Can My Ex Claim Money From My New Partner?

By Garry SteedmanPublished 16 September 2026Last reviewed 16 September 202610 mins read10 sections

Part of: Financial Settlement after Divorce

Can my ex claim money from my new partner is often a question raised when divorcing. You may be concerned that your former spouse could claim against your new partner’s income, savings or home, particularly if divorce finances have not yet been resolved.

In most cases, your former spouse cannot make a direct financial claim against your new partner simply because you are now in a relationship. Financial claims on divorce are ordinarily made between the former spouses or civil partners.

A new relationship can still be relevant to the financial outcome. The court may consider how your living arrangements affect your own income needs, household costs and housing position. That is different from making your new partner responsible for your former spouse.

By: Garry Steedman, Family Law Consultant
Legally reviewed by: Iblal Iqbal, Director, Kabir Family Law

Applies to England and Wales

Key Takeaways: Can My Ex Claim Money From My New Partner

• Your former spouse cannot usually make a direct financial claim against your new partner simply because you are in a relationship.
• Your new partner’s income, savings and property do not automatically become part of the assets considered in your divorce.
• A new relationship may still be relevant if it changes your living costs, housing arrangements or financial needs.
• Living with a new partner does not automatically end spousal maintenance, but it may be relevant to an application to vary an existing order.
• Remarriage can have important consequences for future financial claims and for some maintenance orders.
• If divorce finances remain unresolved, obtain advice before moving in together, buying property or remarrying.

Can My Ex Claim Money From My New Partner?

The answer to the question of can my ex claim money from my new partner is usually, no.

The court’s powers in divorce financial proceedings are generally directed at the people who were married to, or in a civil partnership with, each other. This means that your former spouse cannot ordinarily require your new partner to pay them a lump sum, transfer property or meet spousal-maintenance payments.

Your new partner’s income, savings, investments, pension and property do not automatically become part of the assets available for division.

However, there can be more complex issues where there is a dispute about the ownership of a particular asset, a substantial transfer of money, or the source of funds used to buy property. In those circumstances, the issue is not usually whether your former spouse can claim against the new partner personally. The issue is whether the transaction or arrangement is relevant to the finances of the former spouses.

Why A New Relationship May Still Matter

When deciding financial orders on divorce, the court must consider the statutory factors in section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. These include each former spouse’s income, earning capacity, property, financial resources, needs and responsibilities, as well as the needs of any children. 

A new partner’s money is not simply added to your own resources. However, the practical effect of a new relationship can sometimes be relevant.

If we share household costs, can my ex claim money from my new partner?

If you move in with a new partner and share rent, mortgage payments, bills or other household costs, your own expenditure may change. This may be relevant when the court assesses your financial needs, particularly where spousal maintenance is being considered.

The court will look at the circumstances of the case. It will not automatically assume that a new partner should support you or that cohabitation removes any need for maintenance.

Housing arrangements

A new living arrangement may also affect housing needs. For example, if you live in suitable accommodation owned by a new partner, your immediate requirement to rent or buy a separate home may be different from the position you would face if living alone.

This does not create a fixed rule about the division of the former matrimonial home. The court will consider all relevant circumstances, including the needs of any children, the financial resources available to each former spouse and the security of the new living arrangement.

Financial support and transfers

It is sensible to keep clear records if a new partner lends, gives or contributes a substantial sum of money while divorce finances are unresolved.

The purpose of a payment may become relevant where it affects your assets, liabilities, expenditure or ability to meet a financial settlement. This is particularly important when money is used towards a property deposit, legal costs, mortgage payments or another substantial expense.

A transfer may also be examined if it is alleged that it was made to frustrate a financial claim. The legal position will depend on the facts, the timing of the transaction and the evidence available.

Does Living With Someone New End Spousal Maintenance?

No. Living with a new partner does not automatically end spousal maintenance.

If the person receiving maintenance begins cohabiting with a new partner, the paying former spouse may apply to vary the order. The court can vary or discharge certain financial orders, but the outcome depends on the terms of the order and the circumstances of the parties.

The court may consider whether the recipient’s financial needs have changed. This can include whether their household expenses have reduced or whether they receive regular financial support from the new partner.

Cohabitation is not the same as remarriage. A new relationship is one factor among many and does not automatically determine whether maintenance will continue.

What If My Ex Remarries?

