How I Can Help With Your Consent Order
Consent Order Drafting Support
Help understanding what a consent order must contain, how it should be structured, and what the court expects to see before approving it.
D81 Form Completion
Guidance completing the Statement of Information (D81) — the mandatory form that accompanies every consent order application to the court.
Clean Break vs Ongoing Orders
Understanding the difference between a clean break order (ending all financial ties) and ongoing maintenance or pension sharing arrangements.
Timeline & Process Guidance
What happens after you submit your consent order, what the court considers, and typical timescales from application to approval.
Why a Consent Order Matters
Without a court-approved consent order, either party can make future financial claims — even years after divorce. A consent order closes that door permanently.
Free Initial Consultation
A no-obligation call to understand your situation, what orders are appropriate, and whether you can proceed without a solicitor.
Why Getting This Right Matters
Many people reach an informal financial agreement at divorce and assume it's legally settled. It is not. Without a consent order sealed by the court, either party retains the legal right to make financial claims in the future — regardless of what was verbally or even informally agreed.
High-profile cases have seen ex-spouses successfully claim against former partners' lottery winnings, inheritances, and business growth — years or even decades after separation — because no consent order was ever put in place.
A consent order is not expensive to obtain and it provides permanent protection. It is one of the most important steps in finalising a divorce — and one of the most commonly overlooked.
Common Questions
You're unlikely to need everything below
Most people only need one or two of these, depending on how straightforward things are. Included so you have them to hand if you do.
Finding a McKenzie Friend
Bridge The Gap — A directory of McKenzie Friends supporting litigants in person, bridging the gap between legal procedure and public understanding.
Pension help
PODE.expert — Independent pension-on-divorce guidance, for when pensions need proper valuing rather than guessing.
Support and mortgage options
Help Network — Support for people going through separation and divorce, including mortgage capacity reports and options for buying alone afterwards.
Opening your financial claim (Form A)
Form A — Required even when you've agreed everything — you tick 'yes' under 'Type of application' to confirm it's by consent, and attach your draft order and D81 to it.
Recording an agreed settlement
Form D81 — The statement of information filed alongside a draft consent order once you've agreed terms.
Struggling with court fees
Get help paying court and tribunal fees (GOV.UK) — Fee remission if you're on a low income or certain benefits.
Mediation
Alliance Family Mediation — An option worth considering before or instead of a court application, where both sides are willing.
Solicitor support
Family First Solicitors — fees — For a sense of typical solicitor pricing, if you'd like advice or drafting help alongside your own.
Bridge the Gap — Further Reading