Group Intermediary Director at OSB Group Commentary on Divorce Day

05 January 2026

Adrian Moloney, Group Intermediary Director at OSB Group, said:

“Behind the ‘Divorce Day’ headlines, the biggest pressure point for many separating couples is housing. Research from Legal & General last year shows around 280,000 divorces have been delayed in recent years due to financial pressures, with the cost of setting up two households playing a part.

For those who do separate, the family home is typically at the centre of the decision-making process. Legal & General data also shows that around one in ten couples over 50 use property wealth - through a sale or equity release - to fund the cost of divorce. However, the long-term impact is severe: almost a quarter of those surveyed this year (24%) struggle to rebuild savings after a late-life split, with 180,000 divorcees (13%) saying they will never financially recover.

At the same time, income often falls sharply after separation. Nearly a third (31%) of people who divorce after 50 give up rights to their partner’s pension, but only 8% consult a financial adviser first. This can significantly reduce borrowing power and limit housing options for at least one party. That makes access to flexible lending and good broker advice critical.

As affordability slowly improves and rates stabilise, lenders and brokers have an important role to play in helping people navigate separation without losing access to secure housing, by offering solutions that reflect real-world complexity, not just headline rates.”