Pensions
In police cases, the pension is often the most valuable asset on divorce and yet, due to their complexity, a great deal of confusion surrounds them.
It is as a result of this misunderstanding that officers who do not seek guidance from an expert are often provided with incorrect and often misleading advice.
A number of law firms do advertise themselves as being pension experts but invariably this is nothing but a sales ploy.
Any police officer contemplating divorce should seek advice immediately as to the steps that should be taken to obtain the correct pension valuation. Advice should also be sought before any discussions take place as to the officers intended retirement date or decisions as to whether to commute or not.
Early advice could result in pension savings later on.
At RJW we understand your pension and can provide comprehensive advice as to how the courts are likely to deal with the pension as part of the financial settlement. We are used to dealing with cases where the pension is in payment due to retirement or ill health and can advise as to the options available.
In the more contentious divorce cases, it is not uncommon for the spouse of a police officer to seek advice from a pension actuary who provides a report within the court process. The conclusions reached in such reports are often unhelpful to police officer cases and it is therefore imperative that the reports are challenged from the outset.