Remarriage can have more definite legal consequences than cohabitation.

A periodical-payments order in favour of a former spouse will normally cease when that person remarries or forms a civil partnership. Any arrears that were already due may remain payable. 

Remarriage can also affect the ability to make certain new financial claims arising from the previous marriage. This is particularly important where a divorce is final but financial matters have not been resolved by a court order.

Before remarrying, check whether a financial order is already in place and whether any claims remain open.

Does Divorce End Financial Claims?

A divorce order does not automatically resolve financial claims.

Money, property, pensions, savings, debts and maintenance should be dealt with through a financial agreement made binding by the court, or through a financial order made by the court.

Where former spouses agree how to divide their finances, they can apply for a consent order. A consent order records the agreement and makes it legally binding. 

If no financial order has been made, financial claims may remain unresolved. This can make major decisions in a new relationship more complicated, particularly moving in together, buying property, receiving a large sum of money or remarrying.

Can My Ex Ask For My New Partner’s Bank Statements?

Not automatically.

Financial disclosure obligations primarily apply to the former spouses in financial-remedy proceedings. Your new partner is not automatically required to provide the same level of personal financial information.

However, limited information about a new partner may sometimes be relevant. This could include information about the ownership of a property, the source of a substantial payment or the amount of a household expense where this is directly relevant to the issues in dispute.

Whether information is required will depend on the particular facts. A former spouse does not have a general right to examine every aspect of a new partner’s finances.

What If We Were Never Married, can my ex claim money from my new partner?

The position is different for unmarried couples.

If you were not married and did not form a civil partnership, the financial-remedy powers used on divorce do not apply simply because you lived together. This generally means that claims for spousal maintenance and pension sharing are not available under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

There may still be disputes about property ownership, contributions to a home, beneficial interests or financial provision for children. Those issues arise under different legal rules and require separate consideration.

Child Maintenance And New Partners

Child maintenance is separate from divorce finances and spousal maintenance.

The Child Maintenance Service generally calculates maintenance by reference to the paying parent’s gross income and the CMS formula. Your new partner’s income is not added to the paying parent’s income. 

The formula can take account of relevant children living in the paying parent’s household. This means that a new child or other relevant child may affect the calculation.

Should I Get A Clean Break Order?

A clean-break provision can dismiss specified future financial claims between former spouses. Its purpose is to provide finality once finances have been resolved.

The scope of a clean break matters. It may apply immediately or from a later date, and financial issues relating to children may need separate consideration.

Do not assume that a clean break exists because the divorce is final or because an informal agreement was reached. The terms of the court order should be checked carefully.

When Should I seek Legal Guidance?

It is sensible to obtain early advice if divorce finances are unresolved and you are about to make a major financial commitment with a new partner.

This may include moving in together, buying a home, accepting a substantial loan or gift, transferring assets, starting or responding to an application about spousal maintenance, or remarrying.

If a court application becomes necessary, a person will usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting before applying, unless a valid exemption applies. Exemptions may apply in circumstances including domestic abuse or urgency. 

Speak To Kabir Family Law

Kabir Family Law can help you understand the practical and legal issues to consider. Contact Kabir Family Law today on 0330 094 5880 to arrange your free consultation or book a time that suits you. Our family law specialists are at hand to guide you through the complete process from informal discussions, mediation and right through to court proceedings. Our family lawyers work around the clock and will be able to provide you with the advice and you need at a time to suit your needs.

FAQs: Can My Ex Claim Money From My New Partner

Can my ex take my new partner’s house?

Not simply because you are in a relationship. Your new partner’s home does not automatically become available for division in your divorce. However, living there may be relevant to your own housing needs.

Can my ex claim my new partner’s income?

Your new partner’s income is not automatically treated as your income. But shared household costs or regular financial support may be relevant to your own expenditure and needs.

Does moving in with a new partner end maintenance?

No. Cohabitation does not automatically end spousal maintenance. It may be relevant if it has materially changed the recipient’s financial needs or resources.

Can I buy a house with my new partner before my settlement is complete?

Yes, but it can complicate divorce finances. The source of the deposit, the intended ownership arrangements, your housing needs and any use of money connected with the previous marriage may all become relevant.

If my ex remarries, can my ex claim money from my new partner?

Remarriage can end future periodical payments and may prevent certain new financial claims. The position depends on the existing order and whether financial claims have already been resolved.