Going through a divorce can be extremely tough emotionally, but it can take a huge toll on your finances as well, says Allan Gray's Mlulami Nxele.
Getting divorced is a relatively straightforward process, although the emotional and financial implications are often enormous. Because a marriage must be dissolved by a court, it can take a long time before the matter is settled – and many estranged couples may find they are already out of pocket by then.
Divorce often sees the average investor making emotional monetary decisions, which can have a lasting financiSal impact, says Mlulami Nxele, legal advisor at Allan Gray.
“When you're experiencing the trauma of divorce, it is difficult to not act emotionally. In addition, the prospect of living off one salary may tempt you to dip into your savings. But acting wisely during this time is important to keeping your financial stability intact,” he says.
There are typically two types of divorce in South Africa: the contested or opposed divorce, which can take two to three years to finalise, and the uncontested divorce, which is much simpler, quicker and cost effective. How you divide your assets with your spouse will depend on which marriage contract you have – either in community of property (where you split your assets and debts equally) or out of community of property (where “what's yours is yours and what's mine is mine”) either with or without accrual.
Preserve your savings
While a contract helps to determine what will happen to your assets during a divorce, as well as protect you, there are still some financial decisions you may make that may disadvantage you in the long-term, during the divorce proceedings. Despite the enormity of this transition, it's important that you make the right financial decisions, Nxele advises.
“Only a small percentage of investors who receive a share of their former spouse’s retirement savings are preserving the money in tax-incentivised retirement-savings vehicles,” he says. “The rest are taking the cash.”
Even though legal fees may have left you feeling cash-strapped, consider the long-term consequences of withdrawing your savings. “We especially encourage investors not to be tempted to dip into their retirement savings. Withdrawing funds from your savings before you retire not only reduces the tax-free amount available to you when you retire, but also causes the benefit that you take at retirement to be taxed at a higher rate.”
Know your net worth
If you're in the process of divorcing, you can be proactive to stay on top of your financial situation.
“You'll need to know what you and your spouse are worth together and what you and your spouse are worth on your own,” says Nxele.
To calculate your net worth, you'll need to ascertain what your assets are worth and then subtract your liabilities. The value of your assets will depend on your type of marriage contract. If you’re married out of community of property, each spouse’s assets are considered their own. If you’re married in community of property, your assets are made up of 50% of the joint estate.
“Be sure to evaluate the future as well as the current value of your assets,” says Nxele. “And thoroughly think through the impact of your decisions.”
Keeping the house you've lived in for years may seem like the right thing to do, but make sure it also makes sense financially. “If you bought the house with two incomes, keeping up with mortgage payments on one income may be tough or even impossible,” comments Nxele.
The cost of maintaining the house, as well as monthly rate and utility bills, may become too onerous for you alone.
“Although it may be difficult, it's important that couples cooperate as much as they can during a divorce to ensure a favourable financial outcome for both parties. If you are uncertain what financial decisions will be best for you, consider consulting with an authorised financial adviser,” concluded Nxele.