Pensions and Divorce Service

We provide an easy-to-use, cost-effective and professional service designed by our pension specialists for both family solicitors and their clients when they have to deal with the pension arrangements within the total family assets.

Our service covers the whole pension sharing process from collating and analysing information to the provision of a report and financial advice on the implementation of the pension credit.  

Divorce, as we all know, can be a very stressful and life changing event for everyone concerned, and at this most difficult of times, it is comforting for those affected to know that a professional service is at hand to guide them through the many complex areas that exist within the pensions world.

The service we offer is available to accountants, solicitors and their clients.

The process

Ashton Hoyle Independent Financial Advisers offers three main services designed by our pension specialists for use by clients, solicitors and/or accountants:

1. The standard  ‘Pensions and Divorce’ report service

A standard report setting out the value of the pension rights and a list of suggested options for dealing with those rights. It is prepared using neutral actuarial assumptions and is designed to be used for joint instructions in accordance with the practice notes, to help complete Form E and be simple and straightforward to use.

The standard report service also includes follow up advice and assistance. We will contact you and discuss the findings of the report. We will also discuss what other options might be suited to the circumstances.  We are very experienced with the various options on pensions and divorce and will be able to explain the report findings and the implications for settlement in a clear and straight forward manner.

To use this service you will need to complete our instruction and letter of authority forms jointly with the other party to the proceedings. We will provide the appropriate letter of authority to help obtain the required information from each of the relevant pension providers. If you have already obtained information from the pension providers concerned in the course of completing the Form E, please attach this to the instruction form.  We will contact the pension providers to obtain all the pensions information required. 

If you are not in a position to provide joint instructions you will need to obtain details of your client's spouse's pension provision (including details on their Additional State Pension, i.e., SERPS / S2P) and signed authority letters in respect of each provision.

You will receive a completed report within 20 working days of our receipt of all the necessary information from the pension providers. Regular updates of the current position are also provided.

As part of the service we will complete an early assessment of the complexities of the case and may possibly recommend that the enhanced advice service would be of better value to you and your clients.

2. The enhanced ‘Pensions and Divorce’ report service

A more bespoke service designed to meet the needs of clients with more complex pension provisions. In some circumstances our standard report will not be appropriate to your and your client’s needs.  As part of the service we will complete an early assessment of the complexities of the case and might recommend that the enhanced advice service would be of better value to you and your clients. A member of our staff will contact you to discuss your needs and provide fee estimates.  The 'enhanced' advice service uses bespoke actuarial assumptions, and is suitable for use either as a joint instructed or sole instructed service. It includes the ability to retain expert witnesses.

To use this service you will need to complete our Instruction and Letters of Authority forms jointly with the other party to the proceedings. We will provide the appropriate letter of authority to help obtain the required information from each of the relevant pension providers.

If you are not in a position to provide joint instructions you will need to obtain details of your client's spouse's pension provision (including details on their Additional State Pension, i.e., SERPS / S2P) and signed authority letters in respect of each provision.

Send the forms to our office at Ashton Hoyle Independent Financial Advisers, Guardian House, Capricorn Park, Blakewater Road, Blackburn BB1 5QR. Our specialists will audit the forms on arrival and arrange to then meet you to discuss your needs in more detail and provide fee estimates.

You will receive a completed report within 20 working days of our receipt of all the necessary information from the pension providers. Regular updates of the current position are also provided.

As part of the service we will complete an early assessment of the complexities of the case and might recommend that the complete financial advice service would be of better value to you and your clients.

3. The complete ‘Pensions and Divorce’ report service

This service allows solicitors to completely hand over the complex task of obtaining, analysing and recommending on all of the relevant pension and non-pension arrangements. In particular, the service covers the following:

• Initial meeting with solicitor and their client
• Additional meeting with client and completion of Personal Financial Summary
• Data gathering (including completion of relevant forms) for pension and non-pension assets
• Liaising with other professional advisers
• Analysis of all relevant financial information (including effects of pension simplification legislation)
• Analysis of all available options
• Determine appropriate settlement solutions
• Produce full report [including the implications of any adjusted CETVs (where appropriate)]
• Present detailed report to solicitor and client
• Assist with the implementation requirements, i.e., provide recommendations as to an appropriate pension arrangement capable of receiving any ‘credited’ pension funds resulting from a pension sharing order and assist with the completion of Form P1.

If you decide to use our complete ‘Pensions and Divorce’ report service, you will find that we are highly experienced with the various options on pensions and divorce and will be able to explain the report findings and the implications for settlement as well as assist with the implementation of any pension agreement or court order.

Also, to use this service your client will need to complete a Personal Financial Summary so that we can ensure our advice is suitable to your client's needs.

Forms can be obtained by contacting our office at:

Ashton Hoyle Independent Financial Advisers
Guardian House
Capricorn Park
Blakewater Road
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB1 5QR

If you need further assistance at anytime please contact our senior divorce pensions specialist, Paul Hoyle, on 01254-660444 or email at phoyleashtonhoyle.co.uk