AI Barrister Review - Family Law Service

Before You Start

Welcome to the AI Barrister Review.

This tool provides a written analysis of how a court in England or Wales might decide your financial settlement based on the information you provide. It is designed to give you an informed view of the likely outcome of your case and is similar in style to a barrister’s written opinion.

The AI Barrister draws on a verified library of 37 leading authorities and the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the main law governing financial settlements on divorce in England and Wales, alongside a searchable library of more than 1,245 family law case summaries, with every primary authority independently checked against the reported judgment.

The process is simple:

Complete this questionnaire.
The AI Barrister analyses the information you provide.
Your personalised report is emailed to you, usually within a few minutes of completion.

The quality of your report depends on the information you provide

The AI Barrister can only assess the facts you tell it. The more information you provide, the more detailed and tailored your report will be.

Please include as much information as possible about:

Assets and debts
Property ownership
Savings and investments
Pensions
Income and outgoings
The history of your relationship
Any relevant health issues
What you and your former partner are seeking

Detailed answers help produce a more accurate and useful report. If you are unsure of a figure, you can select “Don’t Know” where available. However, if you can provide a reasonable estimate, this will usually improve the quality of the assessment.

Most people take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your answers are saved automatically, so you can leave and return at any time.

Important Information

Please read the following carefully before continuing:

The report is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you require legal advice specific to your circumstances, you should speak to a solicitor or barrister.
Your report is generated using artificial intelligence and is not individually reviewed by a legal professional before it is sent to you.
You can save your progress and return later if you need to obtain additional information, such as pension values or property details.

Money Back Guarantee

The AI Barrister Review is designed for straightforward financial settlement cases in England and Wales.

In some situations, the tool may not be suitable. Examples include cases involving very high-value assets, complex international issues, certain trust arrangements, or pre-nuptial agreements.

If your answers show that your case falls outside the scope of the AI Barrister Review, we will let you know at the earliest opportunity and provide a full refund of your £9.50 payment. You will only be charged if we are able to produce a report for your case.

Section 1 of 6

Section A: Suitability Checks

Before we ask about your finances, we need to carry out a few quick checks to make sure the AI Barrister Review is suitable for your circumstances.

This should take around two minutes.

If the tool is not suitable for your case, we will let you know straight away and arrange a full refund.

A1. Are you separating from someone you were married to or in a civil partnership with?

Pick the one that fits.

Yes, we were married Yes, we were in a civil partnership No, we were not married or in a civil partnership (we lived together) No, something else (please tell us)

A2. Where do you and your spouse currently live?

Whichever is closest. If you live in different places, choose the one that fits where you currently are.

We both live in England or Wales One of us lives in England or Wales, the other elsewhere in the UK (Scotland or Northern Ireland) One or both of us lives outside the UK

A3. What is your rough estimate of the total assets in the marriage, not counting pensions?

Property, savings, investments, business interests, vehicles and significant possessions belonging to either of you, less any mortgages and debts. A rough total is fine, you will fill in the detail later.

Under £500,000 £500,000 to £1 million £1 million to £1.5 million £1.5 million to £2 million £2 million to £2.5 million Over £2.5 million I’m not sure, somewhere above £1 million but I don’t know exactly

A4. Do either of you have business interests beyond a simple sole trader operation?

A limited company, partnership, or shares in a private company (not shares listed on a stock exchange) all count as yes.

No Yes, a simple business with an up-to-date professional valuation Yes, a business where I’m not sure of the value Yes, a family business, a business with offshore elements, or one with intra-family loans

A5. Are any of the following true?

Tick all that apply. If none apply, tick the bottom option.

One or both of us has assets outside the UK We have a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement we want considered The divorce is being handled by a court outside England or Wales There is a trust (other than a simple bare trust) holding significant assets for either of us There is a dispute about non-disclosure, one of us thinks the other is hiding assets None of these apply

A6. Where are you in the divorce or separation process?

This helps us pitch the report at the most useful level for your stage.

Separating but haven’t started the divorce yet Divorce applied for but no financial agreement yet In mediation Had mediation but couldn’t agree One of us has issued financial proceedings in court A hearing is coming up (FDA, FDR, or final hearing) The financial side is resolved and I just want a second view

Section B: Basic Facts

Now some basic facts about your marriage and family. A rough month and year is fine where you can’t remember exactly.

B1. Your details

By default your report uses initials only. You can change that at the very end.

Your full name Your age Your address (town and postcode is enough)

B2. Your spouse’s details

Spouse’s full name Spouse’s age (approximate is fine)

Where does your spouse currently live?

With me, in the family home Separately, in a property they have moved to Separately, but they still own or live in the former family home Other (please tell us)

B3. When did you marry or form a civil partnership?

Date (month and year is fine)

B4. When did you separate?

The date you stopped being a couple, even if you carried on living in the same house afterwards.

Date of separation

After you separated, did you carry on living in the same home for a while?

