Occasionally, a client tells me that they want to take their spouse “for everything they've got” within their divorce. My role is to show a client their options, the procedure for moving forward and also, on the basis of the Law itself and my experience, advise them in relation to the likely outcome in financial terms.

It is understandable that, when a marriage has broken down, a party may feel aggrieved, betrayed, abandoned and many other emotions, leading them to feel that the other party should “pay” both emotionally and financially.

However, it would be unprofessional of me to suggest that we pursue every penny if, in the circumstances, this is not what a Court would deem appropriate. My role is to help a client achieve the best possible outcome based on their own (unique) situation but also to ensure that they understand when what they are hoping to achieve is unrealistic.

To pursue an outcome which is not achievable will only result in increasing costs on both sides and, to be frank, will only benefit the Solicitors. It may also permanently damage their relationship, which is particularly undesirable when there are children involved.

There is no point spending more than you will receive from the divorce settlement and sometimes this means having to consider a compromise to bring matters to a conclusion before all of the money has been spent.