of statements for each account. Pay slips and other documents are also needed.    Doing this produces a detailed picture of the financial requirements you both need now - and going forwards - to protect you both.     The repercussions of failing to disclose all your financial assets during the disclosure process include loss of trust with your spouse – which can also make agreeing a settlement out of Court more difficult.   If your divorce goes to Court and a Judge discovers you have not divulged key financial information, you could lose credibility with the Judge and face ‘ligation misconduct’ which can include being ordered to pay your spouse’s Court costs.   If, having agreed a Consent Order - a legal document approved by the Court verifying how you will divide your assets, income, and pension - it later comes to light that you have withheld financial information, your spouse might be able to make future additional claims.    In the worst-case scenario, deliberately withholding financial information in breach of a court order can amount to a contempt of court for which a range of penalties (including ultimately imprisonment) could be imposed.              While the prospect of planning your future finances may seem daunting at such a period in your life,  reaching a financial settlement that is mutually satisfactory, and will stand up to legal scrutiny, is vital.    Providing clarity and certainty to you and your spouse, it enables you both to look to the future with security, optimism, and peace of mind.  Neil Dring, Jones Myers Senior Solicitor  

Plans to make mediation compulsory for separating couples could prevent thousands of children seeing their parents embroiled in bitter, lengthy, and costly courtroom conflicts.     

If you opt to settle your divorce through mediation rather than a drawn out, expensive and  contentious Court settlement, choosing the right mediator is vital.  

For those about to tie the knot, wedding checklists will vary enormously - depending upon the venue and number of guests.  

A study which found that just one fifth of divorcing couples considered pensions when dividing their assets reinforces how their importance as  a valuable asset in relationship breakdown remains overlooked.  

Sadly, we work with many clients who, along with their children, are victims of domestic abuse. 

Jones Myers has been awarded another Band 1 ranking in Chambers UK 2024 legal guide - just two weeks after retaining its top status in the Legal 500 guide.

Niche family law firm Jones Myers, is again included in eprivateclient’s  top family law firms which acknowledges the country’s best private client law practices.

Jones Myers niche family law firm has moved to contemporary new headquarters in the heart of Leeds.

Niche family law firm Jones Myers has retained its Number 1 ranking in the Legal 500 guide for almost three decades.

Powerful recommendations from peers have resulted in Jones Myers award-winning, niche family lawyers’ inclusion in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom.

Jones Myers partner, Kate Banerjee, has been named ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in the coveted Private Client category of the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards.

Joes Myers has helped to raise £12,500 for a charity which enhances the quality of life for thousands of people with sight loss and wide-ranging disabilities.

The York office of Jones Myers is marking further growth with a new appointment following the firm’s move to bigger city centre offices.

The commitment of Jones Myers niche family law firm to recognise tomorrow’s talent includes awarding a special prize to a Masters law graduate at Leeds Beckett University.

Niche family law firm Jones Myers has further expanded the team at its Harrogate office with the appointment of children law Paralegal, Brittany Dyer.

Jones Myers has appointed a senior family law specialist with almost four decades of expertise in relationship breakdown and financial settlements to head its Harrogate office.

Jones Myers has gone the extra mile to help raise almost £10k in a vibrant fundraiser to help society’s poorest and most disadvantaged members.