No, we lived separately from then on Yes, for under a year Yes, for a year or more Yes, we still live in the same home

B5. Did you live together as a couple before getting married or forming the civil partnership?

This matters because the law sometimes treats a long cohabitation that turned into a marriage as part of the marriage’s length.

No Yes, for less than a year before we married Yes, for a number of years before we married

B6. Children of the family

Any children you share, and any children of one of you treated as part of the family during the marriage. Include adult children.

No Yes (give details below)

B7. Your current housing situation

Where are you living now?

In the family home In a property I’ve moved to With family or friends temporarily Other

On what basis?

I own it (alone or jointly) I rent it Free, by arrangement Other

B8. Your health and your spouse’s health

Health only matters here if it affects ability to work, ability to care for children, or housing needs. If both are fine, just say so.

Your health

Not an issue Yes, it’s relevant I’d rather discuss with a human reviewer

Your spouse’s health

Not an issue Yes, it’s relevant I’m not sure

B9. Anything else about your family situation we should know before the financial details?

Optional. Anything that hasn’t fitted into the questions above.

Section C: Financial Position

This is the longest and most important section, and the one where detail pays off most. Headlines are fine in most places; we ask for more only where it matters. The fuller and more honest your figures here, the more accurate your report.

C1. The family home

C1.1. Is the family home still owned by one or both of you?

Yes, owned jointly Yes, me only Yes, my spouse only No, we rented No, it has been sold

C2. Other property

C2.1. Does either of you own property other than the family home?

None One, two, or three or more

C3. Savings, accounts and investments

Bank and savings accounts, ISAs, premium bonds, investments, shares. Totals, not every account. Exclude pensions and business interests.

C3.1. Your total savings and investments

I know, £ Estimate, £ Don’t know

C3.2. Your spouse’s total savings and investments

I know, £ Estimate, £ Don’t know

C3.3. Any held jointly?

Yes (included above) Yes, joint total £ No

C3.4. Does any of it come from a non-marital source?

Before the marriage, inheritance, or a gift to you alone. If yes: roughly how much, when received, and whether it was kept separate or mixed with joint funds.

C4. Pensions

Pensions are often the biggest single asset in a divorce and are treated differently from other assets. Different types behave very differently. A £100,000 NHS pension typically produces much more retirement income than a £100,000 personal pension, so the type matters as much as the value. Exclude the State Pension here (we ask about it separately at C4.6).

C4.1. Do you have any pensions?

Workplace, private, SIPP, or final salary.

None One, two, or three or more

C4.5. Your spouse’s pensions (as far as you know)

Leave blank if none. Otherwise, for each, scheme type and current value (CETV) only.

C4.6. State Pension

The State Pension can be a real source of retirement income, which matters for the maintenance and clean-break analysis, especially if either of you is near retirement.

Neither of us is near State Pension age (both more than about 10 years away) One or both of us is within about 10 years of State Pension age One or both of us is already receiving the State Pension Not sure

C5. Business interests

Based on your answer at A4, this section doesn’t apply to you — there’s nothing to fill in below. Continue to C6.

C6. Debts and liabilities

Debts other than mortgages, such as credit cards, loans, car finance, overdrafts, business or tax debts.

C6.1. Your total debts (excluding mortgages)

I know, £ Estimate, £ Don’t know

C6.2. Any single debt over £10,000?

Optional. A short description, the amount, and what the debt was for — this affects who should fairly carry the debt.

C6.3. Your spouse’s total debts (excluding mortgages)

I know, £ Estimate, £ Don’t know

C7. Income

C7.1. Your employment status

C7.2. Your annual gross income from work

Or last full year’s profit if self-employed. Note if it varies a lot (bonuses, commission, irregular work), and any other regular income (rental, dividends, child benefit, universal credit).

Annual gross income Notes (variability, other regular income)

C7.3. Your earning capacity, if different from your current income

What you could realistically earn at full capacity.

C7.4. Your spouse’s income, employment status, and earning capacity

Your best estimate is fine.

Annual gross income Employment status Earning capacity notes

C7.5. Your gross annual income shown on your most recent tax return, P60 or tax calculation

Optional. This lets us cross-check the figure at C7.2 and flag any difference.

C7.6. Any other income not already mentioned above

For example rental profit, dividends, trust income, benefits, or regular financial help from family. A rough total is fine.

C8. Monthly outgoings

These figures now directly shape the maintenance estimate in your report, so a real estimate here is genuinely worth the effort. Round figures are fine.

C8.1. Roughly what does it cost to run your household each month?

Housing, bills, food, transport, basic personal — not children’s costs, not savings.

C8.2. Roughly what do you spend each month on the children’s needs?

Childcare, school costs, activities, child-specific health — not their share of household costs.

