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The outstanding level of service delivered to clients, coupled with a high level of teamwork, have secured Jones Myers a place in the finals of a major family law award. The practice has been shortlisted in the Family Law Firm of the Year Regional category, which covers the North of England, in the Lexis Nexis Family Law Awards. Judges also based their decision on how clients rated the firm, how Jones Myers gives back to its local communities, along with the training and career progression of employees. Andrew Fox, Jones Myers In-house Barrister and Director, said: “As a firm we are proud of our reputation in attracting the best lawyers in our field. Being a finalist in these prestigious awards is testimony to our top teamwork and commitment to consistently deliver excellence to our valued clients. We warmly congratulate all the firm’s shortlisted.” Jones Myers has been honoured to clinch the Family Law Firm of the Year, Regional title on two previous occasions. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Wednesday, November 19. This year the practice has also been Highly Commended for Outstanding Client Care in The Modern Law Private Client Awards 2025, which re-enforced how exceptional client care lies at the very heart of the firm’s ethos. The Highly Commended accolade also acknowledged Jones Myers’ innovation in improving  and maintaining client care, and how the firm embraces digital technologies and exceeds customer expectations. The practice’s tireless dedication to it its clients at home and overseas is also reflected in its standing in the top five per cent of UK law practices which deliver family law services. The ranking by Review Solicitors, an independent legal review site, highlights how Jones Myers outperforms its peers nationwide, awarding the practice a consistent ‘Excellent’ rating. With headquarters in Leeds and offices in York and Harrogate, Jones Myers has retained its top tier rankings in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK guides for over three decades. For queries on any aspect of family law, call Jones Myers at Leeds 0113 246 0055, Harrogate 01423 276104, or York 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email [email protected] or tweet @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 5th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

We have previously shared insights on staying on the right financial track during divorce, particularly if you have not had to deal with managing practicalities such as tax, standing orders, direct debits during your marriage. Our tips included vital areas such as Financial Disclosure, how concealing assets can incur stiff penalties - and why pensions are vital to include in financial settlements. In this article we look at key areas when planning your finances post-divorce. Obtain a formal Financial Order Once a financial settlement is agreed, it is almost always best for the terms agreed to be made final and binding in a Court Order. This legally binding document details the main assets owned by divorcing couples and sets out the financial arrangements agreed between them. The terms of an order are binding and can be enforced through the courts if there are any problems putting those terms into effect. It is important to understand that the divorce process itself does not dismiss financial claims which  can be pursued many years after the divorce has been finalised, provided the person bringing the application has not remarried. It is vital to have this conversation when separating. Avoid exceeding your budget  I am not a financial adviser, but these are some pointers which might be useful to think about: Create a ‘to do’ list of all things financial (bills etc) and one for enjoyable things like breaks Consider having two bank accounts - one for day-to-day expenses and associated expenses, direct debits, standing orders and credit card payment. The second for savings for exceptional expenses - non-essential clothing, holidays, house repairs. Set out the absolute and exact payments needed every month for your house and family Know when your maintenance payments arrive and budget accordingly. Ensure standing orders don’t go out before monthly payments are due in Apply to your Council for council tax discount which applies if you are on your own or have younger children Expand your support network if you’re on your own or have children Take professional advice on preparing/budgeting for your retirement Make a will. If you have a pension or life assurance, ensure it includes your chosen beneficiaries and is updated. Review it every few years. Stay healthy in body and mind   Spousal Maintenance and Child Maintenance  Spousal maintenance will usually be paid for a period of time to enable you to adjust to financial independence or when your financial needs are reduced, for example if you are unable to work through illness. Spousal maintenance will stop if you remarry or enter into a civil partnership or if either of you dies. It could also be affected if you meet a new partner and move in together Plan for when child maintenance child maintenance terminates. Child maintenance is payable for children under sixteen and youngsters under twenty who are still in full time education.   Consider Financial Planning   Obtaining financial advice during settlement negotiations can be helpful. Many financial advisers use cashflow modelling, which examines how different settlement options might pan out in the future. In processes such as collaborative practice or mediation, it is quite common to bring a financial adviser into the process as a neutral to help the discussions. Further financial advice can then be taken on an individual basis when settlement terms are clear. Jones Myers works with tried and tested financial advisers who we can recommend to our valued clients. Financial advice pre-divorce and post-divorce can help you to stay on the right financial track as  you embark on the next phase of their lives. This article was originally commissioned for, and published in, The Divorce Magazine. For queries on pensions in divorce or any aspect of family law, call 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), 01904 202550 (York). Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email [email protected] or tweet @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025. By Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Mitchell – Mediator and Collaborative Family Lawyer

