Most couples, when their marriage or civil partnership ends, are able to agree both what they have, and what each of them should receive out of what they have, which is referred to as computation and distribution. Of those who cannot reach overall agreement, many at least agree what they have, albeit not how it should be divided up.

For example, one party will argue (usually without success) that they have made some "special contribution" to the marriage justifying some greater proportion. Or they will seek to rely (much more likely to be successful) on a nuptial agreement which defines that they should receive more than the othe...