Ending a marriage or civil partnership does not automatically deal with the financial claims that both parties have against each other. Financial claims can be made by either party over matrimonial assets whether held in joint names or in one party’s sole name and the court can make a range of orders to divide those assets. The court also has the power to make orders relating to maintenance and pensions. Financial claims can only be finalised by way of a court order, either one made by the court of its own volition or by approving an agreement reached between the parties. Up to, and until, an order is made, it is possible for either party to make a claim against the assets of the other party, even many years after the divorce has been finalised.