Financial Divorce Coach UK | Money Support During Separation

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Simonne Gnessen (East Sussex)

Finance Coach

About Simonne

I’m Simonne Gnessen, founder of Wise Monkey Financial Coaching, and I support people through some of the most emotionally and financially overwhelming periods of their lives - including separation and divorce.

Before becoming a financial coach, I spent many years working as a financial adviser, but over time I realised that what people often needed most wasn’t just technical advice. They needed space to think clearly again. They needed someone who could help them untangle the emotional side of money alongside the practical realities. That’s what led me to pioneer one of the first financial coaching practices in the UK over 24 years ago.

Divorce can turn life upside down. Even highly capable people can suddenly find themselves feeling anxious, frozen, avoidant, or completely overwhelmed by decisions they never expected to face. I work with individuals - and sometimes couples together - to help bring calm, clarity, and confidence to the financial side of separation, while also supporting the emotional adjustment that comes with rebuilding life afterwards.

Many of the people I work with are dealing with questions like:

How will I afford to live on my own?
How do we budget for two households?
What’s fair?
How do I stop money conversations turning into conflict?
What if I’ve never really managed the finances before?
How do I protect the children while also protecting myself?
How do I rebuild financially after everything has changed?

Sometimes there’s shame about past financial decisions. Sometimes there’s fear about the future. Sometimes one person has always taken the lead with money, leaving the other feeling disempowered or anxious. And often, beneath the spreadsheets and practical decisions, there’s grief, guilt, anger, fear, or a loss of identity.

My role is not to tell you what to do or sell financial products. I act as a calm, neutral guide who helps you make sense of your financial situation, understand your options, and move forwards in a more grounded and empowered way.

That might involve helping you organise and understand your finances in plain English, creating realistic budgets for life after separation, exploring different future scenarios, or thinking through practical decisions around housing, pensions, work, or family finances.

For some clients, a few sessions are enough to create significant shifts - helping them feel calmer, clearer, and more able to make decisions. Others choose longer-term support as they move through separation and begin rebuilding the next chapter of their lives. There’s no “right” timeline, because every situation is different. My work is designed to meet people where they are.

I also work with couples who want support navigating difficult financial conversations in a more constructive way. In these situations, my role is to help create a shared language around money, encourage understanding of each other’s perspectives, and support calmer, more informed decision-making.

One of the things clients often tell me is that they feel able to talk openly with me about money in a way they haven’t elsewhere. Money can carry so much judgement, shame, fear, and pressure, particularly during divorce. My approach is warm, practical, and non-judgemental. I believe financial wellbeing isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet - it’s also about helping people feel safer, stronger, and more in control of their future.

Sessions are held online via Zoom, and I work with clients across the UK. Some people come for a single focused session, while others choose ongoing support. My fees are currently £150 plus VAT for individuals and £160 plus VAT for couples, with a minimum of 2 hours for a first session, but I’m always happy to arrange time for an initial conversation to explore whether financial coaching feels like the right fit for you.

Divorce can feel like an ending, but it can also become the beginning of a very different relationship with money, confidence, and yourself. My aim is to help people move through this period with greater clarity, self-trust, and hope about what comes next.

Testimonials

“Simonne helped me untangle years of financial anxiety and avoidance in a way that felt safe, practical and empowering.”

“What stood out most was how non-judgemental and grounding the sessions felt during such an overwhelming period.”

“I came away not only understanding my finances better, but feeling more confident in myself and my future.”

How I can Help

Practical and emotional support to help you make confident financial decisions during and after relationship breakdown.
Creating realistic plans for managing money, housing, and future financial security after separation.
Helping you make sense of complex financial information in plain English so you can feel more informed and empowered.
Helping you move from fear, confusion or procrastination towards greater clarity, confidence and action.
Supporting couples to have calmer, more constructive conversations about money, fairness and future planning.
Helping you rebuild confidence, independence and a healthier relationship with money after divorce or transition.
A warm, non-judgemental space to ask questions, build understanding and feel more in control financially.
Exploring different financial possibilities and helping you think through your options with greater clarity.
Helping freelancers, sole traders and business owners navigate financial uncertainty and plan more confidently.
Flexible financial coaching support to help you stay focused, motivated and financially organised as life evolves.