Are your divorcing clients stressed about money? 3 mental health benefits of financial advice

If you have divorcing clients who are stressed about money, discover three important mental health benefits they could gain from seeking financial advice.

Divorcing could have both long- and short-term financial consequences for your clients. For some, the legal costs of divorce may be significant, while others could face changes to their income and retirement plans.

Indeed, research by Legal & General (7 February 2024) has revealed that on average, men see their income fall 21% in the year following divorce, while women have to cope with an average 41% drop in income.

So, it’s perhaps not surprising that some of your divorcing clients of either gender may feel stressed about money. Fortunately, there are valuable sources of support that could empower your clients and help them overcome any feelings of anxiety.

Read on to discover three mental health benefits your divorcing clients could gain from working with a financial expert.

1. Improved financial literacy could alleviate stress and boost confidence

According to research published by FT Adviser (3 July 2024), 24 million UK adults have poor financial literacy, making them £20,000 worse off compared to those with a good level of financial knowledge and understanding.

If your client feels unsure about how to manage their wealth effectively, this could lead to stress and anxiety.

This may be especially true for a person who is going through a divorce and is not used to being solely responsible for making important financial decisions.

A financial expert can use their experience and knowledge to educate your clients and improve their understanding of relevant financial matters.

Learning skills such as how to budget effectively, manage debt, maximise savings, and invest for the future, could help your clients adjust to their new financial situation. What’s more, if your clients are equipped to make informed decisions, they may be less likely to make stress-inducing financial mistakes.

As such, financial advice and coaching can be a valuable tool for helping divorcing individuals feel more confident and in control of their financial future. And this has been borne out in research.

In the report, ‘Feeling the benefit of financial advice’, Royal London (September 2020) found that 34% of UK adults said that having access to financial expertise made them feel more confident in their financial plans and more in control of their wealth.

2. Putting a plan in place could provide invaluable peace of mind

Any significant life event, such as getting divorced, may be unsettling and lead to feelings of uncertainty.

According to a recent review of research into uncertainty and mental health published by ScienceDirect (2025), there is an established association between high levels of uncertainty and worsening mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and psychological distress.

Divorce could trigger several uncertainties for your clients, such as where they will live, what their income will be, and how they’ll manage childcare costs.

If your clients are continually worrying about meeting their financial needs, and those of any dependents, this could be extremely stressful.

Putting a financial plan in place could protect an individual’s mental health by helping them feel more in control of their immediate situation and their future.

However, during the potentially emotional experience of divorce, your clients may struggle to think clearly and objectively about their futures. A financial expert can help them take proactive steps such as assessing their new financial situation, creating a budget and building an emergency fund.

While your clients may not be able to remove all uncertainty from their lives, having a comprehensive financial plan could build their resilience and help them cope if something unexpected occurs.

3. Ongoing financial guidance could be an important source of emotional support

The Royal London (September 2020) study found that “Professional advice offers so much more to customers than just practical, financial benefits. It also helps to improve their emotional wellbeing by making them feel better about their money and themselves – especially in times of crisis.”

Respondents who regularly consulted a financial expert felt more financially secure and confident in the following ways:

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Source: Royal London (September 2020).

These benefits could be especially profound for your divorcing clients, who may be feeling financially and emotionally vulnerable.

Indeed, talking through any concerns or uncertainties with an objective and knowledgeable third party, might alleviate pressure and help your clients identify new goals.

Get in touch

As a financial expert who specialises in divorce, I can provide the empathetic support your clients need to navigate current challenges and feel positive about their futures.

If you’d like to learn more about how I can help your clients regain their financial confidence and put them back in control of their wealth following a divorce, please contact me at lottie@truefinancialdesign.co.uk or call 03300889138.

I am also happy to discuss cases with solicitors first, before you refer your clients to me, or you can contact me by email and CC your client accordingly. I am happy to accommodate whatever mode of communication works best for you and your clients.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.