Remember to be wary of scams, especially when dating online. Scammers may use dating websites, social networks and chat rooms to trick you into giving away information or money. Learn how to spot the signs on our webpage Different types of scams. You can also find more information about dating fraud on Action Fraud, or take a look at this Guide to Spotting Romance Fraudsters published by Thames Valley Police.

Everyone has the right to live free from harm, and that includes financial harm. This is when someone causes you harm by controlling or mishandling your finances or assets. There are many ways you can be financially abused, and you may not realise it, or you may think your situation doesn’t qualify. For more information, and to find out how to protect yourself against financial harm, visit our webpage Stopping financial abuse.

It’s always worth getting a benefits check to make sure you (and your partner if you have one) are claiming everything you’re entitled to. Contact our Helpline for a free benefits check.

When you divorce or dissolve your civil partnership, you’ll have to pay court fees. The cost can vary depending on where you live in the UK and your circumstances. MoneyHelper lists some of the main costs you might expect to pay. You may be able to get help with costs if you’re on certain benefits or your savings and income are below a certain amount.

If you take legal advice, you’ll also have to pay legal fees. The amount depends on how much work the solicitor does for you and what they charge. They may offer a fixed-price service or charge by the hour. Many law firms do offer free initial consultations, which can be helpful if you’re deciding between firms.

If you and your ex-partner both agree and your finances are straightforward, you could have a do-it-yourself divorce or dissolution. This has little to no involvement from a solicitor and can be a cheaper option. You’ll still need to go through the formal legal process, so you would pay court costs. It’s a good idea to meet at least once with a specialist family lawyer because there may be things you haven’t considered. They can check that any agreement is legally binding and that you’ve understood the full implications.

If you and your partner agree about how to divide your money and property, you can avoid going to court. MoneyHelper has a useful divorce and money calculator to help you work out your finances. You can also download Advice Now’s guide to sorting out your finances.

Your pension – and your partner’s – may be one of your most important assets after your home. The rules about what happens after dissolution or divorce are quite complicated. Find out more about your options at MoneyHelper. You may also want to get legal advice – you can find legal specialists through the Law Society.

If the divorce or dissolution becomes bitter, you may need to act quickly to protect your rights to your home (if you own one) and finances – MoneyHelper has more advice. You’ll need to tell your mortgage lender that you and your partner are no longer together if you have a mortgage. You are both responsible for the whole loan if you have a joint mortgage, so you’ll have to discuss  how to handle mortgage repayments. If you rent your home and you are both on the tenancy agreement, you can contact your landlord and change it so that only one person is on the agreement.

MoneyHelper has more information about the financial implications of separating from a partner.

A mediator can help you come to an agreement. If your divorce or dissolution involves a financial settlement, you have to attend at least one mediation information and assessment meeting before applying for a court ruling. Mediation is usually cheaper than going to court and you may be able to get help with costs, such as legal aid. You can get more information from the Family Mediation Council.

You may also need to change your will. See our section about wills below.
You’ll also need to work out whether you have enough life insurance or if you need to get some. You can’t divide a joint life insurance policy.

Citizens Advice has a useful budgeting tool to help you work out your finances. 
You might now be able to claim additional benefits, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. Try our benefits calculator or contact our Helpline to work out what you could qualify for. 

You could also contact the Pension Service for advice on whether you can use your ex-spouse or civil partner’s National Insurance record to increase your State Pension.
If you were claiming benefits jointly with a previous partner, you will need to contact the relevant benefits offices to let them know about the separation.

After a death, you may be facing a lot of financial decisions on top of unexpected expenses. Depending on the person’s pension scheme, you may be able to get part of their private pension – you’ll need to contact their specific pension scheme provider. You may also be able to receive extra payments from your partner’s State Pension. Get in touch with the Pension Service to check.

MoneyHelper has more information about sorting out pensions and how to protect your finances following the death of a spouse or civil partner.

If you’re getting Pension Credit or any other means-tested benefits, including Council Tax Support and Universal Credit, your new partner’s income, savings, property and investments will now be taken into account. You’ll need to tell the relevant benefits offices, your local council and the Pension Service that you’ve remarried or you’re living with a new partner, as soon as possible.

If you’re receiving Pension Credit and your new partner is below State Pension age, you could lose your entitlement to Pension Credit. Call our Helpline to arrange to speak to an adviser if you think this might affect you.

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you may be able to use part of your former spouse or new partner’s National Insurance record to count towards your State Pension.

The new State Pension is based on your own national insurance record and you can’t usually use your former partner or spouse’s National Insurance record. Contact the Future Pension Centre helpline for more advice.

Other pension schemes have different rules about your rights to a former partner or spouse’s pension if you remarry. You should check your position with the pension provider.  

If you belong to a pension scheme, you may want to change your nominated beneficiary. This is the person who receives any benefits from the scheme when you die.

When you remarry or enter a new civil partnership, usually any will that you’ve written is invalid – see the section on wills below. 

Once your divorce or dissolution is finalised, any money or property left to your former spouse or partner won’t go to them (unless your will says otherwise) but the rest of your will is still valid. Until then, your will is valid so you may want to consider making an interim will.

After you remarry or enter into a new civil partnership, your previous will is normally no longer valid. You’ll need to write a new will if you want to make sure that your beneficiaries – for example, children from a first marriage – get what you intend. If you’re only making minor changes, you may just need to add an additional clause, called a codicil, to your previous will.