C8.3. Your best estimate of your spouse’s total monthly outgoings

Section D: What You Want, and What You Think Your Spouse Wants

Now tell us what you’d like to happen and what you understand your spouse wants, so the report can focus on what’s actually in dispute. There are no right or wrong answers; just be honest.

D1. What would you like to happen with the family home?

Sold and the proceeds divided I keep it and buy my spouse out My spouse keeps it and buys me out I stay for a period (for example until the children are older), then sell, a ‘Mesher’ arrangement Not sure, guide me Other (explain)

D2. What would you like to happen with pensions?

Pensions can be shared (a ‘pension sharing order’) or ‘offset’ (one keeps more of another asset instead).

My spouse’s pension(s) shared with me My own pension(s) left alone Willing to share equally I’d prefer to offset against other assets Guide me Pensions aren’t significant for us Other

D3. What would you like to happen with spousal maintenance?

An ongoing monthly payment from one ex-spouse to the other, separate from child maintenance. Courts strongly favour ‘clean breaks’.

A clean break, no ongoing payments either way I want my spouse to pay me maintenance I’m willing to pay my spouse maintenance Guide me Other

D4. Have you and your spouse discussed an overall split of the assets?

Yes, agreed a rough split Yes, discussed but not agreed No, not discussed It’s complicated (explain)

D5. In your own words, what do you understand your spouse wants, and why?

The more we understand about both sides, the better the report. This covers their position on the home, pensions and maintenance, so tell us anything relevant.

D6. Are the arrangements for the children agreed?

Not applicable Fully agreed Broadly agreed, details to settle Not yet agreed In dispute Court proceedings ongoing

D7. What about child maintenance?

Not applicable Already in place (CMS, court order or family arrangement) Not yet decided In dispute

D8. Do you have any concerns your spouse might not be disclosing all their assets or income?

A general feeling of distrust isn’t a non-disclosure issue; we mean specific reasons.

No, I’m confident I know their position Some concerns, no specific evidence Yes, specific reasons (tell us)

Section E: Context

Nearly there. This captures the broader context. Most questions are optional, but detail still helps.

E1. How would you describe the standard of living during the marriage?

Modest Comfortable Affluent Wealthy

Optional note

E2. Are there contributions you think the court should give particular weight to?

Financial (pre-marital assets, deposits) or non-financial (primary carer, supporting a career). For most marriages these are treated as balanced over time.

Broadly balanced Financial contributions to recognise Non-financial (caring, career sacrifice) Both My spouse will argue they contributed more (how?)

E3. Rehousing research

Optional. If you’ve looked into what it would cost to buy or rent if you needed to rehouse, tell us. For up to three properties: asking price (or rent), bedrooms, area, and a web link if you have one.

E4. Mortgage capacity

Optional. If a broker or online calculator has told you roughly how much you (or your spouse) could borrow, share the figure.

Section F: A Few Last Things

Almost done. These help us make sure the report covers what matters most to you.

F1. What advice or guidance have you already had?

Tick all that apply. If you’ve been told something specific, we want to address it (including if we think it’s wrong).

Initial advice from a solicitor Full legal advice Information from a mediator (such as a MIAM) Detailed work with a mediator A McKenzie friend or paralegal Friends, family or online Nothing formal yet

F2. Has anyone told you something specific you’d like us to test or confirm?

For example: ‘My solicitor said I’d get 60/40’, or ‘I was told pensions are always split 50/50’. The report will address it directly.

F3. What are you most worried about?

Tell us what’s most on your mind, the report will make sure to address it. Tick as many as apply.

Affording to rehouse Keeping the family home for the children Pensions, a fair share or keeping my own Managing financially long-term Maintenance, paying too much or getting too little Protecting assets I had before or inherited My spouse not being honest about money The cost and stress of the process Something else

F4. Is there anything else you would like the AI Barrister Review to take into account, or any specific question you would like it to answer?

Optional. For example, a family member with additional needs who lives with you, an expected inheritance, a health condition, or a particular worry about the settlement.

F5. Before we generate your report, please confirm:

The answers I’ve given are honest and complete, to the best of my knowledge. I understand this is information, not legal advice; not advice from a solicitor or barrister, and Family Law Service are not my legal representatives. Before any final decision I should consider taking formal legal advice. I understand my report is produced by an AI tool and is not individually checked by a person before it is sent to me.

F6. How would you like the names to appear on the report?

Initials only (default) First name only Full name, for you and, separately, for your spouse

F7. Where should we send the report?

Email Confirm email Must match the email above.

AI Barrister Review Questionnaire

Before You Start

The quality of your report depends on the information you provide

Important Information

Money Back Guarantee

Section A: Suitability Checks

Section B: Basic Facts

Section C: Financial Position

C1. The family home

C2. Other property

C3. Savings, accounts and investments

C4. Pensions

C5. Business interests

C6. Debts and liabilities

C7. Income

C8. Monthly outgoings

Section D: What You Want, and What You Think Your Spouse Wants

Section E: Context

Section F: A Few Last Things