Are you in a rush to get your divorce “over with”? Here’s why every woman needs to take the time to get a fair financial settlement

If you’re going through a divorce, you might feel impatient to achieve a clean break and move on with the next chapter of your life. This may be especially true if your ex-spouse or civil partner is acting unreasonably and pressuring you to move things along.

However, rushing to finalise your financial settlement could have unintended negative consequences.

This legally binding agreement is a crucial (yet entirely separate) part of the divorce process, which determines how shared money, property, and other assets will be divided between you and your ex-spouse or civil partner.

Read on to learn about three potential risks of rushing to agree on a financial settlement, and find out how I can help you achieve a more positive outcome by taking a slower, more considered approach.

3 reasons why rushing could leave you with an unsatisfactory financial settlement

A divorce can be an emotionally exhausting process that may follow a long period of unhappiness and stress. As such, the desire for closure might feel strong.

Unfortunately, while pushing for a quick settlement may offer short-term emotional relief, it could come at the cost of your long-term financial security.

Here are three reasons why:

1. Overlooking or undervaluing key assets

You might have a substantial and complex portfolio of shared assets, especially if you and your ex-spouse or civil partner were together for many years. This may include overseas investments and property, business interests, funds held in trust, and much more.

If you’re in a hurry to reach a financial agreement, there could be a higher risk of overlooking or undervaluing some of these key assets.

For example, according to Pensions Age (2 April 2025), only 13% of divorcing couples consider pensions – often one of the most valuable marital assets – when dividing their finances. Moreover, women are more likely to waive their rights to their partner’s pension (28% of women compared to just 17% of men), which could have a significant impact on their retirement income.

Pensions and other complex assets can also be difficult to value. As such, failing to allow time for a suitably qualified professional to assess them could result in an undervaluation that leads to an unfair settlement.

Read more: Why a Pension Sharing Order could be essential if you’re getting divorced

2. Agreeing to a settlement that doesn’t meet your long-term needs

If you feel pressured to make a quick decision, you might be more likely to focus on immediate financial matters, such as securing a home and covering childcare costs.

While these are important issues to resolve, agreeing to a settlement that provides what you need now may not deliver the support you (and your dependants) need in 10, 20, or 30 years.

Moreover, the long-term implications of a financial settlement are often especially important considerations for women who, in contrast to men, may:

• Have reduced earning capacity due to career breaks for childcare
• Live longer and have higher later-life care needs
• Have a smaller pension pot.

That’s why careful and patient financial planning supported by a professional is crucial. They can use sophisticated cashflow modelling software to give you a clear picture of your future income needs and assess the potential impact of factors such as your longevity and inflation on your wealth.

3. A risk of ongoing financial claims and uncertainty

Financial settlements that have been rushed through may leave issues unresolved, which could cause problems in the future. For example, ambiguity around maintenance payments may result in future disputes that affect how much you receive and for how long you receive this support.

Not only might such uncertainty leave you exposed to financial claims by your ex-spouse or partner long after your divorce is finalised, but it could also lead to ongoing stress and financial vulnerability.

In other words, what may have felt like a prompt and simple resolution could delay the financial stability and peace of mind you were seeking.

I can help you take a calm, considered approach that supports a fair outcome

As you can see, rushing to reach a financial settlement could jeopardise your long-term financial security and make it harder to achieve your goals.

In contrast, taking your time could allow you to negotiate an agreement that truly meets your needs – both now and in the future.

I can help by:

• Providing a clear overview of your current financial situation
• Focusing on your long-term security rather than achieving a quick resolution
• Engaging experts to provide accurate valuations of complex assets, such as pensions
• Giving you the time and space to consider what you need rather than reacting to what’s offered
• Supporting you to set meaningful goals and identify what a “fair” settlement looks like to you
• Using cashflow modelling to show how different settlement options may impact your future
• Providing the advice and guidance you need to make informed decisions about trade-offs, for example, whether to waive pension rights in favour of keeping the marital home.

Read more: House or pension? Financial guidance can help divorcing women make this tough decision.

Get in touch

If you need help taking a step back and reviewing your financial settlement options at your own pace, I’d love to hear from you.

I can provide the practical and emotional support you need to feel confident negotiating a fair outcome that meets both your short- and long-term needs.

To learn more about the support I offer, please get in touch by email at lottie@truefinancialdesign.co.uk or call 03300 889138.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate cashflow planning.

A pension is a long-term investment; the fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend upon the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.

Approved by 2plan wealth management Ltd on 09/06/2026