How To Cut Financial Ties Following A Break-Up...

Untangling shared assets can make life more complicated if you split up, so this handy guide can help.

- Vicky Shaw

When you're going through a relationship break-up, money might be the last thing on your mind.

But there may be financial links which need to be broken.

Pearl Akintola, a consumer finance expert at credit information company Experian, says: "When going through the break-up checklist, blocking exes on socials is always top of the list but figuring out how to cut financial ties is usually at the bottom or gets snubbed."

She explains: "It's important that you financially disassociate yourself from your ex.

"If you don't take the necessary steps, then they will remain linked to your credit report, so their future spending and borrowing could impact your own financial opportunities."

Here is Pearl's guide for handling the different financial stages of a break-up:

1. The initial split

Pearl says while friends and family will "provide a shoulder to cry on", people may want to seek confidential help elsewhere for their finances, which could involve guidance from professionals.

She adds: "Services such as MoneyHelper [a Government-backed body] will help you understand your options and what next steps you should take supporting you throughout the process."

If you've been renting together, it's important to pay attention to your tenancy agreement.

Pearl says: "If you were living with your ex and were both named on the agreement tenants, as you're both liable for the rent until your agreement ends.