Family Court Powers in Divorce ============================== What Powers Do Family Courts Have in Financial Settlements? ----------------------------------------------------------- Family courts in England and Wales have extensive powers to ensure a fair financial settlement during divorce. These powers allow judges to issue a range of financial remedy orders tailored to the specific needs of each case. Key Financial Orders the Court Can Make --------------------------------------- [**Property adjustment orders**](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/property-adjustment-orders) - An order allowing the court to redistributing the parties' property between them, for example, by ordering the sale of the family home [**Pension orders**](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/pension-orders-in-divorce) - An order allocating a share of a party's pension to their spouse [**Lump sum orders**](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/lump-sum-orders-in-divorce) - An order requiring one party to pay a lump sum to the other **Maintenance orders** - An order requiring one party to make regular payments to the other, either in the form of [spousal maintenance](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/spousal-maintenance), or [child maintenance ](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/child-maintenance) How Does the Court Decide Which Orders to Make? ----------------------------------------------- The court considers several factors under [Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/section-25-factors), including: - Income, earning capacity, and financial resources - Financial needs and obligations - Standard of living during the marriage - Age and health of both parties - Contributions to the marriage (financial and non-financial) - Welfare of any children The court's goal is to achieve a fair outcome, guided by three principles: - [**Needs**](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/the-needs-principle): Ensuring both parties can meet their future needs - [**Sharing**](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/the-sharing-principle): Treating marriage as a partnership of equals - [**Compensation**](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/the-principle-of-compensation): Recognising sacrifices made during the marriage (e.g., career breaks for childcare) ### **Need Expert Advice?** **If you are considering or going through a divorce and are concerned about the orders the court might make, contact Vardags today for a free initial consultation with one of our expert divorce solicitors.** [BOOK FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact "BOOK FREE CONSULTATION") About Us -------- Ayesha VardagFounder & President "A DIVORCE LAWYER WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST" The Metro Vardags offer a unique approach to the law, specially tailored to the needs of HNW individuals. We offer City-quality representation for your divorce and family law needs. Our lawyers come from the very best universities and receive the very best training - they are determined, diligent, and dedicated to getting the best outcome... [read more](https://vardags.com/about-us) [BOOK FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact) Related Guides -------------- [Child Maintenance: What You Need to Know](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/child-maintenance "Child Maintenance: What You Need to Know") [Lump Sum Orders in Divorce: What They Are & How They Work](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/lump-sum-orders-in-divorce "Lump Sum Orders in Divorce: What They Are & How They Work") [Pension Orders in Divorce: Sharing, Attachment & Offsetting](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/pension-orders-in-divorce "Pension Orders in Divorce: Sharing, Attachment & Offsetting") [Property Adjustment Orders in Divorce](https://vardags.com/law-guide/how-the-courts-decide-a-financial-settlement/property-adjustment-orders "Property Adjustment Orders in Divorce") The information on this website is intended as a guide and does not constitute legal advice. Vardags do not accept liability for any errors in the information on this website, nor any losses stemming from reliance upon the statements made herein. All articles and pages aim to reflect the legal position at time they were published, and may have been rendered obsolete by subsequent developments in the law. Should you require specialist advice, tailored to your situation, please see how Vardags can help you. OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM ------------------- [### Ayesha Vardag](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family") [### Stephen Bence](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO") [### David Lister](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister") [Founder & President](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family") [Chief Executive Officer](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO") [Senior Partner and Head of London Family - Divorce & Family](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister") [### Ayesha Vardag Founder & President](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family")"Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." The Telegraph [### Stephen Bence Chief Executive Officer](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/stephen-bence "Stephen Bence Vardags CEO")"Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius." Lewis Marks KC [### David Lister Senior Partner and Head of London Family - Divorce & Family ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister")"Brilliant with a real spark which clients love" Legal 500 [Meet the rest of the team](https://vardags.com/team) [Vardags climbs ranks of UK's biggest firms in The Lawyer's UK 200](https://vardags.com/posts/vardags-london-climbs-ranks-of-uks-biggest-firms-in-the-lawyers-uk-200)