Jones Myers family law firm has presented an annual award for exceptional performance to a Masters law student for the sixth consecutive year. The 2025 Jones Myers Prize for the Best Overall Performance on Master of Laws of England and Wales at Leeds Beckett University goes to Eloise Smith. Eloise is honoured to receive the accolade which reflects the dedication and hard work she has poured into her studies. She says: “This recognition serves not only as a great honour but also as a source of motivation as I continue my journey in law. My sincere thanks to everyone at Jones Myers for this generous acknowledgment. “The prize has strengthened my ambitions for a career in law. After emigrating to Australia last year, I plan to complete the Practical Legal Training program required for admission as a lawyer in this country, which will further enable me to practice as a solicitor.” Elizabeth Bell, Jones Myers Partner, who presented Eloise with her prize at the graduation ceremony, comments: “Eloise’s outstanding achievement is inspirational, and we wish her every happiness and success in her career.” “As a firm which champions the development of the next generation, Jones Myers values its long-standing partnership with Leeds Beckett University’s Law Faculty. It is a pleasure to reward students like Eloise who go above and beyond.” Jones Myers ongoing commitment to training and mentoring tomorrow’s talent includes the recent appointment of Paralegal Ross Arthur who is based at the practice’s Harrogate town centre office. Attracted to the firm’s powerful reputation for legal excellence and compassionate client care, Ross has joined the Chldren’s Department which is renowned globally and covers every area of public and private children’s law. With headquarters in Leeds, Jones Myers, which has its own in-house counsel, has retained its top tier rankings in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK guides for over three decades. For queries on divorce or any aspect of family law, call Leeds on 0113 246 0055, Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email [email protected] or tweet us @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 5th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

The Harrogate town centre office of niche family law firm, Jones Myers, is marking further expansion with the appointment of Paralegal, Ross Arthur.    Ross is a member of Jones Myers’ award-winning Children’s Department which is renowned regionally, nationally, and internationally - and covers every area of public and private children’s law. Attracted to Jones Myers’ powerful reputation for both legal excellence and compassionate client care, Ross appreciates how the firm balances professionalism with a personal approach. Says Ross: “The opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners, work on wide-ranging cases, and be part of a supportive team environment really stood out to me. “Working with, and learning from, family law specialists on wide-ranging cases, I am enjoying liaising with clients and being part of a supportive team who helps them to achieve the best bespoke solutions for their individual situations.” Jones Myers Partner, Kate Banerjee, who heads the Children’s Department, says: “We warmly welcome Ross to the team and wish him a long and successful career in family law. He is a very committed team member whose values are aligned with our firm’s ethos to consistently deliver excellence in family law.” Jones Myers’ extensive expertise in family law has been further enhanced with the appointment of  Sarah Barr-Young who heads the firm’s Financial Remedies Department in Harrogate. Highly experienced in complex, high net worth financial disputes, Sarah’s reputation in business property portfolios, pensions on divorce and resolving disputes out of court through negotiation is widely recognised. Doubling the size of its York city centre team with a series of new appointments, in July this year Jones Myers received a Highly Commended accolade for Outstanding Client Care at The Modern Law Private Client Awards 2025. In the Outstanding Client Care category for family law firms with over 26 employees, judges acknowledged how the firm innovates to improve and maintain client care, embraces digital technologies - and meets customer expectations. With headquarters in Leeds, Jones Myers, which has its own in-house counsel, has retained its top tier rankings in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK guides for over three decades. For queries on any aspect of family law, call Jones Myers at Leeds 0113 246 0055, Harrogate 01423 276104, or York 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email [email protected] or tweet @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.