Financial Consent Order

Make your divorce financial agreement legally binding.

Our online consent order service is for couples in England and Wales who have agreed how to divide money, property, pensions or debts and want that agreement drafted properly, sent to court and approved by a judge.

Page guide

Find what you need quickly.

Start by checking whether a consent order is the right route, then see what the service includes, how the court process works, likely costs and what to do if you have not agreed finances yet.

This may fit

You and your ex have agreed the financial settlement and want it turned into a court-approved order.

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Consent order

This is for making an agreed financial settlement legally binding after or during divorce in England and Wales.

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Not agreed yet?

If you have not agreed finances, you may need negotiation, mediation or solicitor advice before a consent order can be drafted.

Plain English

What is a financial consent order?

A financial consent order is a court-approved document that records the financial agreement between you and your ex. Once approved, it can make the agreement legally binding.

It can cover things like the family home, savings, pensions, debts, maintenance and whether future financial claims should be dismissed.

Without a court-approved financial order, getting divorced does not automatically stop future financial claims. That is why many people need a consent order even when the divorce itself is simple.
1

You agree the finances

A consent order starts with agreement. You need to know what is happening with property, pensions, savings, debts or other finances.

2

A solicitor drafts the order

The agreement is turned into proper legal wording so the court can understand what you are asking it to approve.

3

The court reviews it

A judge considers whether the order appears fair and whether the financial information supports the agreement.

4

The order is approved

If approved, the order is sealed by the court and becomes legally binding.

This service may be right for you if...

Your divorce is being dealt with in England or Wales.
You and your ex have already agreed the financial settlement.
You want the agreement drafted into a proper financial consent order.
You are both willing to provide basic financial information for Form D81.
You want a fixed-fee online service instead of open-ended hourly solicitor costs.
You want clear instructions and support through the court approval process.

Another option may be better if...

!You have not agreed how finances will be divided.
!One person is hiding assets or refusing to provide financial information.
!There is pressure, abuse, coercion or you feel unable to negotiate safely.
!The agreement may be unfair, rushed or not properly understood by both people.
!There are complex business assets, overseas assets, trusts or disputed pensions.
!You need advice on what you should agree, not just drafting of what is already agreed.
What you get

A fixed-scope online consent order service.

The service is designed for people who already have a financial agreement and want it drafted, checked and submitted properly without paying thousands for a local solicitor where the case is suitable.

4

Online information collection

Both parties can provide the key financial details online without needing repeated face-to-face appointments.

5

Clear submission instructions

You receive simple instructions on how the order is submitted to court and what happens after submission.

6

Court query support

If the court raises a query, the planned service will support suitable amendments or next steps through solicitor support.

Step by step

How the consent order service works.

The process starts with your agreement. The service then turns that agreement into the documents the court needs to review.

Tell us what is agreed

You provide the details of the financial agreement, including what happens with property, pensions, savings, debts or maintenance.

Provide financial information

The court needs financial information from both people, usually through Form D81, so the judge can review the agreement.

The order is drafted

A solicitor drafts the consent order based on the agreement and prepares the supporting documents where suitable.

The court reviews it

The application is sent to the court. If approved, the judge seals the order and it becomes legally binding.

Recommended for agreed financial settlements

Online Financial Consent Order Service

The main option for people who have agreed the finances and want that agreement made legally binding without paying open-ended hourly solicitor costs.

Fixed-fee service Soon Pricing will be confirmed before launch. The current court fee for an application by consent for a financial order is £60.
Solicitor-drafted financial consent order for suitable agreed cases.
Support with Form D81 financial information.
Preparation or guidance for the court application documents.
Clear instructions for submitting the order to court.
Support if the court asks a question or requests an amendment.
Designed to be cheaper and clearer than open-ended local solicitor fees.
Costs

Consent order costs, without open-ended hourly fees.

The service is intended to be fixed-fee and clear before you start. The court fee is separate from the service fee.

Cost What it covers Price Good to know
Online Consent Order Service Divorces.co.uk service coming soon Solicitor-drafted consent order support for suitable agreed financial settlements in England and Wales. Coming soon Designed as a fixed-fee service for people who have already agreed finances.
Court consent order fee Paid to HMCTS The court fee for an application by consent for a financial order. £60 Court fee is separate from any drafting, advice or service fee.
Local solicitor route Traditional solicitor support A local solicitor drafts, advises and handles the consent order, often with more direct advice and meetings. Varies Often higher cost, but may be better for complex or higher-risk finances.
Financial remedy application Where finances are not agreed A contested court process where the court is asked to help decide financial arrangements. Separate Not a consent order service. This is for cases where agreement has not been reached.

The Online Consent Order Service is coming soon and pricing will be confirmed before launch. The court fee is currently £60 for an application by consent for a financial order, but fees can change.

Timescale

How long does a consent order take?

Timing depends on how quickly both people provide financial information, how complex the agreement is, and how long the court takes to review the order.

The court does not simply rubber-stamp every agreement. A judge reviews the draft order and the financial information before deciding whether to approve it.

Typical guide Weeks, not days Drafting, signing, Form D81 information and court review all affect the timeline.
1

Information collected

Both people provide the financial details needed to prepare the consent order and statement of information.

2

Order drafted

The agreement is drafted into legal wording and checked against the financial information provided.

3

Documents signed and submitted

The draft order and supporting documents are signed and sent to the court with the court fee.

4

Court approval

A judge reviews the application. If satisfied, the order is approved and sealed by the court.

Other options

A consent order is not the right route for everyone.

Consent orders are for agreed financial settlements. If the agreement is not ready, another route may be needed first.

Negotiate or mediate first

If you have not agreed finances yet, mediation or negotiation may help you reach a settlement before asking for a consent order.

Read about mediation →

Solicitor advice or financial remedy

If the case is complex, unsafe, disputed or one person refuses to provide information, solicitor advice or a court financial remedy route may be needed.

Find solicitor support →
Questions

Financial consent order FAQs.

Clear answers for people who have agreed finances and want to make the agreement legally binding.

Is this service for England and Wales only?

Yes. This page is about financial consent orders in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different legal procedures.

Do we need to have agreed finances first?

Yes. A consent order is for an agreement. If you have not agreed finances, you may need mediation, negotiation or solicitor advice first.

Does the court have to approve the order?

Yes. A judge reviews the draft consent order and financial information before deciding whether to approve it.

What is Form D81?

Form D81 is the statement of information used to give the court details about both parties’ financial situation so the judge can consider whether the proposed order is fair.

Can my ex claim money later without a consent order?

Divorce does not automatically dismiss financial claims. A properly approved financial order is often needed to deal with claims and provide legal certainty.

Is Divorces.co.uk a law firm?

No. Divorces.co.uk is an information website and is not a law firm. The planned consent order service will require appropriate solicitor support where legal drafting or advice is involved.