Earning Capacity Report
"Claire Deacon recently provided an Earning Capacity Report to assist a separated couple in mediation with me. There are often issues regarding work with disputes about how much a party might be able to work, and what level of income they might be expected to achieve. This is an issue where it is often challenging to find common ground so being able to obtain an expert report from an experienced professional really helped to inform their discussions so that they were able to find a way forward based on what was objectively realistic with regard to work. Claire’s report was thorough in having researched and evaluated all of the potential options based on the experience the person had. It also dealt with the question of the hours that were able to be worked together with the salary that might reasonably be expected, and the timeframe within which this was likely to be achieved. It was a really useful report that ultimately led to the parties being able to find a way forward."
Louisa Whitney, LKW Family Mediation
Often, in cases such as divorce or family mediation, one partner may have to return to work, increase their hours or change their whole career. Even if Spousal Maintenance is awarded, it is often for a limited period until the recipient can be expected to return to work full time. If the recipient of spousal maintenance has children, they will often be required to return to full time employment when all the children reach senior school.
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This is a cause of much contention in divorce cases and, often, emotions and resentment can cloud both parties' judgement of what is reasonable, fair and achieveable. Genuine barriers to working can often be overlooked or seen as making excuses.
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My Earning Capacity Report is an independent, professional assessment of an individual's capacity to work. It may contain research and analysis on roles that are appropriate for the individual to undertake, and it will also contain any barriers to working, returning to work or increasing one's hours. It is used in UK family law as a discussion aid during mediation to facilitate dispute resolution outside of Court.
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After a comprehensive interview with the client, the local job market will be analysed, together with a salary survey to gain an estimate of the salary an individual could achieve. It will include an estimation of the timescales involved for the person to return to work and the route they should take as well as childcare costs or other responsibilities that need to be taken into account.
But it is more than that - the report will also recommend any training, work experience or voluntary hours that should be undertaken to maximise an individual's earning capacity. Recommendations can be given for short, medium and long term working scenarios to give a realistic picture of someone's capacity to work. My recommendations take into account caring responsibilities, learning difficulties, health problems and confidence issues - they are researched and written in both a professional and compassionate way.
​I have 23 years of experience within recruitment and I am a qualified Career Coach, having trained with The Institute of Psychosynthesis. I have interviewed candidates from a multitude of industries, in many different countries and have worked for clients on a whole range of roles from Teaching Assistant to CEO. I have also been divorced myself and have represented myself in Court.
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In light of the 29th April 2024 non-court dispute resolution changes (which you can read about here), I only write reports originating from a joint instruction and where I have the opportunity to speak to both parties before I undertake my research and analysis of the job seeker. This is in the interest of full transparency and integrity to my commitment to non-court dispute resolution.
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Please call me for a free discussion to see if a report could be right for you. I am a qualified Coach with a specialism in careers and work so, if you need help with returning to work, confidence issues or simply figuring out who you are, post-divorce - please also get in touch.
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Please contact me for more information.
