Ep 34: Life After Divorce: Housing, Money & Rebuilding Financial Security

In Part 1 of a two part episode, host Melissa Boyle sits downwith Dublin‑based family‑law specialist Muriel Walls to unpack the financial steps you should take after a divorce. What you’ll learn• Full financial disclosure – the Affidavit of Means and why you need payslips, income summaries, mortgage statement and pension snapshot on the table.• What to do with the family home – keeping it for theyoungest child, selling it, or buying out the ex‑spouse; how the bank looks only at the money, not the relationship.• Mortgage & rent logistics – who pays the mortgage if oneparent stays, the other rents, and realistic budgeting for utilities, groceries, and discretionary spend.• Joint accounts & utility split – practical steps toclose joint bank accounts, re‑assign direct debits, and avoid the “grind” of post‑divorce finance.• Spousal maintenance – when it’s realistic, the importance ofreturning to work, PRSI contributions, and the gender gap in Irish pension provision.• Pensions & old‑age pension – why early contributionsmatter, the value of PRSI, and how a stay‑at‑home parent can protect future retirement income.• Life‑insurance & mortgage‑protection – mandatorypolicies for a new mortgage, the extra peace‑of‑mind of a separate life cover, and the pitfalls of waiting until later in life.• Wills & Trusts for children – why a fresh will is essential post‑divorce, the basics of a “will‑trust”, appointing two trustees, and the cost‑benefit of using a solicitor as a professional trustee.Resources• Muriel Walls Solicitor – https://www.murielwalls.ie• Citizens Information – guide to Affidavit of Means & single‑parent child‑care tax credit• Irish Pensions Authority – https://www.pensionsauthority.ieTimestamps / Chapter Markers0:00 – Intro & welcome1:45 – Muriel’s background3:30 – Disclosure of assets: Affidavit of Means6:20 – Deciding the fate of the family house9:45 – Mortgage payment scenarios (stay‑in‑home vs rent)12:15 – Joint accounts & utility split – step‑by‑step checklist15:10 – Spousal maintenance realities & return‑to‑work advice18:30 – Pensions, PRSI & gender disparity22:05 – Life‑insurance & mortgage‑protection policies26:00 – Wills, trusts & appointing trustees30:20 – Professional trustees – cost considerations (END of Part 1)✅Like ✅Subscribe ✅Hit the bell to get notified when Part 2 drops (covering co‑habitation, prenuptial agreements, tax, and long‑term succession planning).📢Share this video with anyone navigating a divorce – solid finance knowledge makes the painful process a lot smoother.