This study aims to provide the first detailed picture of how finances are sorted out and property divided on divorce in England and Wales so that policy-makers and legal practitioners can have robust, detailed information on how far the current law delivers fair financial outcomes for families going through marital breakdown. It will gather information from both couples who do and those who do not use the courts and offer guidance to those going through a divorce on the kinds of arrangements most likely to deliver fair outcomes for the parties and their children. It will address the following broad questions: 

1) What are the financial and property arrangements made? 

• How are assets, such as the former matrimonial home, savings and pensions divided?
• How often is provision made for ongoing financial support of an ex-spouse?
• What provision is made for financial support for children?

2) How do divorcing couples arrive at financial and property arrangements? 

• What forms of advice and assistance do couples use in making arrangements?
• Why do individuals use or not use legal routes?
• What rationales do divorcing couples apply in making arrangements, including those who make none?
• What are individuals’ views about those arrangements? 

3) What are the outcomes of those arrangements? 

• Is the arrangement workable?
• Have changes been made subsequently?
• Is the outcome perceived as fair?