Your settlement checklist
For couples who've already agreed how to split their money and property, but haven't had it checked by a court — and might not have filed for divorce yet. Work through it at your own pace; your progress is saved on this device.
Your settlement checklist
From your private agreement to a sealed, binding court order.
You don't need to have started your divorce to use this checklist.
You've worked out how to divide your money and property between you. This checklist helps you turn that private agreement into something a court checks and makes legally binding — a consent order. You can prepare almost everything before any divorce is filed. The one point to know: the court can only seal your consent order once a Conditional Order has been granted.
Where are you with the divorce process?
Sense-check your agreement
Make sure the deal is sound before you commit to paperwork
You've agreed who gets what. This stage makes sure nothing vital has been missed — especially pensions — and that the split is fair, not merely equal.
Understand the paperwork
The key documents that turn your agreement into something the court can approve
Three documents do most of the work. Knowing what each one is for makes the drafting stage far less intimidating.
Get it drafted and filed
Turn the checked agreement into a sealed, binding court order
This is where it becomes legally binding. Precision and the right sequence matter — and you'll need at least a conditional order in the divorce before the court can seal your consent order.
Ready to act on any of this?
Here's where to actually go for each piece — pensions, mortgages, the forms themselves, fee help, mediation, or a solicitor.
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.