Even if you have reached a verbal agreement with your spouse, we strongly recommend that you obtain a financial settlement agreement to protect you and your family in the long term and to ensure the fair division of all assets. This is called a Financial Remedy Order. It is a legally binding ‘watertight’ financial settlement – agreed consensually and put before the Court for approval. If the case is contested the Court can impose the order. There have been many cases where, years after they have divorced, applicants have been successful in making a financial claim against their former spouse. A settlement agreement will protect your interests now and will protect you from your spouse making a claim over any future inheritance, assets or windfall.