Clean Break Risks

In light of the the current economic situation The Guardian highlights the difficulty city bankers face because since they opted for a clean break settlement on divorce their income has dropped significantly. In England & Wales many of the highly paid choose a large, clean-break settlement to avoid not be liable for long-term maintenance costs. Maintenance may be varied if there is a substantial drop in income but it is difficult to renegotiate one off payments required for a clean break.

Given family law in Scotland is underpinned by the 'clean break' there must be a number of people who find themselves in a similar position when their income has reduced effecting the ability to recover from the effects of the settlement.