Pensions & Divorce - A Masterclass for Family Lawyers

Introduction

Two important pieces of legislation affecting pensions were passed in 2014 - The Pensions Act 2014 which introduces a new State Pension system and the Taxation of Pensions Act 2014 which gives many people easier access to all or part of their pensions. Both pieces of legislation have a major impact on the way that family lawyers advise their clients in relation to pension arrangements on divorce or dissolution.

Additionally there continue to be changes to the important and difficult public sector schemes. Pension sharing, offsetting and attachment are all difficult areas for family lawyers and it is clear that they have caused problems as illustrated by the increasing number of negligence claims being brought against solicitors practising in this area.

What You Will Learn

This course will cover the following:

• The changes to pensions and how they impact on the work of family lawyers
• Changes to public sector pension schemes and how they affect family lawyers
• New cases
• Dealing with litigants in person
• Liberalisation of access to pensions
• Changes to public sector pensions
• Advising clients
• When to use experts. What sort of expert to use. What to ask them
• What pitfalls should you be aware of?
• How will your approach to advising on pensions issues on marriage/civil partnership breakdown be different from last year?
• When and what advice will you need for your client?