More than a third (36%) of people going through divorce or separation in England and Wales have lived, or expect to live, with their former partner while sorting out financial arrangements.
A SeparateSpace Annual Divorce Survey 2026 shows that one in three respondents remained under the same roof during separation, often because moving out was financially unviable.
Of those continuing to live together, 84% had children, including those over the age of 18. Divorce experts at SeparateSpace warn that many couples drift into this arrangement without making early, proactive decisions about short-term finances, child arrangements and practical living boundaries. Without clear planning, pressure can quickly escalate, placing significant strain on all involved.
Divorce proceedings are lengthy, with Family Court statistics for July to September 2025, divorces in England and Wales showing it takes an average of 67 weeks to reach a final order, underlining the prolonged nature of current proceedings.
Financial imbalance and access to advice: The survey reveals a stark disparity in access to professional support. Respondents who described themselves as financially weaker than their former partner expected to spend an average of £2,300 on professional advice, compared with £5,100 among those who considered themselves financially stronger.
Financially weaker respondents were also significantly more likely to receive no legal advice at all (34% compared with 20%), raising concerns about whether financial settlements are being reached on an informed and equitable basis.
Overall, 39% of respondents said the cost of legal advice prevented them from obtaining the help they believed they needed. Those earning under £2,000 per month were almost four times more likely to have no legal advice than those earning above £4,000.
(Image: Getty Images)
Impact on children, work and wellbeing: Confidence in supporting children through separation varied widely. While around two thirds (67%) said they felt very or quite confident, nearly one in three felt neutral or lacked confidence, underlining how emotionally challenging divorce can be for families.
Most people reported limited budgets for professional support. Nearly one in five (17%) said they had no budget at all, while almost half (48%) expected to spend £2,000 or less. Only a small minority (around 6%) anticipated spending more than £15,000, showing that full-service legal representation remains out of reach for most separating households.
Divorce also had a clear impact on working life. One third (33%) said the process negatively affected their mental health at work, contributing to anxiety, depression or stress. More than one in five reported reduced performance or increased time off, while fewer than a quarter said their employer provided adequate support. Notably, one in four considered reducing their hours or leaving their job altogether, and one in ten ultimately left their role.
“Living together after deciding to separate can be extremely challenging, particularly for parents who are trying to manage their feelings while maintaining stability for their children,” says SeparateSpace relationship expert and therapist Joanna Harrison.
“Agreeing some basic ground rules, even around everyday issues like food shopping, time alone at home and ensuring you have weekly check-ins, can make a significant difference. When couples are unable to manage these conversations alone, involving a mediator or therapist can be a valuable investment.”
Pensions: a critical but overlooked asset: Despite private pensions often being among the largest household assets, 43% of respondents were unaware that pensions should be included in financial separation negotiations. Among those without legal advice, this figure rose to 57%, suggesting that lack of professional guidance may be contributing to long-term financial disadvantage.
“Pensions should be a central part of financial discussions in divorce and, in many cases, may be worth more than the family home,” says Karen Ritchie, SeparateSpace financial planner, who specialises in divorce.
“Our findings show that many people still don’t realise pensions can form part of a settlement, highlighting the importance of accessing guidance created by professionals rather than relying on internet searches.”
She adds: “The first step is to contact pension schemes and request a cash equivalent value for divorce purposes. This allows couples to compare assets more accurately. It’s important to allow time for this process, as some schemes can take months to provide the information. We’ve adapted our SeparateSpace webinars to help people understand the basics of pensions and the different types, particularly for those encountering this for the first time.”