.svg){kind=small}
Insight > Divorce and family FAQs > During my relationship, I experienced economic abuse and I did not have access to, or knowledge of,
During my relationship, I experienced economic abuse and I did not have access to, or knowledge of, the family finances. How can I know what I am entitled to in a divorce?
Economic abuse (including monitoring, questioning, and restricting a spouse's access to money or spending and taking out liabilities in their name) affects a significant proportion of victims and survivors of domestic abuse (95% according to a May 2024 UK Finance report 'From Control to Financial Freedom'). It is therefore not unusual for people coming out of abusive relationships to have a limited understanding of, as well as access to, the family resources.
When making a financial claim on divorce, the first step is to obtain financial disclosure – this includes details of all assets (properties, bank accounts, businesses, trusts etc) in which each person has an interest (see: Do I have to give financial disclosure as part of my divorce?). The rules apply in all financial claims cases on divorce.
If disclosure is not provided further disclosure orders can be made with penal notices attached which puts the non-disclosing party at risk of fines or imprisonment if they continue to fail to disclose.
Disclosure orders can also be made to obtain information directly from banks or other institutions or third parties. In some situations, orders can also be obtained in other countries for disclosure.
Where disclosure is provided, your lawyer will be able to review the information provided and ask questions to seek to obtain a full financial picture.
Where insufficient information is ultimately obtained, judges can make assumptions ('adverse inferences') about why a person is unwilling to provide that information in deciding what they think is a fair financial outcome. Judges are absolutely clear: a person should not benefit from their failure to provide full disclosure.
In these FAQs and answers, we use 'England' as a shorthand for 'England and Wales' because England and Wales share a single legal system. Scotland, meanwhile, is a different legal system and has different rules for many aspects of family law.
We have also chosen to talk about 'marriages' most of the time (which may be between either an opposite or same-sex couple). Unless we say otherwise, what we have said is also true of civil partnerships (which may also be between an opposite or same-sex couple).
These FAQs (and our website more generally) contain general information based on English law as it stands at the date of publication, but they do not constitute legal advice, nor are they tailored to any couple or family's particular circumstances. Whilst we endeavour to ensure it is accurate and up to date, website users should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from any action based on the content of the website. We would, of course, be willing to assist with this, and you can contact us here.
Any pricing information is similarly general. Our clients' relationship with us is governed by the terms of the engagement letter sent to them at the beginning of their instruction.
Get in touch
Our team of divorce law solicitors are on hand to help and support couples who are thinking about divorce. Speak to one of our experts confidentially by phoning Sarah on the number below, or complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you directly.
Email Sarah