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Here are the rules for a better outcome.

1. Was there a pre-nup? If so go to step 3.

2. Divide equally all they had at the time of the split - not the divorce - including pension rights but excluding future inheritances, which might or might not come to fruition. Abolish periodical payments; clean break in every case.

3. If immediate application of the rules would cause unacceptable hardship to minor children of both parties (not of one party) postpone it until that is no longer the case - which will at the latest be when the youngest turns 18 - and no longer.

4. No orders for costs inter partes except that Part 36 should be applied - again postponing payment of the costs if immediate payment would cause unacceptable hardship to minor children of both parties, but then imposing interest at a penal rate.

5. Abrogate Vince; introduce a time limit of three years from decree nisi, not extendible except when service of the petition was dispensed with; then it must run from when the respondent learns of the proceedings. But even then the measure should be half of what they had when they split.

6. And finally: lump sum payments should be provable as debts in bankruptcy and released by discharge; but they should not rank for dividend until all the other creditors have been paid in full.

It's not rocket science.